Timeline for Can an engine stop from a bad battery?
Current License: CC BY-SA 3.0
5 events
| when toggle format | what | by | license | comment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 26, 2013 at 0:14 | vote | accept | Justin R. | ||
| Nov 28, 2011 at 20:37 | comment | added | Brian Knoblauch | I do not know what typical power draw is, but if your car isn't overloaded with too many computers, it wouldn't be too bad. Fuel pump would be the worst. Ignition system is high voltage, but low current. I know that OBD-I cars could drive on battery/no alternator for 4 hours+ before running out of power. I suspect that newer cars have much less reserve. Battery size is similar and they're loaded up with all kinds of extra computers now. | |
| Nov 28, 2011 at 18:19 | comment | added | Justin R. | This is my understanding as well, but I thought that perhaps I might have an overly simplified understanding of the process. Thanks for confirming that it's correct. Offhand, do you know how much power it takes to keep the engine running once started? I mean, leaving off things like the headlights, stereo, etc., what does it take to keep the sparkplugs sparking, fuel pump pumping, etc. | |
| Nov 28, 2011 at 14:06 | comment | added | Brian Knoblauch | On many modern cars, like 1ZZ-FE powered Toyotas, the battery is in series with the alternator, so a battery (or battery connection) problem can cause the system to not get power. Not sure why they do that nowadays, perhaps for the voltage smoothing effect the battery has? Older cars were in parallel. I remember push starting my Dad's old J-Body when it didn't even have a battery installed! :-) | |
| Nov 28, 2011 at 3:45 | history | answered | chris | CC BY-SA 3.0 |