by "Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer" (smallbear94)
Published 11/10/2017 at 11:24
by "Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer" (smallbear94)
Published 11/10/2017 at 11:24
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When I was at the dealer a couple weeks ago they checked the battery. According to them it’s ready to fail. I didn’t want to pay their price for a battery and I wanted to get it checked somewhere else rather than throw money at a dealer, so I told them I’d take my chances on it for the time being. And then forgot to take it anywhere else.
Anyway, they warned me that one of the things that would happen is that it would fail to start if it got too cold. This morning it was -9C. A bit of a slow start, but nothing that I would have noticed without being warned. Didn’t seem too bad. And I hadn’t noticed anything before taking it in either.
The truck is a 2010 on what I believe is the original battery. Advice? Leave it? Replace it? Will any battery do, or are there some to avoid? Is it worth going for a more expensive one are the cheapos ok?
This is the result they got:
"Shoop" (shoopdawoop993)
11/10/2017 at 11:26, STARS: 1
Auto parts stores will check it for free
"adamftw" (adamftw)
11/10/2017 at 11:27, STARS: 8
7 years old and the original battery? Replace it.
/thread.
"For Sweden" (rallybeetle)
11/10/2017 at 11:28, STARS: 5
Wait and buy a battery on sale. Bring a jumper pack just in case.
"Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer" (smallbear94)
11/10/2017 at 11:28, STARS: 0
I was planning on going, but like I said I forgot. Still planning on it but figured fwiw why not throw the question on oppo
"Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer" (smallbear94)
11/10/2017 at 11:29, STARS: 0
As far as I know, anyway. The truck was 4 1/2 years old when I bought it. It may have been replaced but I don’t know why it would be failing again already.
"Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer" (smallbear94)
11/10/2017 at 11:30, STARS: 0
^ This is a good suggestion.
"Shoop" (shoopdawoop993)
11/10/2017 at 11:31, STARS: 3
Also I would replace it. 8 years is a long time and it’s only going to get worse.
"Wacko" (wacko--)
11/10/2017 at 11:32, STARS: 1
I never had an oem battery last more than 5 years. But I live in Fuck it’s cold territory.
Change it for a AGM battery and give a big middle finger to the cold.
"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
11/10/2017 at 11:32, STARS: 1
I’d just go to Napa or Autozone and buy a new mid-range battery. 7 years is about the lift span for a battery. When they go flat nothing works.
"crowmolly" (crowmolly)
11/10/2017 at 11:32, STARS: 0
Absolutely. The battery may have a sticker on it with the manufacture date.
"MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s" (mastermario)
11/10/2017 at 11:34, STARS: 0
My dad’s truck is a 2001 Dodge 2500 diesel and he is still rocking the original batteries somehow. Granted it’s not a daily driver, but it’s still impressive.
"Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer" (smallbear94)
11/10/2017 at 11:34, STARS: 0
That’s what they said at the dealer. But, dealers require fact checking... thanks :)
"MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s" (mastermario)
11/10/2017 at 11:35, STARS: 2
Keep using it until it doesn’t work anymore and just buy and carry a jump pack with you. My dad’s truck is a 2001 Dodge 2500 diesel that still has the original batteries...it’s not his daily driver, but they still start the truck every time and haven’t shown any indication of degradation yet
"adamftw" (adamftw)
11/10/2017 at 11:37, STARS: 1
Cheap batteries can go in 3 years, not something I’ve never seen before.
"Alfalfa" (alfalfa-romeo)
11/10/2017 at 11:38, STARS: 2
If you don’t have a jumper pack, it’s a great investment anyhow. Tote it around just in case, and just keep running the battery until it dies or you get around to replacing it. I’m also a firm believer in desulfaters, that battery could have a few more years of you find a good one and plug it in for a weekend.
"Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer" (smallbear94)
11/10/2017 at 11:38, STARS: 0
Now that you mention it...
On now at Partsource. A lot cheaper than the dealer offering too.
"adamftw" (adamftw)
11/10/2017 at 11:38, STARS: 0
Those are setup like a boat where one is starting and the other is everything else, so that makes sense. They go a while.
"Urambo Tauro" (urambotauro)
11/10/2017 at 11:39, STARS: 1
My multimeter has a min/max record function, so I like to use that and the car’s own starter motor to perform my own battery load testing. I seem to recall that yes, 9.6 volts is the minimum recommended threshold. 8.8 volts is too low, but you might want to give that another try after fully charging the battery.
