My S's batter is completely dead. Not even the dome light works. Do you think I could revive it with a trickle charger, or should I start battery shopping?

 

Start shopping like I am. I just go down to the local parts store tell them the make/model and THAT'S IT!

I am thinking of getting an optima battery!!!!

Available at many retailers
Part# CCA Model Name Group size
YEL51 500 Optima 51

Though the price is ~130 bucks!!! I am thinking that I just get the kind I had before ~65 and it lasted over 4 years!

 

Has the car been sitting for a long time unused? If not, you may have an electrical system problem. If it has, I'd try jumper cables, get it started, drive it a few miles, let it sit over night and see if it held the charge. Then test the battery by driving it a few miles again. Turn on the radio and lights, shut off the engine for a few minutes. Do this at home. Try to start the car.

 

Yeah it's been sitting since december. I can't drive it because it's pinned behind a snow bank in my driveway. And I don't want to start it and then just idle.

The battery died last winter too, but it wasn't this dead.

Might be time for a new battery.

 

I'd charge it up, start the car, drive it for at least a half hour, shut it off and then test the battery and record the readings for each cell. If it tests ok, then let it sit for 24 hours, then test the battery again. If it is going flat after just 24 hours, get a new one.

 

Try the "Battery Tender". It is like $30. My battery was almost dead and I charged it for two days and it came back to live.

It was slow, but it worked.

 

I can't drive it because I can't get it out of the driveway. The snow bank is also preventing me from getting my truck close enough to jump it.

I think I may just wait for spring, then stick in a new battery. If I replace it now, it's just going to sit and die anyway.

 

Take the battery out of the car and put it on a trickle changer. I bet it'll be ok. If you have a trickle charger use it first. If you haven't been driving the car the battery could have drained, but it would mean your battery is on the way out but it may still have some life left in it.

I'd try charging it first then, if that doesn't work then get a new one.

 

Check the fluid level - add distilled water only and then charge overnight (12-16 hrs is best) . Battery should NOT be hot at end ( warm is ok ) and re check fluid. The battery should be ok but remember to start the S occaisionally. The anti-theft radio and any alarm systems are a constant current draw when the car is shut off.

The parts mgr at Lia Honda , Enfield , CT just told me that Interstate Battery has been supplying Honda dealers with replacement batteries for more than 5 yrs.

 

isn't your battery still covered under warrantee (think for two years then they pro-rate the battery

BUT john gave you the best advise pull the battery and place it on a trickle charger