Battery died suddenly?

GetMore · August 1, 2006

I started having a problem with the battery in my truck: I had to jump start it the other day, and it doesn't seem to hold a charge for very long.

I don't drive the truck often, as a matter of fact it usually sits, unless I need to pick up something too large/heavy for my car. I've had the truck for a year and a half now, and this is the first time I've had a problem with it.

I keep forgetting to check for the date on the battery, so it could possibly be original.

I jumped the truck last week, and drove it a few miles before shutting it off. It started fine 15-30 minutes later, and after a few short trips, but when I let it sit for a few hours it cranked a little weak. A few days later it needed to be jump started again, and even after being run for a few hours it cranked weakly after sitting for about 15 minutes, so it seems to be getting worse.

The volt gauge reads above 14V, so the alternator is working.

So, has the battery just given up on me, or is there something else I should be checking?

TIA

jmassi · August 1, 2006

Sounds like the battery gave up the ghost. One way to do a quick check is to get a meter and touch the posts on the battery with the truck off. If the batt is good, it should read around 12 volts. Anything less and its kaput.

dewfpo · August 1, 2006

Check the voltage of the battery after being shut down for at least 8 hrs. If it is in really good shape it should be ~12.7 volts. If it's below 12.0 volts I would recommend replacing it.

DEWFPO

Haulin' 8.1 · August 1, 2006

If it's a Delco battery over a couple of years old or original then it's "normal". They made some seriously defective batterys for many years. From the late '90's until a couple of years ago. What happens is that the acid inside errodes the postive terminal solder off. If you see an acid trail coming down from the postive terminal it's time to get a new battery before you end up like this. Get you another battery then twist your positive cable. Most likely the positve terminal will snap right off with ease. I've already had to trash three of my batterys, both in the '01 truck and the one from the '99 Trans Am. That and I probably sell my late model GM customers at least 20 batterys a year just because of this one issue. Just be glad you don't have one of the GM's with the battery under the rear seat. Many of those now need new floor pans.

Vernon

GetMore · August 10, 2006

I took a look at it, and it is a Delco, so I am going to assume it is the original battery.

Can anyone give me some info to help me decide what to replace it with?

Any particular brand to go with or stay away from? What are the better prices? Etc.

TIA

GMCWAYNE · August 11, 2006

Call around to your local auto parts stores. Have the first one look up your truck to get the group size battery you need. I forget what it is off hand. Find out what brand they carry and who makes that particular brand. Also ask about warranty, cold cranking amps and price. Make an informed decision from there. The yellow batteries from walmart are pretty decent, lowest priced and have a pretty good warranty.

marr-ta · August 14, 2006

I had an issue with my battery a few months back. I was at a camping lot and went to start my truck after a few days and click... I used my RV battery to jump it so I wasnt stuck. Well this made me a bit weary so I went to Advanced and had the charging system checked and everything checked out good, even the battery. The guy checking it asked me if I had anything plugged in and I remembered that I had my GPS and cell phones charging and said that those things will discharged a battery pretty quick. I wouldnt have thought that a cell phone charging would do that so quickly but I havent had a problem with my battery since so he may have been right on the money.

GetMore · August 15, 2006

I decided to follow your advice, Wayne. I stopped at Walmart to check their batteries, and then went to Costco, where I wound up buying the new one.

3yr replacement/100mo pro-rated, 1000CA/800CCA, Group 78, $53.

The stock battery was a Group 78, 600CCA. I didn't see reserve capacities listed on either one, so I don't know why the Delco has such a low capacity, for it's size.

dewfpo · August 15, 2006

The stock battery was a Group 78, 600CCA. I didn't see reserve capacities listed on either one, so I don't know why the Delco has such a low capacity, for it's size.

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Because it's the minimum spec. needed. They're not going to spend a penny more than they have to (unfortunately). GM is not in the habit of overbuilding or overspecing their products like some other companies are.

DEWFPO