Battery going out????

rtbrick · September 1, 2004

I was out all day Saturday with the family (furniture shopping dictated by the wife!). I let my 15 and 12 year olds sit in the truck while I trudged through the stores with my wife. The kids thought they could turn the key switch to the ON position and just turn on the fan to get some A/C going (stupid kids). Now, when I start my truck the turnover is very sluggish and then catches to start. Sounds like every start may be the last one. Is my battery on its last leg? Should I replace it? It's the original battery since 2000.

If the battery does need to be replaced, what would be a good choice? It's been a while since I bought a battery. The last two were a Die Hard and an Exide.

Cool Zr2 · September 1, 2004

Have it tested, its free. napa

budhayes3 · September 1, 2004

If it's cranking really slowly, the battery may be on it's way out. Check and make sure that nothing else is left on creating a parasitic draw and draining it.

I have a fairly new Interstate that's been great so far, and I've heard good things about Optima batteries also.

Stepside Z · September 1, 2004

I am not sure if the problem is just the battery but if it is I would look into an Optima. Never heard of anybody that did not like them. We use them in the Navy to start all of the Ground Support Equipment on carriers.

Cool Zr2 · September 1, 2004

get it tested, becasue you are gonna be mad if it turns out to be your alternator, or a short.

99silveradoz71 · September 1, 2004

Just replaced my stocker with another Delco...had one in my 92 Jimmy and my 85 Dodge 600 as well.

rtbrick · September 4, 2004

I had my battery tested at Advance Auto and it came up as a "Bad Battery" on their test equipment. I shopped around and studied various opinions on batteries, but ended up buying a Champion XLT from Sam's Club. $47. It has 770 CCA, 950 CA and I forget the RC. Two year full replacement and 75 months (or was it 84) prorated. Seemed like a fair deal considering most batteries are only supposed to last 3-5 years (4.5 on mine).

Wal-Mart had an Everstart for $60 with a three year replacement. Another choice would have been the Advance Auto battery with the same CCA and a three year replacement for $70. The Die-Hard was $80 with three years. Interstate only gave an 18 month replacement. NAPA only gave 12 months on their $60 battery.

commanche1 · September 6, 2004

wow, that was a good deal on battery.baterrys can last 6 years or more but thats pushing it. depends on kids and weather heat etc.mine was 6 years old [sears] and still good with 53,000 on it but i hunt alot and took it out to play it safe. best battery is interstate and sears are good too. but at that price, i would buy the sams, take care

sgtglenn · October 2, 2004

I had similar battery problems. After parked for 2 days found system stone dead. Having a 99 Silverado 4.3 with factory Delco battery, I replaced it and on checking noticed the alternator was recovering too slow after start ups. Alternator 105 amps was also replaced.

One day later, stone dead again. On looking for possible shorts when all off, I found that on disconnection of instrument cluster current draw from battery would stop. I'm in th process of having a local AC/Delco shop test the cluster to see if it is in fact the problem. At $200. it would be lot more economical than replacing the BCM. Also on pulling the radio fuse the spedo, tach and gear indicator idiot lights would not work. All other gages functioned properly.

Has anyone else experienced this type of electrical nightmare, it took forever to locate and was like chasing a ghost?