Not sure where to start

stwbw · 07-30-2009, 05:56 AM

I was driving my wife 96' ford escort when the radio, gauges and air went dead, but the car was still driving. I got about 30 miles and the motor got rough so I pulled over. The postive side of the battery was loose so I tighten it, went to start it and nothing. Called my father-in-law and he brought another battery but we tried boasting it instead and way it went. Drove another 10 miles and the same thing happened, radio display, gauge quite then motor stalled. We changed the battery drove 20 miles to a small town mall and parked it, we are going back today to try and get it home. Any Ideas on why this is happening.

BroncoJoe19 · 07-30-2009, 06:36 AM

Absolutely.

You have a dead battery. The engine and electrical system needs 12 volts to run. The engine drains the battery as it runs. IT should be charged and maintained by your alternator. IF the alternator is bad, the battery will drain. IF the connections to the battery are bad, although the alternator may function, it may not be able to put the energy back into the battery.

While you jump started the engine, you put a little energy back into it, but not enough to allow the engine to run more than a few minutes.

Clear?

taz4x4150 · 07-30-2009, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stwbw

We changed the battery drove 20 miles to a small town mall and parked it, we are going back today to try and get it home. Any Ideas on why this is happening.

I agree with BroncoJoe on 1st battery being dead due to loose cable. Try to start car with the 2nd battery you installed. If it starts - buy a new battery.
If it doesn't start - check your alternater, battery cables clean & tight on both ends of cable. If you have an AUTOZONE near by they will check it for free.
GOOD LUCK

stwbw · 07-30-2009, 01:48 PM

I think you were right. Drove home with no problem (about 50 miles, 45 min. drive, my father-in-law was behind me and I had to drive slow so he could keep up) and had the battery tested, 85 amps when they started and when they tried to charge it, it kick off.

My many thanks for your quick reply.

stwbw · 07-30-2009, 01:48 PM

Sorry, I drove home on a new battery.