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#21
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If you end up replacing your battery, which seems likely, note that Optima batteries are not what they used to be. Around 2006 they moved production from Colorado to Mexico and quality suffered.
As of a few years ago, Deka batteries manufactured by East Penn were still made in the US and are of similar quality to your old Optima. In my area Fleet Farm sells them under the Roadrunner AGM ACE name and I've seen them in several places under different names.
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1970 GTO-vert, 461, eheads, stump puller, m20, 3.42 |
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#22
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I agree with SRR; I had three of them fail in a relatively short period of time and won't be buying them again.
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#23
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My $$ is on a bad starter...
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1970 GTO (Granada Gold) - 400 / TH400 |
#24
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advance auto is open for a battery check...My yellow top optima was at 1.2 volts and they brought it back from the dead
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1981 Trans Am project -YJ 400 stroked to 488 CID-74cc Eheads-10.95:1-Northwind Intake-Holley Terminator-TH400-Moser rear-Dougs Headers.... |
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#25
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I've had 2 less than 10 year old Optima Red tops fail this same way, 2 different vehicles. As said earlier, they ain't what they used to be!!! Switched to Odyssey's and no issues so far though they are known to fail also....
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The Following User Says Thank You to rwfisher For This Useful Post: | ||
#26
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Quote:
Possibly a poor connection from your jumper cables to terminals, or possibly your cars battery cable connections need cleaned and/or tightened. You were transmitting power thru your terminals. You had 12.6 volts after cranking it? Or only before? Have you removed the cables from your battery to check condition at connection surfaces, and then reinstall, or even just try tightening them? Do your battery cables have replacement battery terminal ends that sandwich the cable with 2 bolts? Lk Like this: https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/wc...2_pri_larg.jpg If your battery is good, a poor connection will get hot fast when cranking! Pretty clear to me the battery is done based on the cranking voltage you saw and the static voltage after cranking. Repeated Cranking attempts with a weak battery can do damage in the starter.... . FWIW.Me think it's gonna be a long wait till the virus is gone Stay Healthy My Friends! Last edited by STEELCITYFIREBIRD; 04-04-2020 at 10:44 PM. |
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#27
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I am giving some very serious thought to ordering new top post cables and getting an Interstate AGM battery. Good or bad, 15 years is a long run for a battery and it may be older than that depending on when the guy before me bought it. I can't say it isn't the starter yet but even if it is, the battery is old and I don't like side posters. Thanks, Rick
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#28
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I’d consider that a hell of a run ....... down in the hotter climate where I’m at, I’ve gotten 3-6 years no matter the brand. Currently running an optima red top going on 4 plus years with no issues yet...... but it’s time is probably coming.....
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71 GTO, 463, KRE 295 cfm heads ported by SD Performance, RPM intake, Qjet, Dougs Headers, Comp cams HR 246/252 ...11 to 1 , 3.55 cogs, 3985lbs.....day three- 11.04 at 120mph ....1.53 60', 6.98 1/8 mile |
The Following User Says Thank You to mchell For This Useful Post: | ||
#29
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I just bought a new one about 2 months ago. When I checked it when I got home was only 11.9V. It took a long time on my charger to get up to 100%. Then 2 days later put it back on to check it was down to 68%. Oreily checked it and said it was OK. Still think there is an issue. Going to recheck it today.
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Skip Fix 1978 Trans Am original owner 10.99 @ 124 pump gas 455 E heads, NO Bird ever! 1981 Black SE Trans Am stockish 6X 400ci, turbo 301 on a stand 1965 GTO 4 barrel 3 speed project 2004 GTO Pulse Red stock motor computer tune 13.43@103.4 1964 Impala SS 409/470ci 600 HP stroker project 1979 Camaro IAII Edelbrock head 500" 695 HP 10.33@132 3595lbs |
The Following User Says Thank You to Skip Fix For This Useful Post: | ||
#30
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We stopped using them in our fleet 10 years ago for this exact reason. They have been junk since at least 2010. Have gotten superior service out of Walmart batteries, believe it or not. Got 17 years out of the one in my '67 GTO and 16 years out of the one in my '65 GTO, or pretty close. They cost $27.95 back in '02 and '03. Their recent replacements were $118. Hope they last as long.
