# Mechanics, help please!
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mechanics-help-please/194405
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [August 11, 2003, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mechanics-help-please/194405 "2003-08-11T15:47:10Z")
**Posts on this page:** 2
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Brad\_Amundsen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brad_Amundsen)
#### Post date: [August 11, 2003, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mechanics-help-please/194405/1 "2003-08-11T15:47:10Z")
I tried to start my van this morning, after it had sat unused for 40 hours, and it would only turn over very slow.It did just barely start. I ran it for about 15 minutes, hoping to charge what I thought was a dead battery,then turned it off and tried to start it again. The same thing happened and I was just able to get it to start.
I cleaned the battery posts, hoping it was dirty terminals and reconnected it. Know it turns over slightly but not enough to start
If I let it sit for awhile it turns over a little better.
This problem came out of the blue. I haven’t had any problem starting it at all in the past this was the first time.
Does this sound like a bad battery,a bad alternator, a bad starter or other?
Thank You for your help
Brad Amundsen
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### Author:  [@roadrunner70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/roadrunner70)
#### Post date: [August 11, 2003, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mechanics-help-please/194405/2 "2003-08-11T16:05:34Z")
It sounds like either the battery or the alternator. Normally, 15 minutes would charge up a good battery enough for a good start, if the alternator’s putting out and the battery’s charging. The only way to know for sure is a voltage check. If you don’t have a meter, a lot of the parts store’s will check it out for you, then sell you what you need to fix it.