Given that the car is a 2003 and (since you didn't say otherwise) still has the factory battery, it's a safe bet you need a new one.
Car wont start - Help please?
Hi,
My 2003 Element wont start. It seems like a battery problem but I am not sure anymore. This morning, I went to the car and attempted to start it. The first thing I noticed that was bad was that when I went to press the alarm button, it didnt do anything. Usually, the doors would unlock. Nothing happened. I used the key to get in, and the alarm went off and I couldnt shut it off with keys, so I used the valet switch. I placed the keys in the ignition and the dash lights came on, so I turned the key. Nothing happened! There was no attempt by the starter to start, nothing. I popped open the hood to check battery terminal and noticed green stuff on the positive side. I cleaned it and connected it again, alarm went off, and had to turn it off using the alarm switch. I stick in the key, i see the Immobilizer system indicator flashing. This seems to be normal when you reconnect battery. I go and try to turn the key and I hear clicking across the dashboard, and nothing from the car. Could this be the starter? Also, once, the alarm was running, so i tried to start the car, the alarm immediately when south as in it sounded like it was dying off. Im not sure it if is a batter problem because usually, the starter would try to start and slow crank. But this time nothing happened!
Oh yeah, four months ago, I drained the battery by leaving fog lights on and jump started it to recharge it. Took it to Walmart to check battery and it was fine. Could the battery be dead?
What could be other problems?
Thanks,
My 2003 Element wont start. It seems like a battery problem but I am not sure anymore. This morning, I went to the car and attempted to start it. The first thing I noticed that was bad was that when I went to press the alarm button, it didnt do anything. Usually, the doors would unlock. Nothing happened. I used the key to get in, and the alarm went off and I couldnt shut it off with keys, so I used the valet switch. I placed the keys in the ignition and the dash lights came on, so I turned the key. Nothing happened! There was no attempt by the starter to start, nothing. I popped open the hood to check battery terminal and noticed green stuff on the positive side. I cleaned it and connected it again, alarm went off, and had to turn it off using the alarm switch. I stick in the key, i see the Immobilizer system indicator flashing. This seems to be normal when you reconnect battery. I go and try to turn the key and I hear clicking across the dashboard, and nothing from the car. Could this be the starter? Also, once, the alarm was running, so i tried to start the car, the alarm immediately when south as in it sounded like it was dying off. Im not sure it if is a batter problem because usually, the starter would try to start and slow crank. But this time nothing happened!
Oh yeah, four months ago, I drained the battery by leaving fog lights on and jump started it to recharge it. Took it to Walmart to check battery and it was fine. Could the battery be dead?
What could be other problems?
Thanks,
1 - 13 of 13 Posts
Yes.........Could the battery be dead?
ok. ill get a newbattery sometime today and will keep you guys posted
No, check your old battery first. Pull it out and take to an auto parts store or even Walmart again. They can tell you what shape it's in.ok. ill get a newbattery sometime today and will keep you guys posted
Sure sounds like the battery! I'd replace it, and see what happens. It is an inexpensive "fix", and I think your battery discharged or cannot store charge enough to start the car
At this point from what loky1234 described all you are doing is wasting time by pulling it out and checking it. You need to take the battery for a core charge in a lot of places anyway. If it is the OEm battery its done well.No, check your old battery first. Pull it out and take to an auto parts store or even Walmart again. They can tell you what shape it's in.
Chris
Might as well bring the old battery with you if you can and save yourself the recycling fee and another trip.At this point from what loky1234 described all you are doing is wasting time by pulling it out and checking it. You need to take the battery for a core charge in a lot of places anyway. If it is the OEm battery its done well.
Chris
In my above suggestion I was trying to convince loky1234 to have his old battery rechecked rather than just getting a new battery and slapping it in there.
Yeah, but the battery's 6 years old. How much longer could it possibly last? Better to replace it now than get stuck miles from nowhere.
Ok. I got a new battery and have been running the battery for about 2 days without a problem. I'm still in doubt whether or not this could be an alternator problem. I'll need to service the drive belt soon too. The battery was about 2.5 years old, as seen on the printed labels on the side of it. Seems pretty short for a life of a battery.
A battery is a fickle item when it comes to cars, some may last 10 years some may only last 1 or 2. From what I have read thus far about E's 3 years is average for the Honda battery. I used to work for AAA honda's are known for needed jump starts because of dead batteries. Despite popular belief heat, and poor maintenance are what kills batteries, not cold. Cold just lowers the reserve capacity down and a weak battery will show up sooner. I see more dead batteries in august then in January, and typically after a long drive.
If you have made it 2 days of normal driving then I would say your alternator is just fine. Unless you have some sort of super stero system with large amps, in which case you would need bigger alternator and batteries (2) .
Chris
If you have made it 2 days of normal driving then I would say your alternator is just fine. Unless you have some sort of super stero system with large amps, in which case you would need bigger alternator and batteries (2) .
Chris
and if you deep cycled it to where it needed to be jump started it was as good as gone anywayOk. I got a new battery and have been running the battery for about 2 days without a problem. I'm still in doubt whether or not this could be an alternator problem. I'll need to service the drive belt soon too. The battery was about 2.5 years old, as seen on the printed labels on the side of it. Seems pretty short for a life of a battery.
1 - 13 of 13 Posts
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