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Jeff |
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#31
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Well look what I found when I got off my fanny and started investigating.
Looks like new cables and a battery. Probably starter too since it is now suspect, might as well put the whole shooting match in while it's apart. Mini starter or stock starter? Interstate AGM good? 2 AWG cable? Thanks Rick
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Last edited by Koppster; 04-12-2020 at 12:28 PM. |
#32
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Oh boy!
[QUOTE=Koppster;6129213]Well look what I found when I got off my fanny and started investigating.
Looks like new cables and a battery. Probably starter too since it is now suspect, might as well put the whole shooting match in while it's apart. Mini starter or stock starter? Interstate AGM good? 2 AWG cable? Thanks Looks like it may have shorted against the block or your starter is drawing way to many Amps.
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“Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan Press On! has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.” ― Calvin Coolidge |
#33
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Final update, new RobbMc starter, new cables from custombatterycables.com (awesome folks) and a new AGM battery.
No shims required, starts like new money, very happy. Final analysis, battery cables were melted and shorting against the block. They had been routed through the tube over the top of the motor mount and were contacting the headers. The 15 year old Optima tested <220 cranking amps and I replaced the starter just cause. New cables are routed under the motor mount with heat shield to be safe. Thanks for all the help. Rick ...and by the way, I discovered my water pump is leaking while doing this, more money! lol
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#34
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Glad you got it sorted out! You last point about the water pump leak is why I always recommend that people get underneath their cars at least a few times per year, even on cars that see very few miles annually. It's good to do a visual inspection from time to time to see what else is potentially going on under there.
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1966 Pontiac GTO (restoration thread) 1998 BMW 328is (track rat) 2023 Subaru Crosstrek Limited (daily) View my photos: Caught in the Wild |
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#35
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, now you gotta find the cure for THE virus!
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#36
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...immediately after the water pump!
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#37
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I just replaced two Optimas that were 5 years old. I was disappointed thinking they were supposed to last longer then I found out they’re no longer the high quality battery they used to be and the newer ones are made cheaply in Mexico.
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Two 1975 455 Grandvilles & '79 455 Trans Am ‘69 Camaro SS 396/375 (owned since ‘88) ‘22 Toyota Sequoia V8 ‘23 Lexus LS500 awd ‘95 Ford F-super duty 4wd 7.3 p-stroke & countless Jeeps & off road vehicles. |
#38
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I have heard the reason why batteries seem to suck anymore is all the lead is now recycled. Any truth to this? Anybody know for sure? Glad you got it figured out!!
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" Is wearing a helmet illegal" Mike Kerr 1-29-09 |
#39
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Ever since I've been around automotive stuff, lead acid batteries have at most times brought the most money per pound at a scarp yard than other auto scrap, except for radiators. I would attribute it to the lead content of current batteries is less than earlier examples, the newer batteries aren't as heavy as the older ones were. To get more surface area they have holes in the plates which makes the plates deteriorate more rapidly. the sulfation in the bottom of the case builds more rapidly causing the plates to have a path of current to the other plates which causes a dead cell. I currently have 2 batteries from Rural King (house brand) in my diesel truck that are under 2 years old that I'm having problems keeping a charge. Just my theory, FWIW........ |
#40
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RV type batteries are much heavier. Although their CCA is slightly lower, they may be good over the long haul? I use a AC Delco Voyager 27MF
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1968 Firebird 400 RAII M21, 3.31 12 bolt, Mayfair Maize. 1977 Trans Am W72 400, TH350, 3.23 T Top Everyone you will ever meet knows something you don't. Bill Nye. |
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