Yellow Top Optima not holding charge
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,483
Likes: 1
From: Wilmington DE
Yellow Top Optima not holding charge
I installed a Optima yellow top battery on 2/6/01, and it has been fine until recently. Four times in the past two weeks it didn't have the power to start the car after sitting overnight in the garage. While driving the voltage is 14.0 +-0.02 volts, so the alternator appears to be putting out the voltage to keep it charged. Has anyone had this problem, and what were you able to do about it? I'll be calling LAPD on Tuesday to see if their supplier stands behind their product. :confused:
Racer
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 386
Likes: 0
From: decatur,alabama,usa
Re: Yellow Top Optima not holding charge (indypace78)
these are the first complaints i have heard on optimas.if my red top dont hold up,i will purchase an interstate brand battery.consumer reports had the interstate batteries rated at the top about a year ago.. :crazy:
Pro
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 594
Likes: 0
From: Vacaville, Calif. ca
Re: Yellow Top Optima not holding charge (Jim 47)
I had the same problem with the yellow top. Called LAPD and they were no help, said I need to call Optma. I only had the battery for a month. The Optma people were very helpful and when I explained my typical use, they indicated I needed the red top and authorized an exchange locally. Their reasoning was the yellow is for race cars and boat troll motors not cars that sit for up to 2 weeks. Not had a problem in almost a year. My $.02 worth.
[Modified by BTA, 1:15 PM 9/4/2001]
[Modified by BTA, 1:15 PM 9/4/2001]
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,483
Likes: 1
From: Wilmington DE
Re: Yellow Top Optima not holding charge (BTA)
Thanks for your replys. Same experience with LAPD, so I took it down to the local Intestate Battery warehouse. Interstate and Optima are owned by Johnson Controls Inc., so at present the Optima is distributed by the Interstate people. He put a test meter on it and it showed a faulty battery. Then he turned it over and to my surprise, one of the bottom corners had a sizeable crack in it which could not be seen from the top. He said that this was the cause of the battery eventually not being able to hold a charge.
Of course, because the battery was cracked, the guarantee would not apply. :cry The only thing I can think of is that the battery was cracked when I received it from LAPD and I never noticed it. As I stated, it had been in the car since 2/6/01 with no problems, then BAMM. I do know that the cardboard box it was shipped in was all beat up when I received it. I can't prove it was damaged when I received it, but I think I'll call LAPD and see what their reaction is. :rolleyes:
Of course, because the battery was cracked, the guarantee would not apply. :cry The only thing I can think of is that the battery was cracked when I received it from LAPD and I never noticed it. As I stated, it had been in the car since 2/6/01 with no problems, then BAMM. I do know that the cardboard box it was shipped in was all beat up when I received it. I can't prove it was damaged when I received it, but I think I'll call LAPD and see what their reaction is. :rolleyes:
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 7,302
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles, CA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06
Re: Yellow Top Optima not holding charge (Jim 47)
Guys,
Since Johnson Controls bought out Optima, the warranty process has completely changed. Defective exchanges are now done through Optima direct or through a dealer in your area.
Optima has changed their policies on defects so the reason why we can't be of any help in this type of situation is because they have instructed us to have the end user (battery owner) contact Optima directly or take it to an Interstate dealer in your immediate area.
Sorry about this, but it is much faster to have it replaced by a dealer in your area or by Optima.
Thanks for your understanding.
Shawn
Since Johnson Controls bought out Optima, the warranty process has completely changed. Defective exchanges are now done through Optima direct or through a dealer in your area.
Optima has changed their policies on defects so the reason why we can't be of any help in this type of situation is because they have instructed us to have the end user (battery owner) contact Optima directly or take it to an Interstate dealer in your immediate area.
Sorry about this, but it is much faster to have it replaced by a dealer in your area or by Optima.
Thanks for your understanding.
Shawn
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,483
Likes: 1
From: Wilmington DE
Re: Yellow Top Optima not holding charge (L.A.P.D.)
Shawn:
No problem as far as I'm concerned. Just one of the hazzards of the what the shipping companies can do to a perfectly good product. It's was my oversight for not thoroughly examining the battery before installing it. What happened is in no way your fault or responsibility to fix. It seems that the Interstate people have taken care of faulty batteries, but in my case, the damage, which I believe was done in shipping, is not covered by their guarantee. I understand that and agree with it. Thanks for your kind offer.
Jim Helm
No problem as far as I'm concerned. Just one of the hazzards of the what the shipping companies can do to a perfectly good product. It's was my oversight for not thoroughly examining the battery before installing it. What happened is in no way your fault or responsibility to fix. It seems that the Interstate people have taken care of faulty batteries, but in my case, the damage, which I believe was done in shipping, is not covered by their guarantee. I understand that and agree with it. Thanks for your kind offer.
Jim Helm
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