Car won't start - battery?

[S-Driver]

Car is an '03 MCS....

Last time it ran was a week ago, no problems. Car is not a daily driver - fun car only. Car isn't used during the winter months but is on a trickle charger.

Today while I went to start it all's I got was either nothing or clicking after turning the key. I've had it on a charger for two hours now and the interior lights are strong when the door opens but when the key is turned I get all the normal pre-engine firing noises. But turn the key all the way to start it and it clicks. Dash lights all light up. It's the original OEM battery....

I've seen other threads where the battery may have just died all of a sudden. The indicator on top of the battery is still green.

Car just won't turn over, just clicks....

Ideas??? Just buy a new battery???


thanks.

[Rich.Wolfson]

Originally Posted by S-Driver

Car is an '03 MCS....

Last time it ran was a week ago...It's the original OEM battery....
Ideas??? Just buy a new battery???

I would say that is a good place to start as that battery has lived out its life particularly if it doesn't get used every day. If the battery is bad it could even be hard to jump it.

Replacing a 6 year old battery is the first thing to do.

Rich

[Capt_bj]

since you say it is your fun car, I guess you have another and therefore use it to jump the MINI. If it starts with the jump then 95% probability the problem is your battery.

if this is the original battery in your 03 then again I'll say 95% the problem is the battery....they don't die gracefully anymore. One day they work and the next day they don't. And do not trust the little colored button and sadly many times even a load test at a part store that will free test your battery is false....and a toasted battery doesn't respond well to recharging. If it is 5 years old....get a new one....that's my way of thinking. I replace at 5 years B4 they die on me.....after a few bad experiences. Which reminds me...the battery in the 79 is 5 years old . . .

If the car is used occasionally you might want to consider a "deep cycle" battery as the replacement, like an Optima Yellow Top. A 34R is the recommended OPTIMA model... I use a red top in the 79....should I trust an OPTIMA beyond 5 years?????


{{ if me .... yes, I'd just buy a new battery }}

[lambspeed]

I was having starting issues w/ my 03 S. sometimes it would, sometimes it would not. Changed battery and for a day it was fine. Then all hell broke loose. wipers turning on by themselves, voltage dropped, and the car would not start. Turned out to be the ignition switch. 60 bucks, ten minutes, and i was back on the road.

See what readings your getting off of terminal 15 on the ecu. if its fluctuating or low, it may be the ignition switch.

[buzzsaw]

If it is the battery here is a link of aftermarket batteries that may save some money.

[S-Driver]

Thanks guy's....I let you know how the new battery goes.

[S-Driver]

New battery in, all is well!

Bought a Duralast because I had a $50 store credit...