2005 Subaru Outback is hard to start. Is it the battery?

Question

It's a 05 Subaru Outback. Bought it used last week been starting right up fine. Two days ago tried to start it and it struggled. Basically all my lights when out when I turned key, it made a funny noise and then car started. Drove it home and next morning couldn't get it to start at all. Jumped it and took it to autozone and had the battery tested. Machine said to replace the battery but the guy who tested it for me said my terminals were really lose and to tighten them, drive it around for a few days and see if the problem goes away. Tightened the terminals drove it for a day fine. And now it's giving me the same problems starting. Do you all think replacing the battery will fix this?

Answer 1

Yes.

Was the "funny sound" like a fast ticking, like a switch rapid firing over and over really fast?

Answer 2

If the battery is more than 4 years it’s probably done. If the tester said the battery is done then it’s probably done. After you get a new battery put it on a trickle charger if you have a garage.

Comments

Is there any benefit to a trickle charger if the alternator works fine and the car us driven regularly?

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If your car is driven regularly you won’t need a trickle charger. Trickle charger is not a jump pack