Battery Issue? in the Admiral's Car

[lncoop]

2000 ES 300. Two year old Interstate battery. Two weeks ago I noticed it was really dragging when starting. I took a peek at the battery and saw some corrosion. I didn't have time to clean the posts at that moment so I sprayed them with a little of the same stuff I use on the boat batteries (not WD 40). That seemed to take care of it, so I didn't give it another thought until yesterday when I started it for her and had the same issue. Then, I went to start it this morning and got the dead battery click. This afternoon I disconnected the cables and found a little corrosion, but not much. I cleaned the posts thoroughly and sprayed them lightly, then I connected a charger to the battery. The charger immediately indicated 75% charge, so I reconnected the cables and turned the key and it started normally without even dragging, so I took it for a spin. When I got back I connected the charger again and got 75%. I started it several times after that and drove it to church and back this evening without incident. I don't know what to to think. Does anyone else?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Battery Issue? in the Admiral's Car

Easy......stop at an Interstate store and have it checked. I have found them to be good people around here.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Battery Issue? in the Admiral's Car

Interstate anywhere seems to have great service. They will load test the battery. Dirty posts may allow the car to start due to the larger amount of amps that can jump thru the corrosion. Unlike starting, the charging system puts in less amps and has a much harder time jumping thru the corrosion.

 

[mla2ofus]

Re: Battery Issue? in the Admiral's Car

If it only showed 75% charge after "taking it for a spin", I see a new battery in your future unless it was a really short spin.
Mike

 

[Al Bee]

Re: Battery Issue? in the Admiral's Car

I see a new battery or a bad ground connection on the frame.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Battery Issue? in the Admiral's Car

You should check the voltage while the engine is running to determine if the alternator is working before anything.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Battery Issue? in the Admiral's Car

You should check the voltage while the engine is running to determine if the alternator is working before anything.

Don't know why I didn't do that. Duh. It's at Lexus today for something unrelated. Guess I'll just ask them to do it.

 

[Av8nBill]

Re: Battery Issue? in the Admiral's Car

I had similar issue (also Interstate battery). The post near the positive terminal had been corroding up and the cell closest to it was low. I cleaned up the terminal and added some distilled water to cell. Fast forward a week, wife calls me at work, car won't start. When I get home it starts right up for me, but the terminal is corroded again (despite a liberal coating of dielectric grease after the last cleaning) and the cell is low again. No sign of a leak anywhere that I can find.

I filled the cell again and then took receipt and battery back to Sam's Club and they say it tests out fine. I say that's great except I have to keep refilling this cell and it looks like it's outgassing and corroding the terminal. After giving me a lecture about adding to water to what they call a "maintenance-free" battery they agree to replace it and pro-rate it.

My question is: if it's "maintenance-free", why does it still have caps on the cells and why doesn't it say "maintenance-free" anywhere on the battery so you'd have a clue not to add water?

 

[beason]

Re: Battery Issue? in the Admiral's Car

what type of battery cable ends are on the car? my gf's mazda was giving her problems like that. I had a bad habit of corroding at the terminals. Come to find out it had corroded under the clamp part of the cable end, and would not make a good connection.

 

[kylejb2663]

Re: Battery Issue? in the Admiral's Car

Could also be the Voltage Regulator inside the alternator not recharging the battery enough. Have the battery checked, if they say it's good.. Alternator replacement!

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Battery Issue? in the Admiral's Car

My question is: if it's "maintenance-free", why does it still have caps on the cells and why doesn't it say "maintenance-free" anywhere on the battery so you'd have a clue not to add water?

They don't know what they are talking about. They still can need water but should be called "low maintenance". If I were you, I would also check your voltage when the engine is running to make sure it isn't too high.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Battery Issue? in the Admiral's Car

The car is at the Lexus dealership now. I had them do a bunch of stuff to it last winter that included valve cover gaskets, which appear to be seeping again. I have to pay them a half hour or hour to look at it anyway (if it is VCGs or anything else they did the diagnostic fee will be returned to me of course), so I told them to go ahead and check it out. We shall see.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Battery Issue? in the Admiral's Car

It could be those !@#$ side terminals that are so prone to corrode under the caps where you can't see it, and you just forget about it until your battery is toast....good luck!

 

[The_Kid]

Re: Battery Issue? in the Admiral's Car

Time for a new battery. I had the same symptoms, and had to replace both of the ones in my truck last week. I had Duralast Golds that were almost 5 years old. Auto Zone load tested them and installed new ones under the 8 year prorated warranty. I was very happy to pay $87 for both of them instead of $123 for each one.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Battery Issue? in the Admiral's Car

Battery. Thanks guys.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Battery Issue? in the Admiral's Car

I had a Costco battery that quit after one year although it did get completely discharged once. Not sure if you had the same thing happen but letting these batteries ever discharge completely is death for them.