Element electrical system suddenly dead
 

Hi Forum,

We have an 06 Element 5 speed manual 55,000 miles. Today my wife drove it downtown, started and ran perfectly. Drove home, an hour later she tried to start it again....nothing. No keyless entry no nada zilch. I hooked up a battery charge and the gauge showed fully charged. I turned the charger to quick start, no engine turnover when I hit the ignition?

I looked at the 100 amp battey fuse in the engine compartment, looks good. Has anyone had this happen to them?

Thanks,

MFS

Welcome to the forum,Check your headlights, if they come on bright This means the battery has 12 volts or so but it does not tell us if the battery is capable of providing the amps necessary to turn the starter over.
If they are dim or out quickly touch each battery cable connection at the battery. If either one is warm to the touch, that indicates a bad connection. Wiggle, push and pull the battery cables back and forth and see if the headlights come on white and bright. If the headlights come back on and as you hold the cable to one side or another, have someone try and start the car. More than likely, it will start.
If the starter is bad and you hit it with a hammer a couple of times, the starter will almost always work and the engine will start.

Thanks for the reply buckwheat,

I am out of town at this time, I'll try those checks when I return.

Regards,

MFS

Good luck buddy! :D

Element
 

Turned out to be a failed battery. Thanks for the tip buckwheat. I just found it hard to believe it would give no indication of going bad, then completely dead after one hour of being parked, nothing left on?

Anyway I installed a new Interstate battery yesterday, no more worries.

Thanks
MFS

Most likely a bad cell,I have two batteries on my F-350 Diesel and when one goes bad you have to replace both or the old battery draws from the new and causes problems.