Dead battery, again ... locating parasitic draw

[mdoyle]

Someone else already mentioned the same problem I'm having- sometimes when I turn off the ignition and take out the key, the shift position indicator will still be lit and a red battery light is displayed.

It's not a big deal to cycle the key again and it goes off, but if anyone else drives it, there is a risk they'll kill the battery if they don't notice it.

It's out of warranty and I mentioned it to the dealer while in for other service, he said it needs adjustment

I recall seeing a TSB about ignition switches, but I'll be damned if I can find it.

[TXSUT]

When I took mine in a few weeks ago, they supposedly couldn't find any problems. They put a charger on the new Optima battery overnight, thinking that maybe the battery was just weak from sitting on the shelf. Whatever. It took about two weeks, but the battery is drained again. When I called this morning to schedule an appointment, the service manager is already pointing a finger at my non-dealer-installed DVD headrests. Anything to keep it from being claimed under warranty, I guess. Taking it on Wednesday.

[TXSUT]

Okay, just got a call from my service guy saying that they replaced the (brand new) Optima Yellow Top, and that my problem was that that battery did not have enough cold cranking amps for my truck. Does that make any sense?

[PARAGON]

Originally Posted by TXSUT

Okay, just got a call from my service guy saying that they replaced the (brand new) Optima Yellow Top, and that my problem was that that battery did not have enough cold cranking amps for my truck. Does that make any sense?

Nope, been running a Yellow Top with not enough cold cranking amps for 3 years with no problem. I haven't read the rest of this thread yet. But sounds like a copout for something.

[PARAGON]

Pete, a battery place can load test the battery, but your battery is not the problem.

Unless your truck has been sitting still for the 2 weeks, it didn't drain over that time. Your alternator should recharge it and if the battery has a bad cylinder it would not retain a charge for very long EVERY TIME. It sounds as though your problem is more intermittent which leads to some type of draw.

I had it and it was the rear air still cycling overnight while the truck was off. Relays can stick open periodically.

They are just trying to give you an excuse because they can't find one themselves, most likely.

[PARAGON]

Originally Posted by TXSUT

Okay, just got a call from my service guy saying that they replaced the (brand new) Optima Yellow Top, and that my problem was that that battery did not have enough cold cranking amps for my truck. Does that make any sense?

Take that "brand new" optima to an optima battery dealer and have them test it.

Cold Cranking Amps really have nothing to do with it, in your situation. CCA is the number of amps a battery can provide at 0 degrees for 30 seconds and not drop below 7.2 volts.

[TXSUT]

Thanks Paragon, I appreciate it greatly. I felt like they were copping out, just as they did two weeks ago when all they did was put an overnight charge on the new Optima battery.

As it was before I took it in this morning, if I let the truck sit for anything less than 4 hours, it would start with no problem. Leave it overnight and it would have a tough time. It sat for about 12 hours last night, and this morning I had to jump start it.

Regardless, I guess all I can do at this point is take delivery and wait for this new battery they just installed to die on me...then take it back in and raise holy hell.

[TXSUT]

I thought I could get another unbiased opinion from a mechanic friend of mine, so I gave him a call. Turns out that he absolutely hates Optima batteries, says they're just a bunch of ****ty marketing hype. Also said he can't count the times customers have come in with new, dead Optima batteries and once replaced with Interstate batteries, voila, no more problems. So much for an unbiased opinion, huh? LOL! He did concur that the CCA story from the dealership was bull****, though.

I also had an issue with the right rear of the truck sitting lower than the left side, and asked them to level it (Z ratio or whatever it's called). The message the service guy left me said "we adjusted your torsion bars to level the rear." WTF?

[PARAGON]

Originally Posted by TXSUT

I thought I could get another unbiased opinion from a mechanic friend of mine, so I gave him a call. Turns out that he absolutely hates Optima batteries, says they're just a bunch of ****ty marketing hype. Also said he can't count the times customers have come in with new, dead Optima batteries and once replaced with Interstate batteries, voila, no more problems. So much for an unbiased opinion, huh? LOL! He did concur that the CCA story from the dealership was bull****, though.

I also had an issue with the right rear of the truck sitting lower than the left side, and asked them to level it (Z ratio or whatever it's called). The message the service guy left me said "we adjusted your torsion bars to level the rear." WTF?

ask them how much of an adjustment did they make to the rear torsion bars

[PARAGON]

Originally Posted by TXSUT

I thought I could get another unbiased opinion from a mechanic friend of mine, so I gave him a call. Turns out that he absolutely hates Optima batteries, says they're just a bunch of ****ty marketing hype. Also said he can't count the times customers have come in with new, dead Optima batteries and once replaced with Interstate batteries, voila, no more problems. So much for an unbiased opinion, huh? LOL! He did concur that the CCA story from the dealership was bull****, though.

I also had an issue with the right rear of the truck sitting lower than the left side, and asked them to level it (Z ratio or whatever it's called). The message the service guy left me said "we adjusted your torsion bars to level the rear." WTF?

He's right. I had one, Phil's had one or two. Sometimes when they come in, one or more of the cylinders are dead. Doesn't matter though, because that yellow top is not getting damaged by you dishcarging it with whatever problem is draining it. That interstate battery will get weaker and weaker the more it's completely discharged.

Also, there's all the other benefits of Optima mat-type batteries.