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Looks like I spoke too soon. Tonight I got into my car and it wouldn't start. I had driven the car a few times during the day and literally shut the car down about 30 minutes before I got back in it to go home. The starter solenoid was clicking away, but it wouldn't turn over. My lights were flickering from lack of power, the digital dash barely lit up, my windows wouldn't roll down, my keyless entry wouldn't work, etc... I wound up jumping it by popping the clutch in 2nd gear and was able to drive 30 minutes home on the alternator, but when I got home and turned the car off, it would not start again on the battery. I've had it for a little over 2 years, so I doubt Optima is going to give me a refund. Off to Costco tomorrow for a cheapo battery. This car goes back on a lease next January, so I'm not spending an arm and a leg on another battery.
If your battery is still under warranty and you have the reciept, Optima will refund your purchase price. That's what they offered me on my 13-month old battery.
Originally Posted by NFRs2000NYC,Mar 3 2007, 12:56 PM
Did you try and charge it back to life?
Yes sir I did, the charger says it's full but when trying to start the car, it wouldn't turn. Was working great before the -20 degree rolled around, that's number 2.
Originally Posted by Reds2kracer,Mar 4 2007, 04:13 AM
Yes sir I did, the charger says it's full but when trying to start the car, it wouldn't turn. Was working great before the -20 degree rolled around, that's number 2.
Well my Sears receipt says I had a 12 month full replacement and 24 month prorated warranty. I've had the battery since 1/16/05. I've emailed Optima about the problem and waiting for a response. I took the battery to Walmart to get tested and it was only putting out 1 CCA (when it's supposed to have 625 CCA), so it was confirmed dead on arrival. I bought a Walmart Everstart for $48 and the car started up no probs.
Yesterday was not a good day for the S2000. Before my battery died, I came out of the mall after a few hours of shopping to discover that the dip$hit that parked next to me dinged and scratched my passenger side door when they opened their door (and their car was still there with my paint on their door!). Long story short, I called the cops, filed a report and unfortunately I couldn't wait long enough to confront the idiots about it because I had dinner plans to go to and my wife (who couldn't give two $hits about my car ) was bugging me to leave. So, I left and I'll bend over and take it like a man and pay to fix it myself. Looks like the door will have to be repainted. Sorry for the rant.
There is a defect with the design of this particular battery and I think manufacturing batch. That is what I got from the rep who offered a different size to replace, unfortunately, I did not want to jury rig something.
So I was given a refund on my purchase price. I had to fax them a copy of my original purchase receipt.
Do you think they'd refund me after 27 months? I'm going to have to call them and bust their chops about it. I still don't think a $140 battery should fail even 27 months after buying it. Going a little flat after sitting days on end in cold weather, maybe, but outright failing and only putting out 1 CCA, no.
Hey you guys are only referring to the smaller 51 type batteries failing right?
I heard of this problem before but only on the smaller batteries. For the larger standard size red/yellow/blue tops, those have no problems that I know about!
) was bugging me to leave. So, I left and I'll bend over and take it like a man and pay to fix it myself. Looks like the door will have to be repainted. 
