[noahlizard]

Hello all:

 

My 92 968 would not start, had to recharge the battery. Car started, but when I turned on the head lights the engine shut off!

 

HELP!!!!

Ron

 

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[J.Elenbaas]

Might be the battery is in a bad condition and the alternator not charging it sufficiently anymore.

 

I had this last year with my sons car, while he was parking it went dead, changed the alternator and all good again.

Due to consumption (headlights etc.) the battery gets drained too quick, and the alternator is not supplying enough juice to the battery.

 

Check the battery condition

Check the alternator on voltage delivery in good condition it should deliver between 13.8 and 14.8 Volt to the battery.

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[ds968]

Batteries go bad after a while  ( 5-7 years is typically the lifespan ) , and become incapable of holding a sufficient charge , even if the alternator puts out enough voltage, or you have it on a trickle charger ..they simply won’t hold an adequate charge .   Make sure you test the battery under load not just simply its volts at rest, or even while running with the alternator charging it .   Before you throw a lot of money ( parts and labor ) for a new alternator,  the battery test should be the first step, it’s not expensive to replace it .    

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[lbpesq]

I recently replaced my battery.  The symptoms were that it would only hold a charge for a day or two, then I’d have to jump start the car.   After driving for 1/2 an hour the battery seemed fine, but a day or two later wouldn’t start the car.   I tested to see if there was a trickle drain and there wasn’t.   A new battery instantly fixed the problem.  The old battery was about 10 years old.

 

Bill

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[Roboman]

Go from easiest/cheapest to hardest/most expensive.  Borrow a newish battery and see what happens. If all seems okay then investigate the old battery .... if dud then exchange, if okay then alternator or other (pop up causing problem mechanically).  If alternator, has the harness been changed (see thread on this) .... if not then do this anyway to save replacing your garage door, neighbour's car, if yes then investigate alternator .... lots to go wrong here.

 

Good luck, but it doesn't sound too bad. Comment about wiring harness is not a joke, see the thread .... https://www.968forums.com/topic/16302-fa...%2Bharness

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[Inkedupfatboy]

DS - Um have you priced batteries lately? They are indeed expensive.

Even the stupid AA's are $29.99 for a pack of 16 at the hardware store now.


I agree they don't last and should be a first look. If you get 5 years out of one in Florida that's doing well.

I forecast many that go down this year as our temps has gone pas 90 degrees nearly daily for the last several weeks.

 

Or, just don't drive at night...I quit doing that quite a while ago. Not that I can't, I just can't find anywhere interesting to go after dinner anymore.

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[ds968]

I replaced my 968 battery last month .. $ 240 .    Interstate which is the best on the market, IMO  .. ( Delco, Optima , Odyssey , are excellent  but not par with Interstate ..again IMO, and based on my experience with various batteries for 50+ years in countless cars ) 

$ 240 is cheap .     And yes, daily use batteries ( aaa, aa, C, D,   9 v, etc ) are insanely expensive !   

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[Inkedupfatboy]

Interstate? Really? I gave up on them long ago. Too many bad experiences.

I don't remember what my mechanic puts into my car, I would have to go out and pop the hood.

Down here we are going to have a bad season - the other day it was 102 out. I bet we see a lot of them die this year.

At least if you buy daily use batts during tax season holiday for hurricanes you can save a bit but of course 9 volts don't get a break.

Figures - We wouldn't want anyone to actually be motivated to change the smoke alarm batteries out ...

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[ds968]

Yup , I’ve had Interstate batteries in all my cars for as long as I remember .. And I never use a trickle charger unless the car sits for more than a month without being driven.,   I keep reading on car forums that batteries die after 3-5 years max, even with daily driving use .  I’ve never had an Interstate last less than 7 to 9 years .   Freezing cold or extreme heat weather , and they never failed me .   

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[Inkedupfatboy]

Glad you can get that out of them. I gave up on interstate a long time ago. You must have some serious battery mojo.

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[ds968]

There are two different type and qualities of Interstate batteries ; the ones manufactured in Mexico which have the Intestate label and are sold mostly at Costco , Walmart, and similar mega-discount national chains, various auto shops and pats stores bought from distributors , and which cheap and substandard plates, and other components ,  and the ones from Interstate locations themselves ( the only ones I buy ) which are manufactured in Germany and which are top notch quality.  

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[noahlizard]

After the battery was recharged, it held the charge even after 3 weeks. Car starts every time  and shuts off when head lights are turned on. The wipers also start and stop on their own. Battery is fine,

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[unknown4u]

Perhaps a groundproblem, also disconnect the fuses of the headlamp side by side to eliminate and to find into witch loom the problem has to be solved

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[Inkedupfatboy]

If you don't have one, get yourself a trickle charger. When mine is in the garage, it's always on one...

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[Waylander]

Check you alternator harness!!

Before the car departs on its own

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