Hi hello,
I don’t know jack about cars, please help!
2015 Ford Focus (yes I know trash but it’s what I got). About 4 weeks ago it was having trouble starting, could hear it trying to start and it would take about 10-15 sec before it started. Then a day or so later it wouldn’t start at all without being jumped. Battery was corroded on both positive and negative, mechanic replaced the battery.
Started fine after that for a few days, then periodically wouldn’t start, just clicked but the radio and lights all worked. There was no rhyme or reason seemingly as to when or why, sometimes needed a jump, sometimes started fine, sometimes didn’t start, waited 5 mins, started no problem. Over the course of about 10 days it got worse to needing a jump to just not starting even with a jump, towed to mechanic and was told it was the starter. Replaced the starter.
Was working fine again for the last 2 weeks, started every time no problems until Tuesday night I took the dog to the park for about 45 mins and then it wouldn’t start at the dog park. Had to get a jump, got home. Started yesterday no issues, and now this morning won’t start even from a jump but the lights and radio are still working. I’m supposed to take it in tomorrow (likely tow) and I’m hoping to understand what could be going on before I get there so I know I’m not being taken for $$$. The battery started corroding again less than a week later, not sure if that is a sign of something? Bad wiring?
Thank you 🙏🏻
Thank you. The shop said they cleaned the corrosion when they changed the battery, I suppose not well enough. I have an appt at a different garage on Monday.
If it can’t be cleaned, then terminal ends/cables have to be replaced. A battery/electrical shop that does that specifically, and has cables, lugs, terminal ends in inventory can do that better/faster/cheaper than a mechanical shop that doesn’t have any of that stuff, and doesn’t do things like that specifically.