HELP!!! battery Problem?????
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 324
Likes: 0
From: Troy NC
HELP!!! battery Problem?????
Just went out to start my '99 (31k)...the memory worked, guages cycled and the voltage gauge came down to about 7. Just got a rapid click click click when I turned the key. Pulled the key out, memory put seat, etc to "easy exit" and I got out. Hit key fob to lock car...it locked, but the horn really didn't beep...just kind of whispered! Does this sound like a bona fide battery failure or something else? I had just finished cleaned the engine with a wet cloth and I rechecked all the wire connections, etc.
Hate to call the tow truck for a jump and buy a new battery if that's not the problem! All of the goodies work...radio, fan blower, lights....so, I'm confused!
Hate to call the tow truck for a jump and buy a new battery if that's not the problem! All of the goodies work...radio, fan blower, lights....so, I'm confused!
Pro
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 555
Likes: 0
From: Baltimore, MD, USA
Re: HELP!!! battery Problem????? (mikecoffin1)
I would say it is 99% a battery problem. I would get the battery out of the car as it is more than likely leaking ... mine leaked just a bit at the positive cable which is the known problem. It can cause a real mess if it leaks significantly.
I bought the Exide battery and it fit perfectly into the car and used the same mounting bracket.
Good luck.
I bought the Exide battery and it fit perfectly into the car and used the same mounting bracket.
Good luck.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 885
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area, CA
Re: HELP!!! battery Problem????? (mikecoffin1)
Sounds like a dead battery. Sometimes they have enough juice to power accessories but not enough to turn the engine over. At least it died before it leaked. Time for a new Optima?
-BlackJack :flag
-BlackJack :flag
Pro
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 568
Likes: 23
From: Venice Florida
Re: HELP!!! battery Problem????? (mikecoffin1)
Battery might just be discharged, or could be bad/dirty connection, Delco has been having some problems with positive terminal so check that out. If you have a digital voltmeter try to check battery voltage at battery terminal (behind the cable) then check at the outside of the cable(where battery bolt goes thru cable). If voltage is same both spots connection is good.If not clean&tighten connection try charging the battery and see if it comes up. If you replace, Interstate or Optima would be good choices. Good Luck!
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,790
Likes: 0
From: Carrolton TX
Re: HELP!!! battery Problem????? (speedwaywhite)
I had a problem with the stock AC Delco battery too. The positive terminal seemed to be leaking. It leaked battery acid in the engine compartment and caused all kinds of chaos with the PCM. I dropped a new battery in and then took it in to the dealership. They had to replace the wiring harness to get everything right after that. Hopefully you ONLY have to get a new battery. I got reimbursed from the dealership for the leaking battery as well.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 324
Likes: 0
From: Troy NC
Re: HELP!!! battery Problem????? (mikecoffin1)
Okay...here is the ending to my C5 battery problem.
First, it was less than 12 hours when the car was last started. There was NO leakage. Also, there was NO life in the green eye!!! It was dark. Anyway, since this has been a super LEMON C5 since day one, I got it into the dealer and he replaced the battery...still under warranty. Now, if Delco is junk, then I now have a "new" piece of junk in my car. But, I will get rid of the car next year anyway. So, I figured the new Delco for free was okay for the next year.
Thanks for all the responses to this post. Oh...listen to this.... my dealer said they did not and would not use the new Delco AGM...period! He said it is nothing more than a high priced piece of junk!!! LOL...boy, bet he sure would get challenged on that, since many of you have stated that the AGM is now the factory battery on years 2001+. I can just imagine someone having their factory AGM fail, getting a warranty replacement, and looking under the hood to see that it is an old style battery! :D :D
First, it was less than 12 hours when the car was last started. There was NO leakage. Also, there was NO life in the green eye!!! It was dark. Anyway, since this has been a super LEMON C5 since day one, I got it into the dealer and he replaced the battery...still under warranty. Now, if Delco is junk, then I now have a "new" piece of junk in my car. But, I will get rid of the car next year anyway. So, I figured the new Delco for free was okay for the next year.
Thanks for all the responses to this post. Oh...listen to this.... my dealer said they did not and would not use the new Delco AGM...period! He said it is nothing more than a high priced piece of junk!!! LOL...boy, bet he sure would get challenged on that, since many of you have stated that the AGM is now the factory battery on years 2001+. I can just imagine someone having their factory AGM fail, getting a warranty replacement, and looking under the hood to see that it is an old style battery! :D :D
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
Re: HELP!!! battery Problem????? (mikecoffin1)
Hah, that reminds me of the old timers who used to say the same type of thing about disc brakes - they would NEVER use disc brakes; they are nothing but junk! Synthetic oil was regarded with extreme suspicion as well. I could go on and on. Always listen, but then take whatever is dished out with a grain of salt. Some people are plain ignorant, plain and simple.
As far as the dealers go, the order of the day is normally: "USE UP EXISTING STOCK."
