Honda civic 2004 battery problem

Hi,

I have recently purchased Honda Civic Ex 2004. It only has 200 mi on it.
Couple of days ago, i accidentally left one of the internal light turned on
for around 13-14 hours. Next day i tried to start it but it would not. in
fact i was not even able to use key-less entry and had to use the key. My
neighbour helped me jump start and i took it to a nearby pepboys for
charging. I also asked them to check the conditon of battery (for which
they also charged $$, so it was a professional check). They charged the
battery but told me that battery was pretty weak and i should go to the
dealer and have it replaced because obviously i still have warranty. I have
2 questions:

1.Is it possible that battery really became so dead that it needs to be
replaced ? it was in a brand new car !!!
2. Obviously it was my fault that battery drained. would the warranty still
be valid ?

thanks
kn

 

Completely draining a lead-acid battery is about the worst treatment you
can give it. It certainly can kill the battery even if it happens just
once. I can't imagine that it would be covered under warranty but it
does not hurt to ask.

 

Take it to the dealer and tell them you are having battery problems. Say
nothing about leaving light on or taking to Peppboys. Making those
statements will only give them an excuse to charge you for what is obviously
a bad battery to start with. An interior light should not discharge a
battery in 13-14 hours. New batteries can be defective....

 

pep boys may have made a quick test. you should let the battery set a day or
two and recheck after being charged up. Even using it in the car is ok.
just have it checked by dealer and if it needs replaced they'll replace it.
leaving lights on and running battery down isn't really hurtung the battery.
UNLESS! it freezes up.

 

kn,
I advise you to take it for about a one hour drive which should charge up
the battery really well. Do this at the end of your day. If it starts up
and runs normally the following day and many days there after--there is
nothing wrong with your battery. On the other hand, if your Civic fails to
start the following morning--jump start it--and take it to the dealer and
tell the service writer that the battery needed to be checked and
replaced. Don't tell him that you left the internal light turned on 13-14
hours or they will probably say that you have to pay for a new battery.