Q: Startup issues after the battery drain

asked by on May 25, 2016

Hello. After I left the dome light on in my car, the battery got drained and the car developed startup issues. It would start with difficulty several times after the drain, but it was as if the battery was going dead. Then, the next time I tried to turn the car on, it wouldn't turn over. I took the car to the shop and was told it was a dead cell. They had the battery replaced. Nevertheless, the car still wouldn't start up. I went to the dealership and they believe the issue is with the starter. It seems like the anti-theft system locked the car down. I am reluctant to pay a lot of money for something that might not be causing the issue. Do you have any suggestion? Thanks.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

AC not working in car.
It is possible that the refrigerant may be low again or you may have a bad pressure sensor in the AC system. If there is low pressure, or the computer thinks there is low pressure due to a bad sensor...
Alternator not charging battery
It sounds like one of your cables is corroded or shorted out. If the connection is not strong between the alternator and battery the car will die while driving and be unsafe. Until the repair is performed, caution is recommended....
Steering lock malfunction and key wont turn in ignition.
Your key could be stuck for several reasons. Since the steering wheel moves, it's not the steering lock. The first thing to attempt, is to use an electrical cleaner or air duster to remove any debris that may be stuck...
My truck selectively shifts hard
Hi there. From the description you provided, it seems you have more than one thing going on with your vehicle. The hard shifting, and the starting off in second and then jumping into first as you accelerate, could be a...
Car stalls while driving on high way.
Hi there. Check the oil pressure that the engine is producing. At highway speeds, if the engine is stalling out, then the oil pressure could drop to under 12 psi. The computer will sense this pressure drop and shut down...
It is possible to bring all of your tools by motorcycle? If yes, how?
If you have a powerful enough motorcycle, you can probably pull a small trailer with tools behind it. This also depends on the level of mechanic. A beginning mechanic with few tools may be able to carry everything in saddle...
Electric power steering replacement how much does it cost
From the description you have provided it sounds like it could be, the electric power steering motor has failed. It could also be, an electrical power or ground failure to the power steering motor. Before you have the electric steering...
Can it hurt my car if i drive it with the battery saver active light on?
Hi There, The battery saver active light indicates that the system has detected that the battery charge is low, which generally means either the battery (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/battery-replacement) itself is weak or that the charging system is not properly charging the battery...

Related articles

All About Car Battery Chargers
Everyone Everyone has experienced a dead car battery from time to time. It’s common occurance, especially in winter, when batteries have to work even harder to get you to where you want to go. Fortunately, there’s a solution. A portable...
A Buyer's Guide to the 2012 Lexus GS450h
The The 2012 Lexus GS450h is for those who want to drive a hybrid, but would prefer to still enjoy a luxurious and safe ride. Fortunately, as this sedan proves, going the hybrid route doesn’t have to mean you lose...
How to Replace a Key Fob Battery
Key fobs allow easy access to your car. Once the key fob battery is weak or dead you'll lose your fob's ability to control remote functions.