need help

[firehawk1120]

Ok, the cars been in the garage most of the winter and I've jumped started it a few times. Recently I went out drove around and the car died when I parked and came back out. I had someone jump me and was able to make it home.

Since then I've taken off the positive and negative connectors, cleaned up the attached bolts and reconnected the battery.

The car starts up but it won't stay started unless I give it gas and keep the rpm's at like 2 grand. as soon as I take my foot off the gas the rpms drop down and then the car shuts off. Is this a dead battery issue? Bad connection issue? I have no idea what to do anymore. Any help??

[Untamed]

Accumulated water (moisture) in the gas tank / lines?

Does it idle rough before it dies? Or it wont idle long enough before dying to know?

Disconnected vacuum line?

[firehawk1120]

It starts to idle up and down between like 500-1500 then just dies. I've driven it recently like I said so I don't know if there can be moisture build up, can there?

[baddest434]

maybe your alternator is'nt holding a charge anymore.

edit: how old is the battery?

[alamantia]

go in your bathroom, grab the rubbing alchohol, dump it in the tank, drive it a bit and see if it clears up

[firehawk1120]

Bill i pray to god it's not the alternator, but it's something that crossed my mind. The battery is a red top that I got last summer, but I didn't properly disconnect it over the winter and had to recharge it several times since I didn't drive it in the snow, or when i wasn't feeling good.

Alamantia is that a joke or are you serious. I'm not a complete retard, but I'm not a car genius either. Sorry.

[alamantia]

once the car is started i dont think you need a battery.

Isyporople (oh however ya spell is) is whats in "Dry Gas" so, that being said, if moisture has built up in th etank contamionating the fuel, you can either go to the parts store and buy Isoprople or you can use what in your house, my theroy, do the cheapest fix first $0.89 for rubbing alchahol vs. a $150 altenator, its worth a try

[alamantia]

http://www.valvoline.com/pages/products/product_detail.asp?product=39

here ya go playa

[GP99GT]

i heard that recharging the optima batteries makes them die, because theyre gel instead of normal liquid like regular sealed batteries.

[WildBillyT]

Alamantia is that a joke or are you serious. I'm not a complete retard, but I'm not a car genius either. Sorry.

No, he's serious. There is a pretty decent chance that your gas is bad. You should add dry gas to it and fill it as much as possible with fresh gas. Don't dump a bottle of regular isopropyl... get a bottle of dry gas. I take it you didn't put fuel stabilizer in the tank before you stored the car?

[firehawk1120]

well I have some free time tomorrow so I'm off to the gas station to get a fresh supply of gas, and put in the dry gas. Hopefully that will solve the problem. If not them I'm gonna have to check other things like the alternator or possibly the fuel pump according to a reliable source.

I'll let ya know tomorrow how things go. And to answer your question NO i didn't put in fuel stabilizer. I planned on driving it more then I did especially cause I didn't feel good and the surgery, and the fact i'm a year over due for inspection.