2004 cold start issues---BATTERY?

FreshAir · 11-09-2009, 02:36 PM

Hi! I originally joined s2ki in 2007...so I'm not exactly a newbie to these forums.

I live in CA in the "gold country" at an altitude of 2700 ft. The weather has recently turned cold (by CA stds, 40 degrees at night, increased humidity from 20 percent to 85 percent). The last four starts have been slow. (Over one week)

Today my s2000 started immediately after not driving for 9 days. I drove it 6 miles. After sitting for 1-1/2 hrs it wouldn't turn over, just hrump-hrupmh. I waited ten minutes. Same problem. Waited 5 more minutes, but gave a pump of the gas pedal. It started immediately. Did not run rough.

I have had regular maintenance, the latest being April 2009. I bought the car NOV 2007 with 5,700 miles. It now has 14k. Driving is usually 2-3 times a week, country driving, rarely over 50 miles per hour, usually 15 miles round trip, avg speed 35 miles per hour (what a shame!).

I buy Supreme gas (in CA $3.89 gal!) but it is from a no-name station. (There aren't many choices here). Maybe bad fuel? I wait until the tank is nearly empty before refilling...a tank usually last 3-4 weeks for me...maybe a clog in the fuel filter?

Is the issue temp/humidity? Or not enough long drives?

The easy solution (which is almost always the issue) is just that I have an original battery that is at the end of its life.

BUT if anyone else has experiences with this issue and has a suggestion, PLEASE let me know!

mlc · 11-09-2009, 04:03 PM

If you still have the factory battery that isn't a bad place to start. You can take it out and bring it to most auto parts stores and they can bench test to see if it is is good. The battery is 5+ years old and sits for long periods of time.

Kevin

FreshAir · 11-09-2009, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlc

If you still have the factory battery that isn't a bad place to start. You can take it out and bring it to most auto parts stores and they can bench test to see if it is is good. The battery is 5+ years old and sits for long periods of time.

Kevin

Yes, I'm believing it is the battery. I put a recharger on it and the charger is showing that the battery is "discharged". Bummer. I have had many batteries that lasted over ten years. I suppose I should thank my lucky stars.
If it is the bat, certainly an easy fix.

But if anyone still has something more drastic that could be the prob, I'd rather hear about it now than in Feb in a snowbank!

Thnx, mlc!

FreshAir

skatepozer23 · 11-09-2009, 05:49 PM

If its not the battery then it could be a faulting electrical system, or the starter motor is going bad, ECU is a long shot but it could be faulting too

JDMzimbo · 11-09-2009, 06:08 PM

yea, sounds like the battery. Oh and welcome to the site man!

FreshAir · 11-10-2009, 10:51 AM

I'll keep all this in mind. Right now the battery has been recharged. Later today I'll do a start and drive for about 15 miles (30 mi RT). I'll see what happens when I try to restart. I'll try MLC's suggestion also later this week.

Thanks for the suggestions! FreshAir

BTW JDM-I like the wheels! I'm going to look into replacing my stock rims with the Enkel. My rims have a few curb scrapes. I don't want folks thinking I did that!
Have you considered replacing your amber side markers with clear? I did that and it gives a bit of "personality" at night.

rob1308 · 12-22-2009, 10:06 AM

Can you check the water level in the battery? If its low add some, that will help the charging situation.

gomarlins3 · 12-22-2009, 10:09 AM

^Hahaha, or you could just have the battery checked at a local auto parts place.

Check the water level, that's funny.

flyingarmadillo · 12-22-2009, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FreshAir

I'll keep all this in mind. Right now the battery has been recharged. Later today I'll do a start and drive for about 15 miles (30 mi RT). I'll see what happens when I try to restart. I'll try MLC's suggestion also later this week.

Thanks for the suggestions! FreshAir

...

My OE battery lasted 16 months so they aren't very strong. Also, that amount of driving probably isn't enough to fully charge the battery paticularly if you're driving at night. Give it a full charge, but I'll bet it doesn't last for more than a couple months even if it does take the charge.

gomarlins3 · 12-22-2009, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyingarmadillo

My OE battery lasted 16 months so they aren't very strong.

My OEM battery lasted 6 YEARS and four months to the day, so that statement isn't exactly true.

kgf3076 · 12-23-2009, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyingarmadillo

My OE battery lasted 16 months so they aren't very strong. Also, that amount of driving probably isn't enough to fully charge the battery paticularly if you're driving at night. Give it a full charge, but I'll bet it doesn't last for more than a couple months even if it does take the charge.

