300 miles on a dead battery?

[fabloub]

Hello,
I am new to the forum. I have a 1989 944 (automatic transmission) and my battery keeps dying (granted I don't drive that often). Every couple of weeks or so, I recharge the battery through a power outlet. Lately, my battery doesn't hold any charge and I have to jump start the car all the time.

I need to drive about 300 miles. Is it a bad idea to drive with the dead battery? Will that damage the alternator?
I don't have the option of changing the battery before leaving.

Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Fabien

[alan6272]

In my 30 plus years as an auto tech. I have seen a shorted battery put a strain on a charging system and cause an alternator to go bad. This trip you are going to take, Good luck with a bad battery, This is something I would never do.

[alan6272]

By the way, sorry, welcome to the site

[944 Ecology]

You will never make it. You need the battery to be putting out the full 12 volts in order to drive the fuel pump and DME.

Do yourself a favor and buy a new battery.

[zedsn]

Sounds to me that you have an electrical drain that is causing your battery to go dead. You might want to look into that as well. Could be a draw from your alternator, your alarm ststem, or some other short causing juice to be pulled from your battery. My 2 cents.

[Vicious]

+1 ^
as far as making the drive, it is possibe to do, however not recommended. if you have no option to get a new battery before hand, i would run a desulfate charge on your battery before the trip and hope for the best. your alternator will survive just fine, i just ran a 1300 mile trip with a going dead battery.

[Born2bwild1191]

Better hope you don't have to stop to go to the bathroom or get gas or something. Planning on just jumping it when you get there as well? Jumping in itself can cause more electrical problems. Do you have another good battery from another vehicle you could pull out just for the trip or something if you don't want to buy one?

[mytrplseven]

I wouldn't recommend it. If you stall the engine in traffic your problem then becomes a problem for all Holiday travelers on your roadway. Find a battery somehow or borrow a car. Most auto parts stores will do a FREE check of your system to make sure that the alternator and battery are both checked out.

[nynor]

i think that doing what you suggest can also damage the DME.

[fabloub]

Thank you all for the replies: you really feel welcome around here!!
So, I guess Amtrak on New Year's Eve it it... I am going to follow your advice and not do the drive.
I also think that the alarm system is draining the battery so I'm thinking of installing a switch under the dashboard (or in some other hidden spot) to disconnect ground when I intend not to drive for a few days.

Thanks again and Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays!
Fabien