can extreme heat outside kill a battery

[Rising Phoenix]

we just had to have my sister's new car jumped and we don't know what killed the battery....

[Rising Phoenix]

1. kick

[Guava Jelly]

3. I guess it can

What effect does extreme heat have on my battery?

Heat is the number one cause of battery failure. Extreme heat causes the water in the battery's electrolyte to evaporate. Further, heat causes a battery's positive plate grids to corrode more rapidly. Both of these conditions are detrimental to the long-term life of a battery
http://www.exide.com/faq/faq_auto.html

[Roon]

2. I know cold will kill a battery

Don't know about the heat...take the car to checker and get the alternator and battery checked for free!! That should pinpoint what your problem is.

[Oeditpus Rex]

4. It can, but it isn't as likely to do it as extreme cold

I'd suspect armature lock in the starter, which is caused by heat.

What kind of car and how hot is it?

[Rising Phoenix]

5. 02 Saturn....90 something degrees

it made a click clicking sound when we tired to turn it on

[skygazer]

6. 90 something degrees shouldn't really do that

Can't really call that "extreme". How old's the battery? I'd get it checked.

[Oeditpus Rex]

7. Yeah, I'd bet on armature lock

What happens is the starter's innards expand from the heat and won't turn. The clicking is the starter drive trying to engage when activated by the solenoid.

It's a common problem on older GM cars, particularly with exhaust headers. The starter is block-mounted, with almost no space for air flow between the block (which gets hot) and the header (which gets hotter). I've never heard of it on a Saturn, but it's a heat-related thing, so... :shrug:

Check local auto parts stores. You might be able to find a starter shield or wrap that partially protects it from heat.

[triguy46]

8. Yes. Prob not as much as cold, but yes, high temps will tilt a marginal battery.

[Fredda Weinberg]

9. Happens down south all the time. n/t

[SPKrazy]

10. Well if it can kill anything

it will kill a battery that is on its way out anyway.

:shrug: