# Car struggles to start after having accessories on for 20 minutes **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** nissan, altima\ **Created:** [November 29, 2021, 1:57am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-struggles-to-start-after-having-accessories-on-for-20-minutes/180940 "2021-11-29T01:57:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![ledhed75](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f6c823/32.png) [@ledhed75](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ledhed75)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2021, 8:00pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-struggles-to-start-after-having-accessories-on-for-20-minutes/180940/21 "2021-11-29T20:00:53Z")
Yeah, the issue here is letting the “A/C” or cabin fan run with the engine off. All the other electrical accessories don’t add up to much. Stop turning on the “A/C”, and your problem will likely go away. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/48514_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2021, 8:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-struggles-to-start-after-having-accessories-on-for-20-minutes/180940/22 "2021-11-29T20:38:41Z")
> [@ledhed75](#): > > Stop turning on the “A/C”, and your problem will likely go away. Yes, but this very curious behavior is also draining the battery needlessly: > [@hannahabuata](#): > > interior lights, sometimes exterior lights ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2021, 11:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-struggles-to-start-after-having-accessories-on-for-20-minutes/180940/23 "2021-11-29T23:50:51Z")
Good idea above to clean & properly tighten the battery connections. I’ve had that problem before, with similar symptoms. That’s where to start. If the problem continues, a battery load or conductance test is next. I know you’ve said it’s only 1 year old, but batteries are like any other car part, can sometimes be defective right from the factory. In any event, when parked & engine off, suggest to not turn the headlights on at all, parking lights ok. And if absolutely needed, only run the blower motor briefly, 2 or 3 minutes say, then leave it off 10-15 minutes before turning it on again. If you need it more than that, start the car first. We get some complaints here from time to time about newer vehicles with this problem, caused b/c the owner isn’t driving the vehicle as much as is necessary to keep the battery charged. Generally a freeway-speed drive of 30 minutes once a day is more than enough. Do you drive your car that much? If not, how much do you drive it? Another idea, next time the car’s at the shop overnight, ask them to do the basic battery/alternator check the next morning. Before the first start of the day the battery should measure about 12.6 volts. Then immediately after starting the engine, 13.5-15.5 volts. ---
**Author:** ![hannahabuata](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5e925/32.png) [@hannahabuata](https://community.cartalk.com/u/hannahabuata)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2021, 3:35am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-struggles-to-start-after-having-accessories-on-for-20-minutes/180940/24 "2021-11-30T03:35:09Z")
I guess you didn’t read my replies to other people. I said I occasionally turn it on only in hot weather because it helps somewhat. Never do I turn the heat on in the winter w/ the car off. Problem still persists with just interior lights running for 20 minutes ---
**Author:** ![weekend-warrior](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/weekend-warrior/32/26122_2.png) [@weekend-warrior](https://community.cartalk.com/u/weekend-warrior)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2021, 3:40am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-struggles-to-start-after-having-accessories-on-for-20-minutes/180940/25 "2021-11-30T03:40:00Z")
even though you said you had your alternator checked. it could be working correctly intermittently causing your battery not to charge fully. just a thought ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2021, 1:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-struggles-to-start-after-having-accessories-on-for-20-minutes/180940/26 "2021-11-30T13:56:04Z")
What are you doing that requires that much time and apparently often that needs you to run things with the vehicle off ? Find yourself a coffee shop with WiFi , problem solved. ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2021, 2:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-struggles-to-start-after-having-accessories-on-for-20-minutes/180940/27 "2021-11-30T14:21:00Z")
> [@TheWonderful90s](#): > > 2000 to 3000 hours is typical for a car battery. It depends on what part of the country you live at. And HOURS of use has little to do with it. A battery just sitting in hot climate will decrease it’s longevity. Car batteries in Northern US last 2-3 times longer then batteries in the deep south. > [@TheWonderful90s](#): > > If you had run the battery down, then it often won’t take longer to start again. It’ll just crank for a few seconds and if it doesn’t start by then it’ll be too late and it’ll need a jump. If the battery is run down then the engine WON’T crank. ---
