Battery Issues (Story...)
12-18-2007, 02:38 PM
#1
2nd Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Detroit, Michigan
Posts: 208
Battery Issues (Story...)
So my car got worse and worse at starting, until it eventually wouldn't start under the power of the STOCK battery anymore.
So I tested the alt before replacing the battery to be sure, and it made a solid 14.4V at idle, which I believe is sufficient? And like 14.1V if I turned everything on, and the stereo real loud (big stereo).
So I went and got a new Optima red top, put it in, and everything was beautiful for about a month. Then the car sat for about 2 days, and wouldn't start at all. So at this point I started thinking there was some kind of drain on the battery when parked.
So today I went to test for the drain, I put an ammeter in series, it said .25A for about 5 seconds, then settled at .15A, then I started pulling fuses till I found the drain, pulling the 40A guage cluster/PCM fuse took the draw down to 0. (Which I figure is ok, that's about what the PCM should use right??)
So to compare I put the ammeter on my 1998 Bonneville SSEi, it drew .17A... so at this point I'm confused...
I took the Optima back, and exchanged it for a new one, I'm hoping it was just a bad battery?
So, here I am hoping it works now, but any other insight into what might be happening? Or if I'm on the right track.
Thanks for any input!
PS: 4.10s are basically the craziest thing ever, SO MUCH TORQUE.
[/align]
So I tested the alt before replacing the battery to be sure, and it made a solid 14.4V at idle, which I believe is sufficient? And like 14.1V if I turned everything on, and the stereo real loud (big stereo).
So I went and got a new Optima red top, put it in, and everything was beautiful for about a month. Then the car sat for about 2 days, and wouldn't start at all. So at this point I started thinking there was some kind of drain on the battery when parked.
So today I went to test for the drain, I put an ammeter in series, it said .25A for about 5 seconds, then settled at .15A, then I started pulling fuses till I found the drain, pulling the 40A guage cluster/PCM fuse took the draw down to 0. (Which I figure is ok, that's about what the PCM should use right??)
So to compare I put the ammeter on my 1998 Bonneville SSEi, it drew .17A... so at this point I'm confused...
I took the Optima back, and exchanged it for a new one, I'm hoping it was just a bad battery?
So, here I am hoping it works now, but any other insight into what might be happening? Or if I'm on the right track.
Thanks for any input!
PS: 4.10s are basically the craziest thing ever, SO MUCH TORQUE.
[/align]
12-18-2007, 04:49 PM
#2
Gentleman's Relish
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: AZ
Posts: 13,090
RE: Battery Issues (Story...)
ORIGINAL: aCiD
So my car got worse and worse at starting, until it eventually wouldn't start under the power of the STOCK battery anymore.
So I tested the alt before replacing the battery to be sure, and it made a solid 14.4V at idle, which I believe is sufficient? And like 14.1V if I turned everything on, and the stereo real loud (big stereo).
So I went and got a new Optima red top, put it in, and everything was beautiful for about a month. Then the car sat for about 2 days, and wouldn't start at all. So at this point I started thinking there was some kind of drain on the battery when parked.
So today I went to test for the drain, I put an ammeter in series, it said .25A for about 5 seconds, then settled at .15A, then I started pulling fuses till I found the drain, pulling the 40A guage cluster/PCM fuse took the draw down to 0. (Which I figure is ok, that's about what the PCM should use right??)
So to compare I put the ammeter on my 1998 Bonneville SSEi, it drew .17A... so at this point I'm confused...
I took the Optima back, and exchanged it for a new one, I'm hoping it was just a bad battery?
So, here I am hoping it works now, but any other insight into what might be happening? Or if I'm on the right track.
Thanks for any input!
PS: 4.10s are basically the craziest thing ever, SO MUCH TORQUE.
[/align]
So my car got worse and worse at starting, until it eventually wouldn't start under the power of the STOCK battery anymore.
So I tested the alt before replacing the battery to be sure, and it made a solid 14.4V at idle, which I believe is sufficient? And like 14.1V if I turned everything on, and the stereo real loud (big stereo).
So I went and got a new Optima red top, put it in, and everything was beautiful for about a month. Then the car sat for about 2 days, and wouldn't start at all. So at this point I started thinking there was some kind of drain on the battery when parked.
So today I went to test for the drain, I put an ammeter in series, it said .25A for about 5 seconds, then settled at .15A, then I started pulling fuses till I found the drain, pulling the 40A guage cluster/PCM fuse took the draw down to 0. (Which I figure is ok, that's about what the PCM should use right??)
So to compare I put the ammeter on my 1998 Bonneville SSEi, it drew .17A... so at this point I'm confused...
I took the Optima back, and exchanged it for a new one, I'm hoping it was just a bad battery?
So, here I am hoping it works now, but any other insight into what might be happening? Or if I'm on the right track.
Thanks for any input!
PS: 4.10s are basically the craziest thing ever, SO MUCH TORQUE.
[/align]
12-18-2007, 05:47 PM
#4
2nd Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Detroit, Michigan
Posts: 208
RE: Battery Issues (Story...)
But when the battery is new (he tested the battery before I took it out of the store today at 1031CCA) it starts instantly with vigour.
So it's using so much power to start it, the alt can't put an equal or greater amount of juice back in, even after driving around for say 15 mins?
[/align]
So it's using so much power to start it, the alt can't put an equal or greater amount of juice back in, even after driving around for say 15 mins?
[/align]
12-20-2007, 03:56 PM
#6
Foghorn Leghorn
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: I reside in a near constant state of amazment.
Posts: 2,923
RE: Battery Issues (Story...)
Redtop Optima batteries are WAY overrated. I have had to replace mine 2x already in about a 1.5 years. I have it in my fastback and if I let the car sit for a week or two then it is dead. If I leave it that way for 3 or 4 weeks then it will not take a charge and will test bad = warrantied battery.
This is the last one I buy. NAPA has some nice batteries.
This is the last one I buy. NAPA has some nice batteries.
12-20-2007, 04:16 PM
#7
6th Gear Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Virginia
Posts: 11,786
RE: Battery Issues (Story...)
Your ALT can have dead spots in charging. At certain RPM's or Temps. I think you should look into the Alt. and Starter some more. Plus it can be a ground. (check them all body, chass, and dirrect bat)
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