I changed my OEM battery in July. Five years and six months worth and if I hadn't installed a new HU and amp, it would still be in the car.

kgf3076 · 12-23-2009, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FreshAir

Right now the battery has been recharged. Later today I'll do a start and drive for about 15 miles (30 mi RT).

That may not be enough to really recharge the battery. After my car has been sitting for a couple of weeks, I take it out for a high speed drive on the beltway. One partial loop around the beltway at 65 to 70mph and it's fully charged (I drive about 50 miles round trip. I think the secret is the constant speed

)

11-09-2009, 02:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
FreshAir JR member, but SR citizen Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Gold Country, CA Posts: 4	2004 cold start issues---BATTERY? Hi! I originally joined s2ki in 2007...so I'm not exactly a newbie to these forums. I live in CA in the "gold country" at an altitude of 2700 ft. The weather has recently turned cold (by CA stds, 40 degrees at night, increased humidity from 20 percent to 85 percent). The last four starts have been slow. (Over one week) Today my s2000 started immediately after not driving for 9 days. I drove it 6 miles. After sitting for 1-1/2 hrs it wouldn't turn over, just hrump-hrupmh. I waited ten minutes. Same problem. Waited 5 more minutes, but gave a pump of the gas pedal. It started immediately. Did not run rough. I have had regular maintenance, the latest being April 2009. I bought the car NOV 2007 with 5,700 miles. It now has 14k. Driving is usually 2-3 times a week, country driving, rarely over 50 miles per hour, usually 15 miles round trip, avg speed 35 miles per hour (what a shame!). I buy Supreme gas (in CA $3.89 gal!) but it is from a no-name station. (There aren't many choices here). Maybe bad fuel? I wait until the tank is nearly empty before refilling...a tank usually last 3-4 weeks for me...maybe a clog in the fuel filter? Is the issue temp/humidity? Or not enough long drives? The easy solution (which is almost always the issue) is just that I have an original battery that is at the end of its life. BUT if anyone else has experiences with this issue and has a suggestion, PLEASE let me know!

11-09-2009, 06:08 PM	#5 (permalink)
JDMzimbo s2k4life Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Boerne, Texas Posts: 956	yea, sounds like the battery. Oh and welcome to the site man! __________________ Mods: HKS Highpower Dual Invidia Test Pipe ARC Intake and Induction Box Eibach Springs Momo Shift Knob Rota D2 Wheels Mugen Rep. Bumper More To Come.....

12-22-2009, 10:09 AM	#8 (permalink)
gomarlins3 "Enjoy the drive" Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Kuna Idaho Posts: 4,691	^Hahaha, or you could just have the battery checked at a local auto parts place. Check the water level, that's funny. __________________ Yablownowitz Racing brought to you by Anytime Fitness. Happiness is a nice road, great weather, and driving the S with Sue in the seat next to me. "Whatever you do, where ever you go, enjoy the drive." I know for a FACT that the last year of production of the S2000 is 2003!!!!! After that, it will be the S2200 under an assumed name.

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11-09-2009, 04:03 PM	#2 (permalink)
mlc Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Wake Forest, NC Posts: 323	If you still have the factory battery that isn't a bad place to start. You can take it out and bring it to most auto parts stores and they can bench test to see if it is is good. The battery is 5+ years old and sits for long periods of time. Kevin

11-09-2009, 05:49 PM	#4 (permalink)
skatepozer23 Enthused Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 99	If its not the battery then it could be a faulting electrical system, or the starter motor is going bad, ECU is a long shot but it could be faulting too

11-10-2009, 10:51 AM	#6 (permalink)
FreshAir JR member, but SR citizen Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Gold Country, CA Posts: 4	I'll keep all this in mind. Right now the battery has been recharged. Later today I'll do a start and drive for about 15 miles (30 mi RT). I'll see what happens when I try to restart. I'll try MLC's suggestion also later this week. Thanks for the suggestions! FreshAir BTW JDM-I like the wheels! I'm going to look into replacing my stock rims with the Enkel. My rims have a few curb scrapes. I don't want folks thinking I did that! Have you considered replacing your amber side markers with clear? I did that and it gives a bit of "personality" at night.

12-22-2009, 10:06 AM	#7 (permalink)
rob1308 Banned Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: St. Petersburg, FL Posts: 41	Can you check the water level in the battery? If its low add some, that will help the charging situation.