I have had trouble getting my car to start the past two weeks. It has taken 4-6 turn overs, depending on the engine temp. I took it to autozone today because it seems to be getting worse. The battery checker said "battery ok, low charge". It read about 8A. I came home and stuck the battery charger on it a few hours and it started just like it always has. I still have the stock battery (06 model). The autozone guy told me alternators today really only maintain charge and don't really charge batteries anymore. I just nodded and went on... hahaha

I'm guessing this is an alternator issue? From my past experiences when an alternator goes bad, it stops working all together, not just putting out a small amount of current. The fact the battery is charging up to normal in just a little while with a really small battery charger doesn't make me think that's the problem. Any thoughts?

 

could be the starter the windings in it wearing out

 

Try charging the battery before going to bed and see what it reads in the morning. If the battery holds the charge overnight, it's most likely not the battery, as you said.

Another way to check the alternator - when the battery gets low again, see what voltage it's reading while the engine is running. If it's abnormally low (mine reads 14.7 while running) then it's the alt fo sho.

 

14 volts when running is telling you te alternator is OK

 

I charged the battery then drove back home (~45min). The next day it was back to the way it was. It BARELY started this morning. I'm going to have it checked again today and see if they can check the alternator also.

 

What's your voltage while it's running?

 

it almost sounds like your battery isn't holding a charge. What do you have running off it? Amp? The alt might be working ok but the battery is getting weak and not able to keep up with your demands anymore.

 

could have a parasitic drain something is draining your battery even tho ur car is turned off.. could be anything the radio or the pcm maybe