I have a 2003 Acura TL from my sister, and the car won't start. When I try, either the engine attempts to turn over a couple times (slowing down), then the starter starts to click continuously, or the starter clicks continuously from the get-go. If I jump it, it will start and run fine. I'm thinking this is a battery issue (the light seems dim or out on it), but driving it around for half an hour to an hour doesn't seem to charge it significantly, and if I leave it overnight, the same thing happens in the morning. It's only been 4 years for the battery, and I think that's kind of low in terms of battery life, and I've read some forums where it says it might be the starter or the solenoid in it, so am not sure, short of taking it in. Will try to borrow a charger for the battery and see if that makes a difference. One thing I did note, that if I turn on the lights, then try to start it, the lights immediately cut out instead of dimming.

 

Sounds like your battery won't take -- or hold -- a charge. Any place that sells batteries should be able to test it for "no charge."

 

Battery problem.

 

You need a new battery, batteries that old have a hard time holding a charge.

 

could it be the alternator going out? Not recharging the battery?

 

Highly unlikely. If your alternator was bad, your car won't be running after a jump start because a dead battery with bad alternator = dead car.

 

Thanks for the tips. I tested the voltage of the battery, and it's in the 10-11V range at this point. Will try charging with a borrowed charger, but don't give it much hope. Does anyone know Costco sells the correct size battery for replacement? I think the size is BCI 24.

 

Each Costco carries different sizes but that is pretty standard so they should have it. Forget about charging it, just go get a new battery and swap it. Your battery can read 14 v and still it can be dead. Amperage is where the power is.

 

I would still test the alternator!!!

 

if the battery has enough juice it will start the car and run until it runs out of juice.