Starting using a Battery Charger

Discussions about other vehicles other than the Vibe & Matrix.
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jake75
Posts: 4792
Joined: Sun Feb 09, 2003 1:33 pm
Location: Columbus, OH

Starting using a Battery Charger

Post by jake75 »

I am trying to sell a 2001 Kia Sportage for a 93 yr old woman. The battery is shot I am sure as it sat uncharged in a long cold winter here. My batter charger has a 50 amp setting - that is supposed to "start" a car - still resulted only in "clicks" when I tried to start it. I a thinking of just getting a new battery and seeing if that works but once I buy it I think I am stuck if it doesn't. Any thoughts?
2009 Vibe 1.8L Carbon Gray AT Power Pkg 1/12/092003 Vibe 1.8L Neptune AT Mono Power Pkg 1/27/03 [sold 2/2/09]2007 T&C SWB 7/31/07 "Broke people stay broke by living like they're rich. Rich people stay rich by living like they're broke."
jake75
Posts: 4792
Joined: Sun Feb 09, 2003 1:33 pm
Location: Columbus, OH

Re: Starting using a Battery Charger

Post by jake75 »

Come to think of it, a battery is about 600 cold cranking amps so maybe that is my answer. I don't know how many amps those units you can buy at Sam's Club put out. Guess I will check. At least I would have something I could use if the car won't start even with a fully charged battery.
2009 Vibe 1.8L Carbon Gray AT Power Pkg 1/12/092003 Vibe 1.8L Neptune AT Mono Power Pkg 1/27/03 [sold 2/2/09]2007 T&C SWB 7/31/07 "Broke people stay broke by living like they're rich. Rich people stay rich by living like they're broke."
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Chiadog
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Location: Abrams, wisconsin

Re: Starting using a Battery Charger

Post by Chiadog »

How about jumper cables?
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kumquat
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Re: Starting using a Battery Charger

Post by kumquat »

Yeah, try jumping it from a known good battery.
jake75
Posts: 4792
Joined: Sun Feb 09, 2003 1:33 pm
Location: Columbus, OH

Re: Starting using a Battery Charger

Post by jake75 »

kumquat wrote:Yeah, try jumping it from a known good battery.
Where this car is I'd need 25 ft jumper cables. Don't want to push it out as the tags are long expired.
2009 Vibe 1.8L Carbon Gray AT Power Pkg 1/12/092003 Vibe 1.8L Neptune AT Mono Power Pkg 1/27/03 [sold 2/2/09]2007 T&C SWB 7/31/07 "Broke people stay broke by living like they're rich. Rich people stay rich by living like they're broke."
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kumquat
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Re: Starting using a Battery Charger

Post by kumquat »

You could bring a known good battery to the car, I guess. Or bring the car's battery to a local shop for testing.
jake75
Posts: 4792
Joined: Sun Feb 09, 2003 1:33 pm
Location: Columbus, OH

Re: Starting using a Battery Charger

Post by jake75 »

I got a 58 battery at Costco today for $66.99 + $9 core deposit. I am reasonably confident that is the problem.
2009 Vibe 1.8L Carbon Gray AT Power Pkg 1/12/092003 Vibe 1.8L Neptune AT Mono Power Pkg 1/27/03 [sold 2/2/09]2007 T&C SWB 7/31/07 "Broke people stay broke by living like they're rich. Rich people stay rich by living like they're broke."
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Water boy
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Re: Starting using a Battery Charger

Post by Water boy »

Some battery chargers need to "see" some amount of voltage before they will activate.
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Chiadog
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Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2012 9:41 am
Location: Abrams, wisconsin

Re: Starting using a Battery Charger

Post by Chiadog »

Water boy wrote:Some battery chargers need to "see" some amount of voltage before they will activate.
Yeah, They call them "Smart Chargers"; What a JOKE!
jake75
Posts: 4792
Joined: Sun Feb 09, 2003 1:33 pm
Location: Columbus, OH

Re: Starting using a Battery Charger

Post by jake75 »

I put the new Costco Kirkland battery in yesterday - though the car sat idle for 9 months it started right up - no hesitation or unusual noises. I made sure the oil level was o.k. before I did that. Now going to try to sell this Kia Sportage 4 dr AT A/C with 80,900 miles for this 93 year old whose body is frail but her mind is 100%. I am hoping to get $2,500. I would grade it on the high end of "fair" condition per the KBB guide.

Originally she was going to give this car to her grand niece - but that grand niece's father recently passed away and her mother now has a 2005 Matrix she is offering to her. Lucky girl.

In case anyone is wondering - this is a volunteer effort on my part. Just last week I sold her 800 sq. ft. home - for the grand total of $11,500. She had lived there since 1950 and except for a a roof I don't think anything had been done to that house since. I am not accustomed to this level of poverty. She moved to her slightly younger sister's home in another state. A win-win as her sister has some dementia and needs some assistance.
2009 Vibe 1.8L Carbon Gray AT Power Pkg 1/12/092003 Vibe 1.8L Neptune AT Mono Power Pkg 1/27/03 [sold 2/2/09]2007 T&C SWB 7/31/07 "Broke people stay broke by living like they're rich. Rich people stay rich by living like they're broke."
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joatmon
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Location: SMC MD

Re: Starting using a Battery Charger

Post by joatmon »

This lady is fortunate to know someone like you Image
Image
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