Alternator or battery cables or starter or 96 850 NA Topic is solved

[erikv11]

Car is needing a jump once it sits for a full day. Does fine if re-started within a couple hours of using it.
Car lives in Portland area, not in midwest (not one of mine).
Battery two years old, has not been abused.
Positive cable does not get hot after driving it for 30 minutes.

So far have cleaned battery posts and cable ends shiny clean, waiting for update as to whether or not that helped. But they weren't very dirty so I don't think that was the problem.

See pic.

parts store battery test

Bad alternator?

Opinions and suggestions welcome! Owner capable of some simple troubleshooting.

[scot850]

Or check if there is a parasitic draw. That can also be caused by a bad alternator too. Sounds more like a battery drain issue than a bad starter. Sure a bad starter could cause a problem with starting, but it would be an unusual fault where it is draining the battery unless the solenoid is sticking?

Neil.

[bmdubya1198]

Yeah, I would check for a draw. Might be a weak battery causing the starter to "fail" a voltage test.

[erikv11]

It was the glove box light you guys nailed it. Thanks!

[scot850]

Ah, the old favorite! Well done.

Neil.