Man, I've been away for a long time, this is my first post in ages- sorry it's a problem post....

The other day I was in a store after having driven my car around for about 20 mins. I was only in the store for about 10 min, and I KNOW I didn't leave anything on (like headlights, dome lights, etc.)

I get back in my car to start it, and there's this noise, like the engine's turning over, but a little louder and more electronic sounding (I really can't describe it). I just figure I didn't hold the button long enough for the engine to turn over all the way, and I try again. Click-click-click (dead battery sound).

I found a jiffy lube and a guy came out to jump my battery, but even that didn't work, the battery was COMPLETEY drained.

But I've had NO battery issues at all since I got a NEW battery (optima yellow top) six months ago. So what the heck happened? How did I completely drain the battery in a few seconds? Any ideas???

(I ended up buying a new battery at Autozone, and I plan to go to Sears for a warranty claim on the Optima)

 

Your battery may have been nearly completely drained before that trip. It may have had just enough juice left in it for you to start the engine. Once started, the charging system took over but depending upon how you were driving and what accessories you were running for that trip, the charging system may not have had enough output to do it all and the battery may have continued to drain to a point where there was not enough to start the engine when you came back from the store.

 

The charging system (ie alternator/regulator) may be bad. You used a lot of juice during your previous start, then more juice while driving, and you shut the car off just before the electrical system failed. My guess is your alternator or regulator is bad, so your battery isn't getting charged, and if that's the case, your new battery will soon be dead too. Charge old the battery fully and see if it holds a charge if you have a stage charger, otherwise just try and follow the warranty procedures with Sears.

 

^ Another good diagnosis.

 

But wouldn't I be seeing SOMETHING- like a weak start the previous trip? Especially since the battery is designed for "deep cycle" usage, meaning it should be able to come back from the dead?

The weirdest thing I thought was that when I got out of the car and locked it (double click) the horn was normal, but when I came back, it sounded like a beaten puppy.

What's the average life on the alternator? Thanks for the fast replies.

J

 

Optima, I blame the battery. Ive warrantied, as of today 6 out of the 7 we've sold so far in the last few months.

 

hrm... i hate to say it, but i'd also suspect the Optima...

i recently had a failure of my 2nd yellow top in less than 3 years. i will not be buying another yellow top.


https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showt...0&#entry6699853

 

Its not the alternator. I would bet the battery.

 

Very easy to diagnose......you got a new battery...did the car start right up? If so, and you drove it since, your alternator is perfectly A-OK. S2000 alternators arent know to fail. In fact, I dont think Ive read a post on s2ki regarding a dead alternator. Never say never, but its close enough.

 

So if the battery failed, and there's nothing else wrong with the car, why did it not jump-start?