Take the terminals off, clean them with a paste of baking soda and water. Then get the battery tested. It’s odd they said they couldn’t test it in this condition—it’s totally possible to test a battery after cleaning it. By the way, where did you buy the battery? If it’s from AAA, it should still be under warranty from when you purchased it.
@Zaren
I already cleaned it up after taking those pics. AAA tested the battery earlier and said it was around 50%, but they thought the terminal was the bigger problem. Then I went to the dealer, and they recommended replacing the battery completely.
@Marlow
Wait, 50% health? What was the charge level? If you bought this at a Napa, they should honor the warranty and replace it. Make sure you save your receipt and your AAA number. Some stores aren’t connected, but if you have proof of purchase, they should replace it without a problem.
@Zaren
From what you’ve said, it sounds bad. Remember, the warranty starts from the purchase date, not the sticker date. You’ll need proof of purchase. Unfortunately, we get a lot of fake claims, so they’re strict about it.
@Zaren
Here’s my last bit of advice for now. Batteries like these often fail after 3 years, especially depending on how they’re used. If it’s from 2018, definitely replace it. Batteries are expensive, but AAA’s prices aren’t terrible—they’re about $20 more for the added warranty year. If you have AAA, you get discounts on other stuff too, so it’s worth it in the long run.
@Zaren
Thanks for all the advice! Just to recap, this battery was installed by AAA roadside in March 2023, and I’m planning to have AAA replace it since it’s under the 3-year warranty. My main reason for posting was to see if there could be another issue causing the problem, or if it’s just the battery.
@Marlow
Sometimes it’s just the season—batteries can fail faster depending on the weather. But also check the terminals, ground connections, or for things like phantom drains or bad relays. Most of the time, though, it’s just a bad battery.
@Marlow
I sent you a DM with a bit more info. Hope it helps!
Try putting your foot on the brake, shifting into park, and then turning it off.
Wes said:
Try putting your foot on the brake, shifting into park, and then turning it off.
Disconnect the negative terminal on the battery if that doesn’t work.
Wes said:
Try putting your foot on the brake, shifting into park, and then turning it off.
Is this a serious suggestion? I know how to turn a car off normally. This issue has only happened twice, and I’ve had this car for under four years.
@Marlow
I’m being serious. Cars act strange sometimes.
Weird issue. Pulling the fuel pump fuse would drop pressure in the fuel lines, which would make it hard to restart. That’s usually what we do when working on fuel lines. Start by fixing the battery—it has a lot of corrosion. Also, your brake fluid looks bad, and your pads might be worn down.
It sounds like the car thinks it’s not in park even though you’ve shifted it. Maybe there’s an issue with the shifter? I’m not a mechanic, but that’s my guess.