**Author:** ![TheWonderful90s](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/thewonderful90s/32/29584_2.png) [@TheWonderful90s](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TheWonderful90s)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2021, 3:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-struggles-to-start-after-having-accessories-on-for-20-minutes/180940/28 "2021-11-30T15:45:39Z")
> [@MikeInNH](#): > > Car batteries in Northern US last 2-3 times longer then batteries in the deep south. Because of over charging! That’s the only logical reason. Batteries used in the south also tend to be smaller with lower cranking amps which would be another huge factor. Car batteries in daily drivers tend to die more from positive plate failure, which is from over charging. Excessive cycling, which breaks down both the positive and negative plates happens too. Higher temperatures mean that the full charge Voltage of a lead acid battery is lower! The lack of a $2 temperature compensation charging circuit is just a way for the industry to rake in more cash. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2021, 7:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-struggles-to-start-after-having-accessories-on-for-20-minutes/180940/29 "2021-11-30T19:36:56Z")
> [@hannahabuata](#): > > I guess you didn’t read my replies to other people. Regardless, the answer is pretty evident. You likely need a battery but even with a new battery you will be discharging it too much using it the way you do. ---
**Author:** ![Renegade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Renegade](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Renegade)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2021, 8:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-struggles-to-start-after-having-accessories-on-for-20-minutes/180940/30 "2021-11-30T20:08:19Z")
> [@hannahabuata](#): > > It is usually when i’m just sitting in the car with the interior lights on because i’m doing something where I need to see If there is room somewhere in the car you can look into adding a second battery with an isolater like they do in campers that way you can leave the key off and not be drawing from the starting battery just using the secondary battery for your work and lights. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2021, 9:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-struggles-to-start-after-having-accessories-on-for-20-minutes/180940/31 "2021-11-30T21:44:10Z")
> **[Car Battery Issues - Heat is Your Car Battery's Worst Enemy - Hi-Tech Car...](https://www.hi-techcarcare.com/battery/car-battery-issues/)** > > Heat can decrease the lifespan of your battery significantly. If you are having car battery issues, watch our very own Justin Armstrong to see how to know. Tester ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2021, 10:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-struggles-to-start-after-having-accessories-on-for-20-minutes/180940/32 "2021-11-30T22:08:23Z")
> [@TheWonderful90s](#): > > Because of over charging! That’s the only logical reason. NO…High heat is the killer of automotive batteries. Cold weather will show you how bad your battery is. Here in the North East we average 7-10 years on a car battery. Still have the OEM battery on my 14 Highlander. But I may replace it soon. Little bit of a slow start when temps reached the 20’s [How Hot Weather Affects Your Car Battery - Consumer Reports](https://www.consumerreports.org/car-batteries/how-hot-weather-affects-your-car-battery-what-to-do-about-it/) [Does Heat Drain Car Batteries? | Firestone Complete Auto Care](https://www.firestonecompleteautocare.com/blog/batteries/does-heat-drain-car-batteries/) > [@TheWonderful90s](#): > > Batteries used in the south also tend to be smaller with lower cranking amps which would be another huge factor. Again…NO. You buy an Accord in the North and then one in the south they’ll have the same battery. Who keeps feeding you this garbage on cars? ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2021, 10:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-struggles-to-start-after-having-accessories-on-for-20-minutes/180940/33 "2021-11-30T22:10:59Z")
No offense to either of you, but it’s like a wind up doll. Back and forth, back and forth, page after page. ---
**Author:** ![Renegade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Renegade](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Renegade)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2021, 10:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-struggles-to-start-after-having-accessories-on-for-20-minutes/180940/34 "2021-11-30T22:12:15Z")
> [@MikeInNH](#): > > Who keeps feeding you this garbage on cars? Who keeps rattling his cage. ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2021, 11:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-struggles-to-start-after-having-accessories-on-for-20-minutes/180940/35 "2021-11-30T23:19:11Z")
> [@bing](#): > > No offense to either of you, but it’s like a wind up doll. Back and forth, back and forth, page after page. My day isn’t complete without the Bing. Have you ever thought about ignoring a post that bothers you. We’d all appreciate it. ---
**Author:** ![TheWonderful90s](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/thewonderful90s/32/29584_2.png) [@TheWonderful90s](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TheWonderful90s)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2021, 3:57am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-struggles-to-start-after-having-accessories-on-for-20-minutes/180940/36 "2021-12-01T03:57:05Z")
> [@MikeInNH](#): > > [How Hot Weather Affects Your Car Battery - Consumer Reports](https://www.consumerreports.org/car-batteries/how-hot-weather-affects-your-car-battery-what-to-do-about-it/) > [Does Heat Drain Car Batteries? | Firestone Complete Auto Care](https://www.firestonecompleteautocare.com/blog/batteries/does-heat-drain-car-batteries/) Actually it looks like every single claim that the Firestone article mentioned, other than parking in the shade, is false information. This is the kind of garbage that is out on the Internet today. Fake $20 2TB USB flash drives flood market places like eBay and Amazon and nobody cares to put an end to it. And this kind of information is published and nobody cares to verify that any of it is true. The