Optima Battery

PrImEtImE · 07-16-2005, 03:22 PM

About two weeks ago i got a yellowtop battery installed to replace the stock acdelco battery. Was working fine til this morning i had NO POWER at all. I can jump the battery and the car will run but once the car's off the power shuts off totally. What sucks is that it's a Saturday and i can't get my car in anywhere. Would I assume I need a new alternator????

07-16-2005, 07:30 PM

Most service places and part stores, ie Kragen, Pep Boys, Advance auto, Napa, Will test your alternator for free.

It's most likely you're alternator, or the connections. Have the battery tested as a precaution. I've seen new batteries go right after an intall. You have to be careful where you buy them, and how long they've been sitting in some warehouse.

PrImEtImE · 07-17-2005, 06:46 PM

cool man thanks. take them both out today and having them tested this week hopeufully because i miss driving it, if its the alternator i think i'm going to get a 160 amp. That should be better?

07-17-2005, 11:21 PM

WHat you had should be fine, unless your running a stereo system that draws alot more.

If you're running a system, the higher alternator would charge your battery quicker, also might want to ccheck into a capictator. One brand I know of is Lightning caps. You might be able to find it at your everyday electronic stores, or a good car audio shop/installer. Best price would be online though.

07-17-2005, 11:32 PM

PrImEtImE, sounds to me like your battery or better yet your connection is bad, not your alternator.

If your car can be jumped and runs fine, but will not start again after you shut off the ignition then

1. Your battery is not charging or
2. Your connection is bad.

My reason behind this is that you can run fine after a jump so that means that your alternator is providing power to run the spark plugs. I suggest testing out this method.

With the power off, turn on your headlight. If the light are dim or won't turn on that means your battery is not being charged. Advance or Auto Zone will test your battery for free. Tell them to put the battery under load test and ask what reading it gives you. The load test if correct will tell if the battery is good, bad or needs to be charged.

07-17-2005, 11:35 PM

I recommended having both tested as a precaution.

I had a battery go bad, but I didn't know which for sure, so I took it in first.

It jumped fine, but could hold enough cold cranking amps to get going.

that was a 99 escort which originally did have a bad connection (terminal) which I replaced. The battery lasted a good 5 years, whioch was about the life expentancy of it.

PrImEtImE · 07-19-2005, 12:05 AM

ya, just tried turning on the lights and high beams. nothing at all, not even dim. Wednesday i'm going to have them both charged at the place i bought the battery. They have a 160amp alternator for 169.99 at http://store.motorcityreman.com for the 2.4 alero. If it comes down to it, that might be the one i'm going to have to order. My system i know has to have something to do with it. Not sure exactly what my subs are running or amp, I have 2 12" pioneer premier subs and a hifonics zx7500 two channel amp 500x2 watts. Probably get a second one so each sub has it's own amp. Lights dim pretty much and the rpm's shook a little so most likely the alternator now that i noticed not even the lights are workin. Thanks for the help

sound_xtreme · 07-19-2005, 02:42 AM

ya, your alternator is fine. i'll guess battery connections.

PrImEtImE · 07-20-2005, 10:06 AM

Well this morning I got my battery/alt tested. Looks like it's the alternator it's only pushing i think it was about 12.81v to be exact and I believe it should be somewhere around 14v? so it looks like i'm going to have to upgrade the alt, and re-charge the battery

PrImEtImE · 07-20-2005, 04:22 PM

Not that anybody cares, lol. But I've ordered my new alt. It's going to be 200amp which should be awesome compared to stock. Upgrade the wire to 2-gauge and i'll be set to go, let everybody know later next week some time what the difference is.

07-20-2005, 09:01 PM

WHat kinda alt did you order? DO you have to retrofit it? or is it already sized to be a direct replacement, same holes, threads, etc?

PS, Look into that capicitaor, they have one for sale in the bazaar :P

PrImEtImE · 07-21-2005, 04:25 PM

i'm not sure exactly what kind it is. I ordered it from the website earlier in this forum. All i know is that it's going to be a 200amp and i was told that it whould be exactly the same fitment so I'll just have to swith them, than i have to upgrade the wire running from the battery to the alt to a 2-gauge and that should do it. can't wait to get it next week.

PrImEtImE · 07-28-2005, 08:11 PM

Finally got my 200amp alternator delivered to the door tonight. Saturday it will be put in. CAN"T WAIT!

PrImEtImE · 07-30-2005, 08:11 PM

got the alternator put in today. Not able to upgrade the wire to a 2gauge but that will be done monday morning or for sure wednesday. Works great so far and probably will notice even more of a difference once I change the wiring!!

07-31-2005, 01:41 AM

let me know how you upgrade the wiring........

PrImEtImE · 08-03-2005, 02:00 PM

to rewire my alternator and battery with a 2gauge wire i wasn't really sure how. My local audio shop installed it for me.