battery?

[ktaylOR2012]

so i go to start my car and it sounds like it tries and start then starts ticking so jump the battery and go drive it for like 10-15mins get back home turn it off then try to re start it get nothing at all. what do you think it is. battery, alternator, starter, or plugs? or something else?

 

[sethahoward]

First thing is to check your battery terminals to make sure they are clean and tight. Then test your battery and see how much voltage you have when the car is running. It should be around 13-14 volts if the alternator is charging. If that checks out ok, shut the car off and put the volt meter back on the battery, have someone try to start it for you and see how much the voltage drops while cranking. It should not drop below 9 volts or so. If it does, your battery is bad.