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.

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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:

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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.

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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.

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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.    

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auex][ wrote:

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UOTE=Poonkla] 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.

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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.[/QUOTE] do this and you will find your problem

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Big 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 man

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S.O.B custsoms.. South Omaha, Nebraska

ragoal12 wrote:

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

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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.

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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...

auex]D wrote:

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n'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.

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yes that is true but when he was driving if the alternator wasn't charging he should have noticed a substantial voltage drop....  the alternator does not stop the car from starting.. once the car is started if the car dies then i would look towards the alternator... but the car isn't starting...

personally with it being an 04 dodge.. i would take it to a dealership cause theres so many electrical things like relays and what not that could be bad.. virtually impossible for a weekend mechanic to figure it out

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S.O.B custsoms.. South Omaha, Nebraska

ragoal12 wrote:

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personally with it being an 04 dodge.. i would take it to a dealership cause theres so many electrical things like relays and what not that could be bad.. virtually impossible for a weekend mechanic to figure it out

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Taking it to the dealership might not be such a good idea...an '04 SRT-4 is still probably under factory warranty. The dealer might try to say that his warranty is now void because of the "modifications" that were done to the vehicle. Just something to think about.

dzelaya18 wrote:

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Taking it to the dealership might not be such a good idea...an '04 SRT-4 is still probably under factory warranty. The dealer might try to say that his warranty is now void because of the "modifications" that were done to the vehicle. Just something to think about.

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good point.. but what modifactions were done to the car?? a stereo system voids the warranty on the radio not the motor or its drivetrain..  if nothing else has been modified he should be ok

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S.O.B custsoms.. South Omaha, Nebraska

Ok, i do roadside assistance for Chrysler (CAA kinda stuff)  and i know first hand its the battery, every single chrylser vehicle gets a junk ass battery from day one.  Don't bring it to the dealer, they are just going to give you another crap battery. They definately cut costs on the batterys in the past 4 years and its actually costing them more money in replacement and warranty jump starts than they intisipated.  Its a very common problem, just like the dodge rams crap ass transmissions....never buy a dodge ram if you plan to tow more than 50 pounds......   The battery will show 11.(*) volts, yet on cranking will drop to 8 volts.  I see this about 20 times a day , multiply that by about  100 roadside reps, and multiply that by 365 days a year and you truly see the problem.

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2003 Chevy Avalanche,Eclipse CD7000,Morel Elate 5,Adire Extremis,Alpine PDX-4.150, 15" TC-3000, 2 Alpine PDX-1.1000, 470Amp HO Alt.

alpine guy that is valualbe info for us comon folk... its amazing what these big automobile companies will do to save a few bucks... thats why im gm.. but every now and again my gm won't start..

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S.O.B custsoms.. South Omaha, Nebraska

My gf does gm road side...i don't want to hurt your feelings, so i wont start lol.  basically, the only veh's i see very little troubles with are nissan,toyota and honda, which coincidentally are becoming the largest automakers now.

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2003 Chevy Avalanche,Eclipse CD7000,Morel Elate 5,Adire Extremis,Alpine PDX-4.150, 15" TC-3000, 2 Alpine PDX-1.1000, 470Amp HO Alt.

im a diehard gm man myself but as an automotie tech. alpine guy is right on the money they are the best cars hands down. that's why i drive a maxima and an old skool chevy z28 anything after the 80's for gm is crap.

but back to the problem at hand, like previously posted go to the auto parts store and they will test your alt. and battery. the alt. could be charging irythmicaly(not steady). and seem fine but is not. i cant say for sure its totaly dead because your battery light would of been on when you where driving if it was totaly dead. witch lets you know your not charging. the battery and starter are diffently a possiblity. but untill you go get your battery and alt. tested i wouldn't replace a starter. testing is free and will only take about 5 min. of your time. good luck

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JUST ONE MORE AMP!!!
hu,alpine cva 1005/dva 5205
sound processor,symmetry(first one).
sub amp,power 1000 the terminator.(1992).
subs,spl comp dual 1 ohms.
punch 150hd on a 10" ev.
alotofhighs

Alpine Guy wrote:

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My gf does gm road side...i don't want to hurt your feelings, so i wont start lol.  basically, the only veh's i see very little troubles with are nissan,toyota and honda, which coincidentally are becoming the largest automakers now.

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no offense taken.. what car u drive is all personal opinion.. to me it doesn't have to be gm to be cool as long as its a hot car.. a car thats done right... we have hot rods and many of my friends have newer VW and others.. im starting to like the new GTI from volkswagon!!!!

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S.O.B custsoms.. South Omaha, Nebraska