Another battery question

[elau]

Battery in car is 6 years old. Car is garage queen. Last time I stretched her legs was a month ago, but is hooked up to a battery tender always. Last jumped was in March and July this year respectively by MB Roadside Assistance. The tech tested the battery before jumping it yesterday and it read 10.09v and he thought if I drove it some the battery may re-charge. It fired right up when the tech hooked it up to his portable battery. I took the car out and drove for an hour on both highway and back road. Got home, turn car off. Waited for a minute, re-start and nothing!! I could hear the clicking sound and all lights on dash came on. Could this mean the battery is beyond rescue? How do I know if the alternator is not the problem? I thought driving for an hour the battery should be fully charged. I don't mind paying for a new battery, but I am concerned it may be other problem lurking.

By the way, I opened the battery and found that all the cells were bone dry when the car did not start back in March. I filled each cell up with tap water and it seemed to do the trick. Wonder if that matters?

Any help is appreciated.

[PaulC]

Originally Posted by elau

Battery in car is 6 years old. Car is garage queen. Last time I stretched her legs was a month ago, but is hooked up to a battery tender always. Last jumped was in March and July this year respectively by MB Roadside Assistance. The tech tested the battery before jumping it yesterday and it read 10.09v and he thought if I drove it some the battery may re-charge. It fired right up when the tech hooked it up to his portable battery. I took the car out and drove for an hour on both highway and back road. Got home, turn car off. Waited for a minute, re-start and nothing!! I could hear the clicking sound and all lights on dash came on. Could this mean the battery is beyond rescue? How do I know if the alternator is not the problem? I thought driving for an hour the battery should be fully charged. I don't mind paying for a new battery, but I am concerned it may be other problem lurking.

By the way, I opened the battery and found that all the cells were bone dry when the car did not start back in March. I filled each cell up with tap water and it seemed to do the trick. Wonder if that matters?

Any help is appreciated.

A full evaluation of your charging system is suggested. Often excessive water depletion in a battery can be traced to a faulty voltage regulator that is allowing the battery to be overcharged, boiling away the electrolyte.

After six years and being run bone-dry at least once, your current battery's time is up.

BTW, is the battery tender set up and working properly?

[Zeus]

Elau - I'll move this thread to tech help, alright?

As far as your battery, it definitely sounds like it is gone. It should read around 12.7V resting and more at idle (13V+). Did you hook a voltmeter up to it yet? With the dry wells and battery age, I wouldn't be surprised if it is toast at this point...

[elau]

Thanks Zeus. I should have posted at Tech Help to begin with.