Haven't driven the car in about a year, but somehow I got the car to start after a couple of tries cranking it.

Backed it out of the garage to let it idle for a bit and was about to drive it around to try and charge the battery, all of a sudden the car completely died while the engine was running while it was sitting in park.

Was able to start it again after a couple of seconds, but I just moved it back into the garage since I didn't want to risk getting stranded on the street if it were to die again.

Going to get it towed to a shop to get it serviced since the car needs some TLC but I was wondering, is this normal behavior for a car with low batteries?

Thanks.

 

In a word, yes.
Mine did the same a few weeks ago after leaving the drivers door ajar.
It started with the emergency routine but then cut out. After a few minutes, it started again and was fine. Been fine ever since.

Les.

 

I think they are agm batteries, and charging them they the alternator will not do the trick. They have to be trickled charged to be good again, unless it has a dead cell. Which will need battery replacement.

 

IIRC only the Starter battery is charged directly form the alternator thats why it has an explosive charge to disconnect the charge wire from the start battery in a crash. The Main battery is charged by an electronic battery charger/management unit and is not directly connected to the alternator which is why most probably slow to recharge the main battery when almost fully discharged.

 

Hi Frank.

I just checked IETIS and it's the main battery that is charged by the alternator. The starter battery is fast charged by the battery management system. Hence, using a charger like the C-Tek, it is attached to the main battery.

Hope that helps.

Les.

 

Thanks Les,
Having rechecked the cct diagrams i see the explosive charge cutter is to the starter. So that makes sense now