new battery?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 10,244
Likes: 96
From: not far enough from Chicago
new battery?
Hi everybody,
Does my 1998 coupe garage queen with 19K miles need a new battery?
The battery is 8 years old. I always use a battery tender in storage in my garage, has never gone dead, no slow turn over, looks perfect. Terminals have absolutely 0% corrosion. I have had it out of the car and it is flat and square no bulges, clean as a whistle like the rest of the engine bay, perfect.
It is a direct OEM Delco replacement I installed from the original.
Would it be wise to replace it or under the present circumstances?
Thanks guys
Does my 1998 coupe garage queen with 19K miles need a new battery?
The battery is 8 years old. I always use a battery tender in storage in my garage, has never gone dead, no slow turn over, looks perfect. Terminals have absolutely 0% corrosion. I have had it out of the car and it is flat and square no bulges, clean as a whistle like the rest of the engine bay, perfect.
It is a direct OEM Delco replacement I installed from the original.
Would it be wise to replace it or under the present circumstances?
Thanks guys
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 3,534
Likes: 432
From: Atlantic Beach FL.
You can have it load tested at a parts store. If it still has all of its amps then there is no need to replace it. The salesman may try to convince you that you need a new one to get a commission.
I don't replace battery's until they won't take a charge any more or until they loose voltage from a dead cell.
I don't replace battery's until they won't take a charge any more or until they loose voltage from a dead cell.
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Have it tested and if it passes, keep it in the car.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
8 years old? I would replace it. They don't last forever and would you want it to die at the most inconvenient time? For peace of mind get a new one. Might save you money in the long run.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Fort Worth Texas
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: center of Kalifornia
No don't replace it, wait until you are out on a cruise at the local car show and it takes a crap. Everybody can come up to you and ask how old is the battery and when you say 8 years old it will give them a good laugh on you. Come on man it is the start of summer................
Last edited by T VETTE; May 24, 2017 at 08:38 PM.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: Wisconsin
Bragging about how many years you get out of a battery isn't worth it.
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one thing I would do if you haven't done it already, especially on an older c5, is take the battery and tray out and make sure it hasn't been leaking on the wiring and pcm... that can really ruin your day if it goes unnoticed and gets to the point where it starts causing electrical issues... I would also try to make something to protect the pcm and wiring in case of future leaks... as common of an issue as that is I'm surprised a vendor hasn't manufactured something to to protect it, maybe there is something out there but I haven't seen it
Last edited by StingrayRebel; May 24, 2017 at 10:07 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,776
Likes: 500
From: West Seneca NY
My Interstate that was installed in 2010 when I bought my car is always on a tender & looks like new, but when I did my testing with my Solar BA7 tester the CCA which was 650 new is now 440, and it also failed the other tests I did with the tester. Time to replace.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 3,534
Likes: 432
From: Atlantic Beach FL.
At 8 years I doubt it would load test well but it might. I consider getting 8 years out of a battery a blessing. I can't see it lasting tremendously longer so if you want piece of mind then go for it.
I do most of my driving near home and have a jumper device so I tend to worry less.
I do most of my driving near home and have a jumper device so I tend to worry less.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
one thing I would do if you haven't done it already, especially on an older c5, is take the battery and tray out and make sure it hasn't been leaking on the wiring and pcm... that can really ruin your day if it goes unnoticed and gets to the point where it starts causing electrical issues... I would also try to make something to protect the pcm and wiring in case of future leaks... as common of an issue as that is I'm surprised a vendor hasn't manufactured something to to protect it, maybe there is something out there but I haven't seen it
http://www.batterymart.com/p-battery-mat-black.html
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
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From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
No don't replace it, wait until you are out on a cruise at the local car show and it takes a crap. Everybody can come up to you and ask how old is the battery and when you say 8 years old it will give them a good laugh on you. Come on man it is the start of summer................
Its a little like OEM tires (15 year olds)...but the tread looks new. As a distance runner...running shoes need to be changed....often
Last edited by runner140*; May 25, 2017 at 08:53 AM. Reason: add
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
It amazes me sometimes. C5 owners will spend $2000 on new headlights or rims yet have a hard time replacing an 8 yr old hundred dollar battery.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
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From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,804
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From: Northville, MI
I check my battery every year for 2 Items, first if it shows 12.5V or better after the battery tender has been off it for 12 hours. If it passes that I then have the reserved capacity checked and it has to be over 100, 120 on a new battery. It is the Reserved Capacity that will show how long the battery will last and how the parasitic drain has affected the battery. It is not uncommon for some one to purchase a new battery that has been sitting on the shelf for 1-2 years.