Issues with battery, car won’t start

Hey everybody! I have a 2004 Dodge SRT-4 (Neon) and my system is as follows: Pioneer 760MP 1 12" Alpine Type R 1 Alpine MRD-M605 (600W) for sub MB Quart components front and back 1 Memphis 4X100 (I think) for the highs I've had the highs and memphis for awhile, but I added the Alpine pair less than a month ago. My problem is, that for the first time today, I was bumpin, and when I got home, I ran in for maybe 15 minutes. I ran back out, and the car wouldn't start. I was getting the "clicking" noise of the starter, but no go. I jumped it, but didn't run my stereo (HU face removed) and drove around for about 10 minutes, and when I got back, it didn't want to start again. I just turned it to the "on" position, and put the HU face back on to check the voltage reading on the Alpine amp. It read 11.7 and was holding steady with the volume turned down. I jumped the car, and running I was getting 13.7 and holding. The SRT came with a 135 amp alternator, so could the battery already be going bad?!? Car was purchased new in January 2004. I know that the SRT has so-so grounds, could this be the issue? I checked all of my wires, and I didn't see anything loose or undone. Thanks! I very much appreciate the help. ~Wilson

You can try putting that battery on a slow trickle charge to get it charged back up to where it should be.  But, yes, it sounds like the battery is dying.  Three years is normal...two years when you have additional pull on the electrical system isn't unheard of....especially if it's gone to the point of having to get jump-started before.Build the box so that it performs well in the worst case scenario and, in return, it will reward you at all times.

Poonkla wrote: My problem is, that for the first time today, I was bumpin, and when I got home, I ran in for maybe 15 minutes. I ran back out, and the car wouldn't start.

Sounds like alternator by that description, depending on how long you where driving before hand. Now if you left the stereo on then you know the problem. Go to your local autoparts store and have them check the battery and the alternator. If they are fine then check your grounds. Also you could make sure all the lights got turned off.Certified Security Specialist

Always check info with a digital multimeter.

I promise to be good.

Tell Darwin I sent you.

I've been sick lately, sorry I won't be on much.

Well, I get some pretty good light dimming whenever I run the stereo. The thing is, that I drove for 15 minutes without the stereo on, and it should have charged the battery enough then.

a car should start fine with 11 volts. but the battery may be low on water. check that out. the water needs to be over the plates. if you shine a flashlight in the filler holes you will see what i mean.use distilled water if needed. if thats not it, then ive worked on cars that did that and turned out to be the starting solenoid, or the starting relay.    

auex wrote: Poonkla wrote: My problem is, that for the first time today, I was bumpin, and when I got home, I ran in for maybe 15 minutes. I ran back out, and the car wouldn't start. Sounds like alternator by that description, depending on how long you where driving before hand. Now if you left the stereo on then you know the problem. Go to your local autoparts store and have them check the battery and the alternator. If they are fine then check your grounds. Also you could make sure all the lights got turned off.

do this and you will find your problemBig Dave

Sounds like when my battery died. I had an Optima yellowtop, but the amp I had at the time was highly inefficient and extremly power hungry...it would suck up almost 80amps of draw just to make 400watts...horrible. It sucked the Optima dry in eight months. I got the battery replaced under warranty and bought a better amp. Almost two years later and still on the same battery with no problems; and my battery died just like yours...I came home, ran in the house to pick something up, came out and it was dead. Wierd.

well first off its not ur alternator because that has nothing to do with ur car starting.. its either a batter or starter... i just had this happen to me in my truck and everyone swore it was the battery but it was actually the starter.. you may have a bad soleniod on the starter.. so i suggest that first get the battery tested and even try starting the car with another battery.. if the battery is good.. then check all your cables making sure there secure( grounds and all)... then check the starter... if the car starts with a new battery  you will be able to tell if your alternator is ok by the charging volts but at 13.7 like you said i don't believe thats a problem... im betting its the starter manS.O.B custsoms.. South Omaha, Nebraska

ragoal12 wrote: well first off its not ur alternator because that has nothing to do with ur car starting..

Don't forget he had just gotten done driving and if the alternator failed the battery would have been powering the vehicle while driving. Can't rule it out.Certified Security Specialist

Always check info with a digital multimeter.

I promise to be good.

Tell Darwin I sent you.

I've been sick lately, sorry I won't be on much.

His starter? Its an '04! Damn you Dodge...