AC Delco Batteries.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,195
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From: ATL
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10
AC Delco Batteries.
I know there has been quite a lot of discussion about the batteries in our cars. I just wanted to share a bit about a couple of recent events.
I killed the AC Delco battery in my 2000 coupe a couple of months ago. It was my own fault. I was working on the car and left the key on for entirely too long. I replaced it with a Die Hard (truck and suv with side and top posts).
Over the last couple of weeks I noticed my 1994 Sierra truck has been starting slower and slower. After sitting overnight last night, I was lucky to get it cranked today. I took it to Sears and had the battery tested. When a load was put on, it dropped like a rock. I had it replaced with a Die Hard Truck and Suv battery like I put in the Vette.
Now - The truck is a 1994 which I bought brand new. Without pawing through all my records to confirm, I have never replaced the battery. (When I replace batteries I almost always use Die Hards). So that makes the battery 12 years old with about 143,000 miles.
I don't guess they are all bad.
Just thought I would share.
I killed the AC Delco battery in my 2000 coupe a couple of months ago. It was my own fault. I was working on the car and left the key on for entirely too long. I replaced it with a Die Hard (truck and suv with side and top posts).
Over the last couple of weeks I noticed my 1994 Sierra truck has been starting slower and slower. After sitting overnight last night, I was lucky to get it cranked today. I took it to Sears and had the battery tested. When a load was put on, it dropped like a rock. I had it replaced with a Die Hard Truck and Suv battery like I put in the Vette.
Now - The truck is a 1994 which I bought brand new. Without pawing through all my records to confirm, I have never replaced the battery. (When I replace batteries I almost always use Die Hards). So that makes the battery 12 years old with about 143,000 miles.
I don't guess they are all bad.
Just thought I would share.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 12,045
Likes: 3,587
From: Central MO
You're one of the lucky ones. I've never had a Delco battery go past 2-1/2 years. Motorcraft batteries, on the other hand, I've had really good luck with. I've never had one go less than 5 years.
I bought a Red Top for the Vette when the AGM died last fall (from the previous owner never driving the car - 1550 miles in 2-1/2 years). I hope I got a good one instead of one of the ones that dies. Actually, GM replaced the dead AGM under warranty but I put it in the Avalanche since Delco no longer has an AGM battery.
I bought a Red Top for the Vette when the AGM died last fall (from the previous owner never driving the car - 1550 miles in 2-1/2 years). I hope I got a good one instead of one of the ones that dies. Actually, GM replaced the dead AGM under warranty but I put it in the Avalanche since Delco no longer has an AGM battery.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
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From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Mine died on the Vert after only 8k miles. At least it just died
The AC Delco on the Camaro lasted 6 years but then leaked. I just do not trust them.
The AC Delco on the Camaro lasted 6 years but then leaked. I just do not trust them.
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From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19
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When I lived in Chicago - 6 or 7 years on a battery was no no big thing as long as you kept it filled with distilled water and kept the posts clean. And, as long as the rest of the car was well maintained and not placing an unneccessary drain on the battery - they lasted a long time.
When I moved to Arizona 15 years ago - batteries rarely go past two years, and I've had them all...Die Hard Heat Handler, Autozone's best 8 year battery with 3 years free replacement, OEM Delcos, Optimas and Exides.
With the exception of DeeGee - almost all you guys live in moderate climates, and I would expect no less. The worst possible climate is the desert - the high underhood heat, plus the high ambient summer temperatures kill batteries.
When I moved to Arizona 15 years ago - batteries rarely go past two years, and I've had them all...Die Hard Heat Handler, Autozone's best 8 year battery with 3 years free replacement, OEM Delcos, Optimas and Exides.
With the exception of DeeGee - almost all you guys live in moderate climates, and I would expect no less. The worst possible climate is the desert - the high underhood heat, plus the high ambient summer temperatures kill batteries.
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Wow, that's a long time to get out of a battery. Sounds like you lucked out with that one.
