Why does my car have trouble starting and radio resets?

Question

I left my car for about a week (on vacation) and when I got back the car took ~2 minutes to start. It was turning over really slow, then started to speed up. Now when I start it, it takes 4-5 seconds and has the same slow sound at first. The radio also resets to 12:00 every time it starts. It's a 2000 Honda Civic. Thanks and 10 points to someone who can help.

Answer 1

looks like ur battery is gone ... clock restarting proves it! i think getting a new battery wud do the job ... gd luck!

Answer 2

Take your battery either to autozone or advance auto parts, they will tell you if your battery needs replacing, that's what it sound like.

Answer 3

9 times out of 10 it's just your battery. It could be dead cell. Or just a really old one. I would say to go to Advance auto and have them run a check on your battery. It's free. If the battery is fine then check the tightness of your cables. They can come loose and you will  not get the right connection to charge the systems in your car.

Answer 4

Well the most obvious thing that comes to mind is the battery has a low state of charge. It may need replacing or at least a good recharge.

What concerns me is that your clock and radio presets all reset after trying to start the car. I am sure my fellow answerers will disagree with me on this, but a weak battery will not always do this during a restart.

I would first check to make sure your battery connections are clean and tight. You can't just look at them. You have to actually remove the battery cables from the battery. With gloves and eye protection on, clean them using a paste of baking soda and water. rinse them off really good and reconnect them to the battery. Make sure the connections are good and tight. If they aren't them replace the cable ends.

Poor connections will usually reset a clock and radio presets. If the vehicle has been sitting as you mentioned, the corrosion had plenty of time to grow.

If everything checks out good and your connections are tight, then I would replace the battery

Answer 5

bad battery, or a short some where. Your battery doesn't seem to be holding a charge, and so when you try to start, it sucks the available amperage and voltage way down, and when the voltage/amperage drops past a circuit point, your radio basically reboots as it requires a specific voltage to function. Once you have started the car and the alternator is now supplying full voltage, the radio comes back 'on' as it is now getting the power it needs.

Most any garage/shop can easily test to see if your battery is bad, and most chain part stores have battery testers - if you want to take your battery out and lug it into the store.

If you do remove the battery - remember always disconnect the black ground (-) wire first, then the positive hot wire.  install in the opposite order - hot first, then ground. why?

if you happen to touch any part of the car while loosening the ground terminal, it doesn't matter - ground to ground. Once this wire is off, the battery ids no longer 'attached' electrically to the car, so now if you touch part of the car while loosening removing the hot wire, it doesn't matter, as there is no circuit. If you try doing the hot wire first (if removing) and touch something metallic with the tool and the terminal, you arc and can shock yourself, burn yourself, or even start a fire.)  

Just remember you do not want the battery grounded to the car (complete circuit) while doing anything with the hot (positive) lead.

oh - and remember batteries are HEAVY!! Some parts stores will lend you a cart to bring the battery in on.

They can usually also load test your alternator, but unless you plan on doing all the repairs yourself, easier to find a shop and have them test - usually the test fee will be waived if you have them do the fix.

Answer 6

ok here is some possibility ... 1st.. check you battery connection... make sure everything is tight , and if it is then your battery is dead........ replace it ...it should take care of the problem ...