Dead Car Battery (Page 2): If it is not locked, you can open it even if the battery is dead. Most cars can be locked and unlocked manually. I imagine that, with all of the safety...

TheShoe Loc: Lacey, WA

BebuLamar wrote:

With no power the windows can't go up or down but if you can't lock the doors then you can't open it either and it's a very dangerous situation.
https://www.corvetteblogger.com/2015/06/10/a-texas-man-and-his-dog-die-after-becoming-trapped-in-his-2007-corvette/

If it is not locked, you can open it even if the battery is dead. Most cars can be locked and unlocked manually. I imagine that, with all of the safety regulations in this country, there is one requiring manual capability to unlock and open the doors from the inside. After all, there is a requirement to provide a way to open the trunk from inside. It is far more likely that a person will be in the passenger compartment than in the trunk.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

SteveFranz wrote:

I believe it is an issue with the current (pun intended) generation of lead acid batteries. I don't think I mistreat my batteries, but several times now I have had batteries die as they approach their end of warranty time. My car will start & run just fine. I'll shut it off, and 5 minutes or an hour later the battery is totally dead. Door won't unlock, dashboard won't light up - nothing. Just a sudden & total loss of juice.

Maybe a rust spot or corrosion on a fusible link, fuse or at the connection to the battery or starter? When that happens, do you check the voltage at the battery? An inexpensive LED voltmeter with USB ports that plugs into the cigarette lighter will tell you what’s going on. They cost $10-12 and mine even reads out the charging current of any device plugged into a USB port as well as the battery and alternator voltage. Highly recommended.

For years, certain manufacturers have put batteries in the trunk where they aren’t subjected to heat which makes a huge difference. My Mercedes OEM AGM battery lasted 16 years (seriously). I’ll be surprised if the replacement (an Interstate Battery) lasts as long

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

TriX wrote:

Maybe a rust spot or corrosion on a fusible link, fuse or at the connection to the battery or starter? When that happens, do you check the voltage at the battery? An inexpensive LED voltmeter with USB ports that plugs into the cigarette lighter will tell you what’s going on. They cost $10-12 and mine even reads out the charging current of any device plugged into a USB port as well as the battery and alternator voltage. Highly recommended.

Just to clarify, it reads alternator output when car is running, battery voltage when car is not running.
It can't do both at the same time.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Longshadow wrote:

Just to clarify, it reads alternator output when car is running, battery voltage when car is not running.
It can't do both at the same time.

Yes. It reads whatever is on the internal bus - the battery when not running and the alternator output when running. The battery voltage will tell you the state of charge, and checking the difference between when you cut off the car and when you restart it the next day will give you an insight into excessive battery drain overnight. It’s not a substitute for a DMM for troubleshooting (every tool box needs one), but it’s always there. We used to have ammeters (or voltmeters) in cars, but now we just have an idiot light that MAY tell you if the alternator isn’t charging. I miss oil pressure gauges on most cars as well.

ELNikkor

Longshadow wrote:

I had that happen once YEARS ago after about 4 years on a battery. Started, went to the store, came out of the store, nada.
Shorted cell. happens randomly with age, and no forewarning.

"Shorted cell? Happens randomly with age?" yeah, I've noticed a few of those lately...

Bunko.T Loc: Western Australia.

jerryc41 wrote:

Someone online was driving a relative's car, and the battery went completely dead. He couldn't close the windows or lock the car, so he had to stay with it. He called AAA, and the guy said the battery was beyond help, so he bought a new one. I had never thought about a dead battery preventing the windows to close or the doors to lock.

I carry one of those little ni-cad battery jumpers in my car.

Just think of the EV batteries, chances are, if they decide to spit the dummy, you’ll be cremated in the process.
No new batteries required. Give me the good old Lead/Acid, if they conk out, AAA can sell & fit a new one.

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

jerryc41 wrote:

Someone online was driving a relative's car, and the battery went completely dead. He couldn't close the windows or lock the car, so he had to stay with it. He called AAA, and the guy said the battery was beyond help, so he bought a new one. I had never thought about a dead battery preventing the windows to close or the doors to lock.

I carry one of those little ni-cad battery jumpers in my car.

Good idea, because these new cars with computer running everything quit without warning when the battery gets too low.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

ELNikkor wrote:

"Shorted cell? Happens randomly with age?" yeah, I've noticed a few of those lately...

Warhorse Loc: SE Michigan

therwol wrote:

If the car plunges into a river, the pressure of t... (show quote)

Thanks for this link, I just bought a two pack for less than $10. Cheap insurance if you ask me.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

BebuLamar wrote:

With no power the windows can't go up or down but if you can't lock the doors then you can't open it either and it's a very dangerous situation.
https://www.corvetteblogger.com/2015/06/10/a-texas-man-and-his-dog-die-after-becoming-trapped-in-his-2007-corvette/

That sounds like a lawsuit.

agillot

The alternator died first , and within a small time the battery will discharge while driving.

BebuLamar

jerryc41 wrote:

That sounds like a lawsuit.

I don't know if there was the law suit but the guy did die in his new corvette just because he didn't know how to unlock the door without power. I know it's possible to unlock the door without power but I don't know how as I don't own such a car.

sodapop Loc: Bel Air, MD

When a battery reads less than 10.5 volts it degrades rapidly after that

home brewer Loc: Fort Wayne, Indiana

I think I will just start open carry

george19

jerryc41 wrote:

Someone online was driving a relative's car, and the battery went completely dead. He couldn't close the windows or lock the car, so he had to stay with it. He called AAA, and the guy said the battery was beyond help, so he bought a new one. I had never thought about a dead battery preventing the windows to close or the doors to lock.

I carry one of those little ni-cad battery jumpers in my car.

Battery in my hybrid died a few years ago. I couldn’t open the trunk to get the jumper cables. They now live under the driver’s seat.

I hear you can’t open the charging port cover on a Tesla without power, so you are doubly stuck.