The battery was too dead to hold a charge. If it starts the next day, keep running it. Rusty’s alternator seems fine you were getting a reading of 13.9, it should be about 14. If it doesn’t start the next day. You may need a new battery.
the battery terminal (especially the negative) may not be getting a tight enough connection to the battery post. Remove the terminals and retighten as much as you can. If you see that the terminals have any wear, just replace the terminals with a new 10 dollar terminal.
Best way to charge it is hook up the cables while the cars are off then let your car run for a couple minutes then try. Maybe accelerate it a bit could help. Driving it charges the battery
Does anyone else get triggered by Ken turning to accessory mode first for a few seconds before trying to start? That aside, many light issues can be alternator-related. And it’s best to drive a car for a while to charge it (if the battery and alternator are known to be good). But I’m no auto expert and those are just things I always heard.
It's literally a bad battery. It's nothing else. The dash will go wild when the battery dies. That's normal. What you have is a parasitic drain on the vehicle when it's parked. Pick up a battery tender and leave it on when you're not using the van. I have a battery tender on my summer car when I'm not using it, or when it's parked for the winter.
@@Ken_Domik If you've got a drain on the battery somewhere it will just drain the battery back down when you don't drive it for awhile. The biggest culprits are window wipers. If you test in a few days and it's low more, you have a drain and will have to start pulling fuses from the fuse box until you hit one where the battery does drain out.
Bad battery. The electronics drain the battery over time. Its best to start it every once week or so if they sit. New battery and a battery tender will fix it. Good luck!
@@Ken_Domik I would say the age and sitting for long periods of time are against it. The electronics in these cars will drain it in about a week or so. If you can take the battery out and have it load tested. I have an elderly friend who doesn't drive much and I have dealt with tons of battery problems with him. All the warning lights that are on your screen are because of low battery voltage. It's hard to diagnose problems over you tube but my friends problems were all the same as yours. If it sits buy the battery tender on amazon. install is easy and problem solved. Batteries need exercise so sitting isnt good. Love the videos.
A simple way to test alternator is while the engine is running test battery voltage should be atleast 13.8 up to 14.4v. Or disconnect the battery while its running, the alternator should keep the engine running with lights and all
Hi Ken, you just need a new battery and then put it on a solar battery maintainer when you are not driving the vehicle regularly. They are cheap and do a great job to trickle charge the battery and prevent it from sulfating from lack of use. It will be ready to go when you are. Best affordable item you can get for a car that isn't driven very often and you will get many years out of your new battery.
Hate to say it but maybe Rusty is gone. It’s time to clean your stuff out and either sale it or junk it. Especially since you done want to put any more money into it. Knock on wood my car is five years old and still has the same battery from when I purchased the car. If it’s the battery than rough between 5-8 years is battery life.
Your battery is too old. Replace it and rusty will start fine all the time. If not, you will continue to be jumping it. If you keep this van, that is the only solution.
Disconnect battery while it’s running if it cuts off then your alternator needs replaced if it stays running get you a battery charger and charge it over night or so and should be good to go
Unfortunately I think that battery is toast. The batteries from Costco have a 48 month free replacement warranty and are cheaper than most places. Mine would look like it’s charging but never properly held that charge. I found out it was bad by charging it with a battery charger that told me bad battery. Good luck! 🤞🏻
Get a trickel charger Most cars won't last to long sitting without a start every now and then especially with an older battery. The car still draws a very small amount of power out of the battery... My friend 200k Mercedes only 1 year old empties it's battery after about 1 month without driving it...
When Rusty is on, check the voltage at the terminals. If it’s less than 13.5, your alternator is bad. When you rev the engine on rusty, the voltage should go up because the alternator provides more juice when the revs are higher. Also, you can have the parts stores hook your battery up to a tester to see if it’s bad. You can also buy a battery tester
Just check the voltage at the battery with and without the car being on and post the two numbers online. If your alternator is bad, then it can ruin your battery too.
If it’s under 12 volts it probably won’t start 13.9 means your alternator is charging it time for a new battery you can look around your area for refurbished battery’s or call a junkyard that may sell good used batteries for a lot cheaper than new just an idea also Walmart everstart or Amazon not sure on Canada for cheaper battery’s than that hope everyone’s comments helps
I would have the same problem with my Grand Caravan. The fuel pump would stay on even if the truck was off and would drain the battery. I would have to rechatge it. There is a hack for this. It's a cable you order and change the fuses places with this cable and keeps it shut off until you start the truck. The flickering is maybe because there is not enough power. There are lots of known problem with these trucks. Too much problems, get anotherone. Keep up the good work and take care.
To me it seems you have parasitic draw on the battery. Alternator seemed to be charging the battery after you got it running and driving, so I don't think that is bad. Maybe the battery is starting to go bad, but I'd check first and make sure you didn't leave something plugged into the inside power (chargers, etc.) that would drain the battery. Start with a good full charge to the battery, get yourself a decent battery charger if you don't have one. Maybe consider a trickle charger for when Rusty sits for extended periods of time, it'll save your battery from things like this. Good luck Ken!!
You need a new battery first off. Then you can proceed with troubleshooting. It possibly could be a bad alternator and battery but hopefully just the battery.
Hey Ken, it would be interesting on your next Vlog if you would you rate Rusty’s problems with all the vehicles you’ve had going back to when you started driving? I know it’s not AS STRESSFUL right now because you do have 2 working vehicles with the Volkswagen and moose, but I’m just curious. Imagine if Rusty was your daily driver to your 9 to 5 and your wife had another daily driver to her 9 to 5 and that’s it. I am 43 and two years ago. I got my first check engine light ever in a car. Unfortunately, that led to a complete engine and transmission failure. Both covered under warranty both were replaced. The joys of living and working in the great smoky mountains. My house and Job parking situation was over 1000 feet in the air at each place. Killed my transmission and then engine.
It looks like the trusty old MagnaPower is done for. What is the date code on your battery? Save a few Maple Leafs and replace it with a WalMart (N)EverStart. Wal Mart has decent warranties on batteries, check your local listings and replace it before the warranty expires. Keep it on a Battery Tender if you plan to let it sit for long periods. It looked like your alternator is charging at about 14V, which should be OK-ish. Good luck Ken.
Time to say goodbye to Rusty and scrap him out and get yourself a newer more reliable stealth camper Van and you can rename him and decorate him however you want again. 🤗🤗🤗🤗
Your most likely just in need of a new battery! Back in the day used to get 5+ years on a car battery now you’re lucky to get 2-3 years warranty! They just don’t make them the same probably intentional to sell more! Who knows!
If it is running and shuts off then your alternator is bad. The flashing lights are from the jumper box surging the system. Be carefull, your gonna fry the VW😮
no they don’t last battery wise. Try a different battery brand same voltage Interstate’s are good. But the Ac Delco batteries those were bullet proof they usually lasted well over four years
take a wire brush to the thermals and make sure there is no corrosion that could be the problem that I can see ive had a card do that but if it still dose not kick over then you need a new battery
most likey needs a new alternator and battery. just a suggestion from a HD mechanic plus if you are driving to charge up the battery, minium 20 minutes on the highway.love your videos by the way
i am not sure who quoted you that price for a battery but autozone has a battery for $139 plus the core charge which you get back when you take the old battery in