As far as the dealers go, the order of the day is normally: "USE UP EXISTING STOCK."
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Drifting
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,421
Likes: 0
From: Henderson, NV
Re: HELP!!! battery Problem????? (Dave68)
Hi all,
Just a note to add about the AGM's, I called one of our vendors we use (a battery distributor) here in Vegas to inquire about the optima and the AGM. The guy at the shop told me that the AGM's were not moving at all, from Delco's perspective, and that they are trying to dump them to anyone who will take them. His proof of this is he bought a pallet of them for $20 bucks each brand new!!!! He said they will not leak, 'cause they are completely sealed, but said they are a crapshoot on how long they will last(but then I guess all batts are really!). I shared a good laugh with him about how Delco is this huge battery Co. and he said he just didn't understand why they have regressed, or gone backwards, in their pursuit of good batteries. He also told me that the whole gel-sealed battery idea was their "baby" to begin with. Go figure!
Steve
Just a note to add about the AGM's, I called one of our vendors we use (a battery distributor) here in Vegas to inquire about the optima and the AGM. The guy at the shop told me that the AGM's were not moving at all, from Delco's perspective, and that they are trying to dump them to anyone who will take them. His proof of this is he bought a pallet of them for $20 bucks each brand new!!!! He said they will not leak, 'cause they are completely sealed, but said they are a crapshoot on how long they will last(but then I guess all batts are really!). I shared a good laugh with him about how Delco is this huge battery Co. and he said he just didn't understand why they have regressed, or gone backwards, in their pursuit of good batteries. He also told me that the whole gel-sealed battery idea was their "baby" to begin with. Go figure!
Steve
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
Re: HELP!!! battery Problem????? (Blackjetvette97)
Yes, and a guy I know who works in an auto parts store says that you should NEVER use a product like Armour-All on plastic, since it will dry-rot and crack any plastic or rubber over a short period of time. LOL!
As I have mentioned, always question the so-called "expert" in the field. My local Honda dealership has had a new Prelude on the lot for 6 months. Is it a great car? Absolutely. However, the average Joe who is buying a car won't know that it has won Car & Driver's "Best car for under $30,000" more than once.
Very few people know what AGM means or why it is better than spirol-wound technology. That certainly would explain the slow sales.
As I have mentioned, always question the so-called "expert" in the field. My local Honda dealership has had a new Prelude on the lot for 6 months. Is it a great car? Absolutely. However, the average Joe who is buying a car won't know that it has won Car & Driver's "Best car for under $30,000" more than once.
Very few people know what AGM means or why it is better than spirol-wound technology. That certainly would explain the slow sales.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 324
Likes: 0
From: Troy NC
Re: HELP!!! battery Problem????? (mikecoffin1)
My whole point about my dealer's policy on the AGM was that how many customers would tolerate bring in...say, a 2001 C5 with a factory AGM that failed, and then driving off with a warranty replacement of a "lessor" battery..a conventional battery...just because the dealer says he will not use AGMs??? Aren't you entitled to a replacement that is of the same technology, etc as what came in the car from the factory? I was just questioning this dealer's attitude of "I don't care what the factory put in it...when it leave me dealership it will have XXXX in it...end of story"!
I mean, I doubt this scenario would ever happen, but what if you went in for an oil change in the C5 and the dealer says you WILL get only Quaker State 10W30 "because" that is all I believe in...Mobil 1 is just overpriced junk! Don't think that idea would fly with many customers!!! :U :chevy
I mean, I doubt this scenario would ever happen, but what if you went in for an oil change in the C5 and the dealer says you WILL get only Quaker State 10W30 "because" that is all I believe in...Mobil 1 is just overpriced junk! Don't think that idea would fly with many customers!!! :U :chevy
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
Re: HELP!!! battery Problem????? (mikecoffin1)
When this happens, you can call the :bs very quickly by asking things like: "What exactly is it about the battery that you don't like?" and "Have you had many failed AGMs come back?"
Questions like these will help determine if the "expert" really knows anything about what he or she is talking about. I remember people who, when changing their oil for the first time, would replace the 10W-30 with straight 30 weight oil, proclaiming: "Those GM/Ford/Chrysler engineers don't know anything about oil; this straight-weight is free of all the junk they put in multi-weight oil and it's much better for your engine." Of course, the guy never had a car with an engine that lasted more than 100,000 miles, but still, he knew more aboutoil and its effect on engine life than any engineer did.
Sheesh!
Questions like these will help determine if the "expert" really knows anything about what he or she is talking about. I remember people who, when changing their oil for the first time, would replace the 10W-30 with straight 30 weight oil, proclaiming: "Those GM/Ford/Chrysler engineers don't know anything about oil; this straight-weight is free of all the junk they put in multi-weight oil and it's much better for your engine." Of course, the guy never had a car with an engine that lasted more than 100,000 miles, but still, he knew more aboutoil and its effect on engine life than any engineer did.
Sheesh!