It’s good to see that they tested alternator output in addition to load-testing the battery, but it doesn’t look like they checked for parasitic drain. If the battery was low going in, it might have affected the results. Or maybe they’re right- maybe the battery just can’t hold that much of a charge anymore.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
11/10/2017 at 11:41, STARS: 2
Its time to replace it by age alone. I would.
"EL_ULY" (uly)
11/10/2017 at 11:43, STARS: 1
you’re on borrowed time for sure but I personally have a crap battery for about 6 month before it failed......150 miles from home or work where I had a free new style AGM battery waiting for me
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
11/10/2017 at 11:44, STARS: 0
So I’ve got this tiny boat that I sometimes use. Its got a group 24 deep cycle as the start battery (for one, it shouldn’t be a deep cycle). I generally put the boat away for the winter without doing much to it, including disconnecting the battery. Every season its dead so I charge it and after it takes all afternoon to start for the first time it starts everytime. Rinse/repeat for longer than I can actually remember. I’ve NEVER replaced this batter and I’ve owned it for 10 years (in an 86 and my family bought it new). I don’t understand this witchcraft. I do a specific gravity test on it and it still shows good.
"Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer" (smallbear94)
11/10/2017 at 11:44, STARS: 0
ForSweden suggested this. It’s a decent plan.
I think I’ll see what sort of price I can find a half-decent battery for first though.
"Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer" (smallbear94)
11/10/2017 at 11:47, STARS: 0
I have never heard of that thing. I’ll check it out.
"Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer" (smallbear94)
11/10/2017 at 11:50, STARS: 0
...never thought of doing that. If I had a multimeter that could do that I’d try it. The parts store will do it for free though, so that’s cheaper than a new multimeter :)
I’m getting it checked in any case.
"Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer" (smallbear94)
11/10/2017 at 11:51, STARS: 0
The service guy at the dealer seemed shocked it was still going.
...but like I replied to someone else on here, dealers require fact checking :)
"adamftw" (adamftw)
11/10/2017 at 11:51, STARS: 1
Deep cycle batteries are magic.
"Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer" (smallbear94)
11/10/2017 at 11:52, STARS: 1
The thing that bugs me is winter. If this was caught in spring I’d probably ignore it
"Thomas Donohue" (tomonomics)
11/10/2017 at 11:54, STARS: 4
One important variable is your driving habits. If on a normal day you start the truck and then drive 30 min to work, and then do the same at night, you likely have a battery that gets adequately recharged on a regular basis. That battery might last a very long time.
If you cold start the car, drive 5 min, and turn it off. Then start it again, drive 2 miles, turn it off, etc....if you do this six times a day, but never drive more then 10 min at a time, you will have vastly different results in battery life.
If you started the car in -9C I’d think it’s still in good shape. Then again, if it’s at least 5 years old, just replace it to avoid getting stuck. If you have a portable jump-starter, you can roll the dice and wait for a battery sale. But there is nothing worse than turning the key on a cold/snowy night, far from home, and only hearing ‘click click click’.
"Alfalfa" (alfalfa-romeo)
11/10/2017 at 11:54, STARS: 2
They’re invaluable. Basically they pulsate charges that loosen mineral deposits on your battery core. Any dead car battery I’ve seen can be resurrected at least once and be good for a few more years.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
11/10/2017 at 11:55, STARS: 0
Thats the thing though, using it as a start battery should have killed it ages ago. Wont die.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
11/10/2017 at 11:56, STARS: 0
I thought they were setup in parallel for cold weather cranking amp. I remember the GMT400 trucks had a dual battery option but it was for cranking.
"Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer" (smallbear94)
11/10/2017 at 11:57, STARS: 0
Usually all I do is a 15-20 minute commute. However my role at work is changing so I’ll probably end up doing more of those 3-5 minute runs in quick succession. This is good information.
"MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s" (mastermario)
11/10/2017 at 12:03, STARS: 0
I believe they are set up in parallel for extra amperage when cranking. My 2000 Chevy 454 has dual batteries too and they are set up in parallel
"adamftw" (adamftw)
11/10/2017 at 12:04, STARS: 0
Are they? For some reason I thought they were separate.
"adamftw" (adamftw)
11/10/2017 at 12:04, STARS: 0
That’s why I said.. magic.
"MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s" (mastermario)
11/10/2017 at 12:05, STARS: 0
Really? I thought deep cycle marine batteries were meant for starting too, they just have the capability to be run down a lot more without damaging the battery.
"MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s" (mastermario)
11/10/2017 at 12:06, STARS: 0
I do think you’re right...my 2000 454 has dual batteries in parallel and I believe my dad’s truck is set up that way too, it wouldn’t make sense to have it set up like a boat.
"gmctavish needs more space" (gmctavish)
11/10/2017 at 12:07, STARS: 2
And this is why we always left our cars idling when dropping off parts when I worked for an auto parts store. Also to save the starter motor.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
11/10/2017 at 12:07, STARS: 0
Thats funny, I said just the exact same thing.
"MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s" (mastermario)
11/10/2017 at 12:07, STARS: 0
Haha...yea I saw your comment after I had replied to him already.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
11/10/2017 at 12:08, STARS: 1
Nah, starting on a deep cycle is bad news for them. They have thicker plates and putting a lot of amps through them sulfates them badly. AGM/GEL and new batteries are considered dual cycle but you shouldn’t use a deep cycle wet cell for starting...unless you get a magic one like I did.
"MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s" (mastermario)
11/10/2017 at 12:09, STARS: 0
I can’t think of a good reason to set dual batteries up like a boat anyways. Most people aren’t running accessories on a car when the engine is off.
"bhtooefr" (bhtooefr)
11/10/2017 at 12:17, STARS: 2
I concur with replacing it.
If the truck originally had AGM (very unlikely), then use AGM, but otherwise, just make sure it’s the right capacity (surprisingly hard to find that spec) and power output, and isn’t something like the massively overrated Optima batteries.
A higher quality battery from basically anywhere will do.
"Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer" (smallbear94)
11/10/2017 at 12:35, STARS: 0
This is why I post stuff like this here... I had no idea about things like capacity being different battery to battery. Figured car batteries had specific specs and were pretty much interchangeable, just some were made better than others.
"Echo51" (echo2047)
11/10/2017 at 13:24, STARS: 1
Spot on. My mom had a bad battery, ECU threw the error code for low voltage ocassionally, i drained it sitting with the radio on shortly/checking lights once. Recharged it and she drove it fine for 2 weeks, untill she started it at work, drove 300m to the gas station, filled up and couldn’t start again... Told’ ya, so did the ECU, but nope. “it runs so it’s good”
"Thomas Donohue" (tomonomics)
11/10/2017 at 13:51, STARS: 1
I go through batteries in my Touareg like they are candy. I work from home, so rarely commute anywhere other than around town. I’ll probably cold start it twice and semi-cold start it four times in any given day, driving a total of 12 miles. Then it might sit for two weeks as I use my Boxster a lot year round. Add in some extra battery drain because it’s old and loaded with every option, and I end up replacing the battery every other year (I generally get two or more in a given warranty period). When it’s in the garage it’s easy to charge, but I get lazy if it’s parked outside, which is most of the time.
I’m working on a DC-to-DC trickle charger using a LIB/jump-start battery contraption. Hopefully I’ll just have to recharge the LIB once a week or so.
"bhtooefr" (bhtooefr)
11/10/2017 at 14:22, STARS: 1
Capacity is quoted in amp-hours when it is quoted.
Granted, you’re not trying to start an older higher compression diesel in the dead of winter, so it’s not as important, but...
Generally the Gold-tier batteries are fine in that respect, though.
"gmctavish needs more space" (gmctavish)
11/10/2017 at 14:23, STARS: 0
I had the opposite in my old Blazer. Despite parking it for long periods and often taking it on quite short drives, it must’ve been balanced out by the longer ones somehow, and never went flat on me. Extra surprising since it was quite an old battery. Though it definitely helped that it only needed a little nudge to start, even when very cold.
"gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee" (gogmorgo)
11/10/2017 at 15:11, STARS: 1
I’m not of a mind that -9 is that big a deal in terms of battery performance. I don’t think there’s even all that much risk of a discharged battery freezing at that point. Last winter I was looking after a small fleet of rather shitty vans that the housekeepers used at a resort. We only ever had battery problems below -30.
"gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee" (gogmorgo)
11/10/2017 at 15:15, STARS: 0
But if you’re worried about it, a cheap battery is only ~100 with your old core. The MJ has just a cheapie and so far so good after two years.