Car won't start

[thamlin000]

Yesterday at lunch my 944 wouldn't start. The battery was dead. I didn't leave the lights on so I figured since it was an old battery (4 years old), all I needed to do was replace it. I got a new one, put it in and everything was fine.

Until this morning and now my car won't start. Dead battery. It drove fine all the way home from work yesterday.

I replaced the alternator about three years ago with a rebuilt unit. I couldn't be the alternator could it?

This really sucks, I'm moving 200 mi on Saturday and this is my only car. The Z is already at my new place.

The tow guy is on his way to jump start it or tow it.

[thamlin000]

ps-The charge light on my gauges had been faintly glowing before I replaced the battery. I could only see it at night and after I replacd the battery, I didn't drive at night so I couldn't see it it was still glowing.

[todwic]

Man, I know how you feel, I just moved 250 mi. Did it all myself via U-Haul. Me, the wife, her dad, and her g-ma from L.A. to Fresno. 3 br house fuull of CRAP. I don't envy you.

On to topic: I assume that you've checked your alt. belt tension. My suggestion is this: if you don't have a multi meter, buy one. It's well worth it. It would be a simple matter to see if your alt is charging, or a bunk batt (seldom happens, but it happens) or a bad ground (the first thing I would suspect). Does your engine see a lot of water? do you have an oil leak that coats your alt? Check the 9 pin connector right above your brake booster. any burnt pins? burnt fuses?trouble shoot from the batt. onward. Clean those grounds.

[thamlin000]

Problem solved. The driver side fan runs continuously even when the car is off and cooled down. I guess it need a thermoswitch.

Todd,

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm moving from a temporary (summer) job back to school 200 mi away. All the stuff I have will cram into the 944. Gotta love a car that hauls and also hauls.

[SoCal Driver]

The fan temperture switch and the electric antennas are the most likely culprits for battery drain.

[thamlin000]

Will a new thermoswitch fix my continuous running fan problem? The fan keeps going and drains my battery after the car is shut off. I just replaced the thermoswitch one year ago.

[rammstein]

Once you get it charged, I guess you could disconnect the battery each time you stop, until you can fix it, if you gotta move before you can get to it.

[SoCal Driver]

Might also be the AC relay as this too controls one fan.

Disconnect the battery when you park. Worry about it later.

[thamlin000]

For now, after every drive, I have been disconnecting the battery. I'm going to buy a thermoswitch. And if that doesn't work, I'll get an a/c relay.

Thanks for the input.