Optima battery's
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 469
Likes: 44
Optima battery's
2013 GS Auto 20,000 miles
I replaced my battery 4 months ago with a red top Optima. Within a month it went bad and was replaced under warranty with a yellow top Optima. I just got thru replacing this one with another yellow top under warranty. I didn't realize the date code on these batteries until today. The one I just replaced was 7/15. My new one is 1/18. Is there a shelf life on these battery's?
Seems weird I've been thru 2 battery's, 3 if you include the original within 5 months. Could there be something going on with my car that's causing these battery's to fail ? Seems like the issue starts with the battery not holding charge after 3 or so days of sitting and escalated to a complete failed battery.
I'm putting the new one in today and Pep Boys said if I have more trouble I can change to a different brand ie Bosch.
I replaced my battery 4 months ago with a red top Optima. Within a month it went bad and was replaced under warranty with a yellow top Optima. I just got thru replacing this one with another yellow top under warranty. I didn't realize the date code on these batteries until today. The one I just replaced was 7/15. My new one is 1/18. Is there a shelf life on these battery's?
Seems weird I've been thru 2 battery's, 3 if you include the original within 5 months. Could there be something going on with my car that's causing these battery's to fail ? Seems like the issue starts with the battery not holding charge after 3 or so days of sitting and escalated to a complete failed battery.
I'm putting the new one in today and Pep Boys said if I have more trouble I can change to a different brand ie Bosch.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 469
Likes: 44
No alternator test, but would a alternator problem cause a battery to fail to a point where it won't even charge on a charger?
I plan on doing some testing today for the battery drain issue. The previous battery wouldn't even hold a complete trickle charge.
Pep Boys tested the battery I returned today and couldn't get it to charge above 10 volts.
I plan on doing some testing today for the battery drain issue. The previous battery wouldn't even hold a complete trickle charge.
Pep Boys tested the battery I returned today and couldn't get it to charge above 10 volts.
Race Director
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From: SOFLA
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No alternator test, but would a alternator problem cause a battery to fail to a point where it won't even charge on a charger?
I plan on doing some testing today for the battery drain issue. The previous battery wouldn't even hold a complete trickle charge.
Pep Boys tested the battery I returned today and couldn't get it to charge above 10 volts.
I plan on doing some testing today for the battery drain issue. The previous battery wouldn't even hold a complete trickle charge.
Pep Boys tested the battery I returned today and couldn't get it to charge above 10 volts.
Last edited by mcandrew67; Jan 8, 2019 at 10:43 AM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 469
Likes: 44
Originally Posted by mcandrew67
I went through two alternators and two batteries. One Alternator had a really high output, then another was really low. Finally got one that was right. But I too had the Optima yellow top. They replaced under warranty.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2017
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From: Fort Worth Texas
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I would definitely have your charging system checked out, but batteries just sitting for months/years will also cause them to fail. I worked for Sears Automotive for several years and had numerous batteries (including Optimas) we sold go bad within a month due to having sat on a shelf for too long. If you're lucky, the sales associate will put a load test on the battery at the point of sale just to make sure they are not selling a battery low on charge. I personally would not buy any automotive battery with a date more than 3 or 4 months old. The only way a store can get credit for old stock is to sell it to a customer and then file a warranty authorization. Crappy practice, but how it works. (or at least how it worked 15 years ago)
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Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2016
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From: SC
I have no first hand experience with Optima but the "prevailing wisdom of the internet" is they have gone way down hill. I put an Odyssey PC1200 in the back of my '13 GS 6M coupe. Sat outside for 3 full weeks over Christmas and fired right up on Saturday.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2016
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From: Chattanooga TN
Was that the exact model pC1200 the exact model you used and do you have any power mods, like headers, cam and heads or stock? Thanks in advance
Last edited by jaybee924; Jan 8, 2019 at 05:58 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2018
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From: ND
I've had 2 optima batteries fail prematurely, one within a year and the replacement a year later. Figured something in the aftermarket stereo or lighting setup was killing them so I threw a cheap Walmart one in, been going strong for 7 years. I've been using cheap walmart batteries in all my vehicles since (4) and have yet to replace one. Maybe I've been lucky, maybe expensive batteries are a waste of money?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2014
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I wish now I'd gone with a cheap Wally World battery. Definitely not getting my money's worth out of the Optima.
I got the new one in today and all is well for now. I checked for a parasite drain and so far nothing has shown up.
I got the new one in today and all is well for now. I checked for a parasite drain and so far nothing has shown up.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2014
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From: Below the bottom of Berby Hollow, NYS
From your above post, I'm assuming you have a meter. Check voltage across the battery terminals with the engine and everything off. Then start the engine and check again -- it should read 1-2 volts higher. If it isn't, then the alternator isn't putting out. If that's true, then the battery would discharge when you're driving it, maybe quickly if you're running headlights, AC/heater fan, stereo, etc.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2016
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From: SC
That's exactly what I bought. I bought the terminals separately, but you can get them included as a Odyssey PC1200T. Either way they just screw on. It was cheaper when I bought mine to get them separately. Car is stock, no power modes.