Makes ya wonder?
optima battery,starter or alternator problem
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 644
Likes: 0
From: fort lauderdale fl
optima battery,starter or alternator problem
Help me out guys.I had my factory battery replaced about 4 months ago on my 2000 vette. I got the optima red top which I heard was good to get by other forum members.The past two days the car is starting to struggle to start and barely did just an hour ago after sitting only for 3 hours.Could my battery really already be shot or could it be time for a new alternator or starter.The car has 44k on it.I hope someone can give me some help without heading to the dealer to get bent over.I got the optima at costco only 4 months ago but lost the receipt so Im guessing I'm S.O.L. if its the battery even though it says it has a 3 year warranty.Any help will be much appreciated.The volts when its running is between 13.8 and 14.0 which seems good to me.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 50,808
Likes: 10
From: Buy USA products! Check the label! Employ Americans
I am no expert but it should go down from 13.8 after it is running a bit I think. If you bought it with a charge card at Costco the will give you a store credit and then you can get a new one. Charge it then load test it.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,346
Likes: 5
From: Mustang OK
I would suggest that you have your battery tested first by a competent shop. There have been a number of posts here in C5 Tech and C5 General recently concerning premature failure of some of the Optima batteries. Good luck with the problem fix.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
It is funny, My red top Optima sits for weeks at a time... I do Not use a battery tender. I have never had a start problem or sluggish start. The Optima is three years old. The car just sat for 6 weeks without starting it, and it started right up... I do Not leave the alarm on when it's sleeping.
Pro
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 671
Likes: 15
From: Houston
I had your similar issue where it was sluggish to start. Well, first crank it was sluggish and then 2nd crank it seemed ok. For me it was my fuel pump, for the 2nd time. Of course this was figured out AFTER I got a new alternator (which was supposedly on its way out) and a new battery free of charge. Starter tested out fine. It was a fuel pressure issue. Hell my car died while I was turning a corner this week!!!
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