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Thread: Very dead car advice

  1. #1
    Basement Dweller Godfather's Avatar
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    Oops Very dead car advice

    Hey gents, quick question.

    My father-in-law died about 6 months ago and left my wife and I his vehicle. It's a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe, nice little SUV. My wife's car is older so it'll be a good upgrade for her.

    Due to the laws/estate rules up here, it took me quite a while to gain the ability to insure the vehicle so we could start driving it again. Unfortunately I'm an idiot and didn't start it often enough, and now it's very very dead. Like, doors-won't-unlock-with-the-FOB dead .

    I tried jump-starting and even left my car running to juice the Sante Fe's battery for a good 10 minutes, but the lights just barely started coming on on the dash, and it was definitely not going to turn over (literally no sound when I turned ignition). Next time I'll definitely buy a trickle charger or something, I feel pretty stupid for letting this slip.

    Anyways my question is: Should I just buy a new battery, slap it in and hope for the best? Or should I get it towed to have it serviced and have someone who knows shit about cars get it started?

    I don't want to waste money having it towed if a new battery should do the trick.. but on the other hand maybe there are other concerns with a car sitting for so long... is the oil and gasoline okay after that much time (we've had a very mild year so it's not like it got very cold or hot)?

    Thanks in advance!!
    Last edited by Godfather; 09-18-2016 at 12:32 AM.

  2. #2
    Take Box B DemonGeminiX's Avatar
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    I am in no way shape or form an expert in these things, so you may wanna skip my advice and wait for somebody else who knows better to respond, but I would change the battery out.


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    weapon of mass consumption redred's Avatar
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    To my knowledge just leaving a car running on the driveway does nothing to get the alternator working you need to drive it, to test the alternator is charging the battery a cheap meter is useful if you have one

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    weapon of mass consumption redred's Avatar
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    I'd take a hit on a new battery if it were me and a service, there won't be to much wrong I wouldn't think

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    Shelter Dweller Hugh_Janus's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Godfather View Post
    Hey gents, quick question.

    My father-in-law died about 6 months ago and left my wife and I his vehicle. It's a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe, nice little SUV. My wife's car is older so it'll be a good upgrade for her.

    Due to the laws/estate rules up here, it took me quite a while to gain the ability to insure the vehicle so we could start driving it again. Unfortunately I'm an idiot and didn't start it often enough, and now it's very very dead. Like, doors-won't-unlock-with-the-FOB dead .

    I tried jump-starting and even left my car running to juice the Sante Fe's battery for a good 10 minutes, but the lights just barely started coming on on the dash, and it was definitely not going to turn over (literally no sound when I turned ignition). Next time I'll definitely buy a trickle charger or something, I feel pretty stupid for letting this slip.

    Anyways my question is: Should I just buy a new battery, slap it in and hope for the best? Or should I get it towed to have it serviced and have someone who knows shit about cars get it started?

    I don't want to waste money having it towed if a new battery should do the trick.. but on the other hand maybe there are other concerns with a car sitting for so long... is the oil and gasoline okay after that much time (we've had a very mild year so it's not like it got very cold or hot)?

    Thanks in advance!!
    battery is probably fucked but instead of waiting until next time, why not buy the trickle charger now and see if the battery will charge?

    Anyway, check the tyres because they can become flattened at the bottom where the car has been sitting. Check out the condition of the brakes especially if its been sitting outside. The oil will okay to start the car and drive it for a bit but I would get it changed asap. The fuel should be okay, but if tank is near empty, I'd fill it with fresh stuff.

    Before you start it though, check the fluid levels. When you're ready to start it, find out where the fuel pump fuse is and pull it out then crank the engine until the oil pressure goes out on the dash (it will take a few seconds but if its more than 10 stop, leave it for a minute and try again) when it does go out, pop the fuse back in and you should be good to go.

    Also, do what red says and get it serviced
    Quote Originally Posted by redred View Post
    To my knowledge just leaving a car running on the driveway does nothing to get the alternator working you need to drive it, to test the alternator is charging the battery a cheap meter is useful if you have one
    it will charge when its idling, but its no good for the car if its sitting (condensation buildup etc which can turn into some acid (can't remember what its called though)

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    Hal killed Tormund! Pony's Avatar
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    Often when the battery goes that dead it doesn't like to come back, even if it does take a charge it's not nearly as "strong" as a new one and more prone to fail, I'd replace it. Definitely check fluids, tires, etc. Fresh gas and an oil change wouldn't hurt.

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    Mr Magoo RBP's Avatar
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    Add some sand to the gas tank, it will fire right up.
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    mr. michelle jenneke deebakes's Avatar
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    i was going to ask if it can be jumped back to life to drive around a little, but the people ^^^ that replied probably know best

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    weapon of mass consumption redred's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by deebakes View Post
    i was going to ask if it can be jumped back to life to drive around a little, but the people ^^^ that replied probably know best
    Apart from RBP

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    Hal killed Tormund! Pony's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by deebakes View Post
    i was going to ask if it can be jumped back to life to drive around a little, but the people ^^^ that replied probably know best
    It might come back enough to start the car with a deep charge, but when a battery goes that dead it's life has been severely shortened if it comes back at all. On a nearly 5 year old battery I think replacement is probably the best option.

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    #DeSantis2024 Teh One Who Knocks's Avatar
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    Buy a tow truck to pull it around with

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    weapon of mass consumption redred's Avatar
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    time for an upgrade ?


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    Basement Dweller Godfather's Avatar
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    Thanks guys!

    The battery was incredibly dead so I decided to try my hand at swapping it myself before calling anyone.

    Swapped in the new battery and it started up right away! $100 well spent.

    It badly needs a service and like Hugh said the tires were flat, but it's all good now Thanks again!

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  19. #15
    He who laughs, lasts. Noilly Pratt's Avatar
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    Cool! They are nice vehicles.

    I once bought a car that had been sitting for a while. What I'd recommend is that you don't let the tank go below 1/4 of a tank. Sediment might have settled to the bottom and if you get some fresh gas a few times hopefully it dissipates. But if you run it down to fumes it can clog the fuel filter and then the pump can fail.

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