Johley8 Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 Same battery it came with, I work from home and only drive it to go and pick up my son from the babby sitters about 1 mile away on town roads, So it is in the garage the rest of the time. but when I go to start it it grumbles a bit but starts and all the settings are gone. Very annoying, but thinking the battery may be on its last legs or I just do not drive it enought to "charge" it???? any thoughts?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john in KY Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 If you start the car and drive a total of 2 miles the battery is probably always in a state of discharge. May want to invest in a battery charger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johley8 Posted January 7, 2010 Author Share Posted January 7, 2010 Was thinking of going that direction. You would think that the charge would last longer though. After grabbing the little man it does start right up though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericem Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 Check if there is water in the cells or just replace the battery should be fine and not require a charger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
valvestem Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 (edited) If the battery is indeed 9 years old, you are lucky. But the answers already given about an inadequate charge is my guess too. I have no idea where I came up with the 9 years old, I apologize for that mistake. Edited January 12, 2010 by valvestem made mistake Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johley8 Posted January 11, 2010 Author Share Posted January 11, 2010 (edited) well it is not 9 years old, 2007 and I bought the car with the same battery in it from the dealer so say two years. Now just wondering if the same thing will happen with a new battery? butnow tha tI have more time I have been able to drive it more to trail heads and such but it is still doing the same thing. Edited January 11, 2010 by Johley8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scoobywagon Posted January 11, 2010 Share Posted January 11, 2010 The battery may, in fact, be toast given the very little the car gets driven. Test the battery to make sure it is in good shape. If it is, then just get a battery tender, as opposed to an actual charger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloyale Posted January 11, 2010 Share Posted January 11, 2010 I'd try inspecting and cleaning all connections first. Good idea to actually put a Voltmeter on the battery too, and watch the volts at startup. Best to confirm that the battery is bad......3 years is not that old for a Battery. If it is starting the car, but losing radio presets, then there is a bad connection.....probably the Positive battery cable where it bolts to the actual clamp. Clean it all up good and see if that changes the behavior. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johley8 Posted January 11, 2010 Author Share Posted January 11, 2010 Thanks f or the help I have cleaned the battery up pretty good, using hte baking soda method as there was a large amount of cor. on the pos term, then scrubbed the connection and terms with a wire brush. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RallyKeith Posted January 11, 2010 Share Posted January 11, 2010 Is your garage heated? You are afterall in Maine and I know my house in PA has been averaging about 18 degrees F in the morning for the past week or so. There may be absolutely nothing wrong other than the temps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloyale Posted January 11, 2010 Share Posted January 11, 2010 Thanks f or the help I have cleaned the battery up pretty good, using hte baking soda method as there was a large amount of cor. on the pos term, then scrubbed the connection and terms with a wire brush. Did you unbolt the main pos(+) cable and fuse box pigtail, and clean the connection there? Not the post......but where the wires actually attach to the clamp? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johley8 Posted January 11, 2010 Author Share Posted January 11, 2010 yep, did one hell of a cleaning job on it. good times, I hate working on batteries! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johley8 Posted January 11, 2010 Author Share Posted January 11, 2010 Yep garage is heated, lowest it gets if 40 or so at night. Also not in Maine but Colorado on the western slope. Temps have been really cold at night but since it is in the garage that should not be an issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johley8 Posted January 11, 2010 Author Share Posted January 11, 2010 (edited) :-\So doyou guys think maybe charging it fully then getting a tender may help. Granted after having it tested.......again. Guy at Carquest(sucks), tested it and said it was dead then said here let me put a new one in, after he hooked up the tester backwards the first time........ Edited January 11, 2010 by Johley8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericem Posted January 11, 2010 Share Posted January 11, 2010 Just replace the battery, sounds like you need a optima yellow top, or any dry cell battery that will handle alot of cycling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobaru Posted January 11, 2010 Share Posted January 11, 2010 (edited) put some miles on it two miles a day is doing more damage than driving in stop and go traffic in rush hour 30,000 miles. A vehicle likes to get in full operating temp and get out of the house Edited January 12, 2010 by bobaru Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigjeep Posted January 11, 2010 Share Posted January 11, 2010 rule of thumb is to replace a battery after five years. After that you take a chance on being "stuck" out on the road. Even if everything seems fine. thats my motto! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigjeep Posted January 11, 2010 Share Posted January 11, 2010 put some miles on it two miles a day is doing more damage than driving in stop and go traffic in rush hour 30 miles. A vehicle likes to get in full operating temp and get out of the house I'm told it takes 20 miles of driving to "burn" off the condensation in the crank case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 I think you should try charging it up to see if that helps. I think it will. Having a battery charger on hand is a good thing to have anyways. If the car starts up better after charging it for a least a few hours I think you will be good to go. You could have it tested if you want to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johley8 Posted March 24, 2010 Author Share Posted March 24, 2010 Ok update here on the issue, sorry it is so late! got a tender for it after driving to Grand Junction, so that should have charged it and after hooking the tender up maybe once twice a week, bingo, no more issues! But I was wanting to get the yellowtop:slobber:, but wife said no:( bummer But many thanks again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairtax4me Posted March 25, 2010 Share Posted March 25, 2010 You need to drive that poor thing more often. I hope you change the oil every three months. You'll have bigger problems than a low battery if you don't let the car stretch it's legs once a week at least. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johley8 Posted April 11, 2010 Author Share Posted April 11, 2010 Always! Heck I seal the paint every 6 months! Been driving a ton more but we are heading to Grand Junction to get a yellow top in the A.M. Good times! Many thanks to all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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