Firestone link seems to be the expected load of either irrelevant or false automotive information, but the Consumer Reports link had some interesting information, quoted below: > [@](#): > > The North batteries emphasize cold-cranking amps (a measure of how well the battery starts an engine during extreme cold weather), whereas the South batteries have higher electrolyte-to-lead ratios that bolster durability in the heat. I didn’t know that there were different battery types in the south. I had heard about it, but the guy at Interstate Batteries said that there was no such thing other than people buying smaller batteries since winter cranking is not an issue, so I thought it was just a false rumor. In any case I guess Interstate doesn’t sell different batteries in the south. edit: We also got scammed by Interstate’s free battery check. I was helping someone with a car that ended up having a bad starter, so we took the battery in and they said that the battery was bad on their battery test when it fact it wasn’t, even if it was a little weak. So a still half good battery was thrown out. The battery must hold 7.2 Volts for 30 seconds on the full cranking Amps test as that is the standard , not 12 Volts. So they sell a battery is the south that has more electrolyte. Why does it need more electrolyte? Because it goes away. How does it go away? From charging. Why does it go away faster than in the north? Because of more charging. Why does it charge more? Higher temperature is equivalent to increasing the battery charge voltage. So in the end the higher temperatures in the south result in more excessive charging. You think a battery manufacturer is going to put increasing the life of their product as a priority? In uninterruptible power supplies they charge the batteries at 13.6 Volts. They are consistently ruined in 3 to 5 years depending on temperature. The battery even recommends this charge voltage on the information printed on the side. I have an 11 year old somewhat sulfated UPS battery that still somewhat works because I have been careful to not over charge it. 13.3 Volts versus 13.6 charging makes a world of difference. The required decrease in charging Voltage as temperature increases is quite substantial for a lead acid battery. It looks like Bing doesn’t like ping pong or tennis, nor does he want get involved in a discussion about getting the most life out of a battery. I agree that tennis is rather boring. In these discussions on here they usually only address a small out of context portion of my claims and then refute them, often with some type of irrelevant apples to oranges comparison. ---
**Author:** ![Barkydog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/barkydog/32/2470_2.png) [@Barkydog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barkydog)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2021, 4:05am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-struggles-to-start-after-having-accessories-on-for-20-minutes/180940/37 "2021-12-01T04:05:41Z")
I would have to ask my bud computer guy for a nationwide auto parts store. He did tell me batteries die in the south due to heat, I have never heard they make different batteries for climate. Why would a charging system work differently way down south vs way up north? The idea they make different batteries and charging systems based on climate seems preposterous. ---
**Author:** ![TheWonderful90s](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/thewonderful90s/32/29584_2.png) [@TheWonderful90s](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TheWonderful90s)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2021, 4:13am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-struggles-to-start-after-having-accessories-on-for-20-minutes/180940/38 "2021-12-01T04:13:05Z")
> [@Barkydog](#): > > Why would a charging system work differently way down south vs way up north? In a northern winter, it can take 14.7 Volts to fully charge a battery. In a hot climate, 14.0 Volts may be all it takes to reach the same charge level. When you exceed full charge, the electrolyte starts bubbling away as it is split in to hydrogen and oxygen. The positive plates in the battery are also getting thinner and thinner as they take part in the reaction. ---
**Author:** ![Barkydog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/barkydog/32/2470_2.png) [@Barkydog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barkydog)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2021, 4:14am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-struggles-to-start-after-having-accessories-on-for-20-minutes/180940/39 "2021-12-01T04:14:11Z")
The idea they make different batteries and charging systems based on climate seems preposterous. It is a control, not like I am in AZ I only need 14 volts vs I am in MN I need 14.7 volts ---
**Author:** ![TheWonderful90s](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/thewonderful90s/32/29584_2.png) [@TheWonderful90s](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TheWonderful90s)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2021, 4:16am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-struggles-to-start-after-having-accessories-on-for-20-minutes/180940/40 "2021-12-01T04:16:13Z")
They don’t make different charging systems for the south, that’s why they sell batteries with more electrolyte in the south that can better handle the over charging. Or I should say, don’t require more maintenance in the south. Increasing the electrolyte volume doesn’t increase the plate (electrode) life. [Previous page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-struggles-to-start-after-having-accessories-on-for-20-minutes/180940.md?page=1) [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-struggles-to-start-after-having-accessories-on-for-20-minutes/180940.md?page=3)