wrapper8758

iTrader: (3)

Hey guys,
My 85 TA 305 TPI battery wont stay charged. It is only 1 yr old, and I had to put about 1/3 gallon of distilled water in today.
The problem:
The car wont start, starter only chatters at me... The battery sits at about 10v after a night of sitting.
If I jump the car, It starts right up, holds steady 14v while running with Lights on, fan running , etc. I let it run about 40 minutes at 2k RPM.
My lights arent dimming as a bad alternator usually will cause.
As SOON as iI shut her off and try to start again, starter chattering.
The battery shows 12v at the terminals when the car dies and wont re-start.
I have checked my grounds, cleaned the battery terminals that are new anyways, used dielectric grease on them too.
Either my alternator is not holding charge?
Or is this a grounding issue that can be ANYWHERE?
I do have a problem with my hazard flashers... they intermittently work, the turn signals dont flash, and sometimes it doesnt "blink" when turned on.
My directionals are the same... intermittent arrows lighting on the dash, usually the right arrow works....rarely the left.
The signal lights all work though front and rear.
Maybe a corroded light plug ?
I removed the hazard fuse & charged again, but same problem.
Any ideas ???? GREATLY APPRECIATED!!
Thanks, Paul

chevymec

iTrader: (5)

Sounds like a possible bad cell. You shouldnt have to be adding water to a year old battery. Letting the car run to charge the battery really isnt as good as putting it on a battery charger. What kinda of warranty is on the battery?

jms

iTrader: (1)

You have a bad alternator.

With a bad or weak battery, trying to recharge the battery with the engine running puts too much of a load on the alternator, eventually burning the alternator out. Diodes can be burnt out letting voltage run more than one way thus letting battery discharge when engine not running.

Replace the alternator and battery together and don't get a cheap rebuilt alternator. Get a NEW one with a lifetime warranty. Not that expensive. Last one I got at Autozone, a couple years ago, was around $125 or so, after replacing two rebuilt ones in a year.

jms

wrapper8758

iTrader: (3)

jms,
I was hoping its not the alternator. I guess Ill pull it and have it tested. I didnt think that it would charge back up when running if the alternator is n/g.
Its strange that it doesnt have enough cranking power even after shutting off and immediately trying to start it again.
I hate to spend another 200.00 to replace both.
Ill have to check tomorrow.
Thanks for the input!
Paul

dstss

Battery is most likely problem. The fact that you are getting 14 with the engine running shows good alternator output. You can get a reading of 12 on a sitting battery but if it is bad inside you will see a major drop off when you put on a load. If you had to add that much water, the plates are probably fried. Another possibility is a starter that is going out and putting to much load on the weak battery. Go to Autozone and have the battery tested. Drive it down there and they will test the whole system. Make sure they also remember to check the starting system. It is part of the same free test, but they don't always remember to do it. .

FirehawkSS

iTrader: (2)

I vote for battery. I just got rid of one in a camaro i used to own. I would have to jump it everyday to get it running. After it was jumped it ran fine until I parked it for the night. In the morning it was dead and needed a jump. Alt. was fine. No battery drains or anything. When I replaced the battery it started right up every morning after that. Just a bad crap battery.

chevymec

iTrader: (5)

Gotten anything checked yet??

wrapper8758

iTrader: (3)

Not yet, I had to go to work today, so I only pulled the battery so far. I think I may put it back in, take the car to autozone, and have them test the system. It is theyre Battery, so maybe I can get a pro-rated replacement if just the battery.
I will keep you posted....
Thanks again, Paul
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I think I am going to take your advice dstss....It is an Autozone battery anyways.
Keep you posted.
Thanks, Paul

dstss

Your information is as bad as your spelling and punctuation. None of the major parts stores sell refurb batteries except when labeled as such. Like most things you get what you pay for and Optima makes great batteries, but they don't have as much warrenty as an Autozone or Sears battery.

theMAGICALheat

you put an autozone battery in your auto??
well, to get your battery and alternator checked, you can go to sears auto center and for 13 bucks (or free at autozone) and they will test your battery and alternator.
You MAY have a PARASITIC drain somewhere, which may need an electrical specialist.

As far as the optima batteries go, they are ok, but when i used to work at sears we had to warranty a bunch of them because they went bad. we got rid of them when sears came out with their PLATINUM SERIES. its an awesome battery and worth the money. We are going to put on in our 1996 pont. firebird which we have made into KIFT (KNIGHT RIDER 4TH GEN VERSION, instead of the abomination of a dodge stealth or ford mustangs!)

wrapper8758

iTrader: (3)

FINAL RESULT:
Took The Battery back to Autozone today, they load tested it....10.3 v....
They agreed that the battery was TOAST and gave me a brand new one.
You get 3 years replacement free if battery is crap, and pro-rated after 3 yrs.
I decided to go for the freebie instead of buying an upgrade, I may as well since the price was right.
Put some fresh Dielectric grease on the terminals & cables ..........
The car starts right up, windows and headlights ZOOM up & down.
You dont realize how fast they should run with a GOOD power source when you get used to them slowing down over time!
Now I need to figure out my hazard flasher and signal issues.......
Thanks for the help Boys!!!!!!