Bad Bettery?

[Jay M]

In the morning when I start the Viper it turns over as I would expect. Then I drive 5 minutes to Chick-Fil-A, eat my egg biscuit, then when I start the car again after sitting for 15 minutes it is really sluggish turning over. I took the battery to Sears (because it's a Die-Hard battery) to have them test it and it tested fine.

Could their battery tester be in error?

I don't know the history of the battery, but I do know that the previous owner used a battery tender because he didn't drive often enough.

Should I just blow $200 on a battery and see what happens?

I haven't been stranded yet, but it has made me a little anxious a few times.

thanks,
~Jay

 

[bluesrt]

draggy starter when hot

 

[JonB]

The Year Matters
Battery Age Matters

Sounds like a battery or ground issue

 

[Jay M]

Are you suggesting that the starter might be bad?

What kind of ground issue?
I'll look a the battery to see how old it is. Is it possible that the battery would pass a test, but still perform as I described because it's a old?

thanks,
~Jay

 

[Copperhead133]

How old is the battery and did they check the alternator?

 

[01sapphirebob]

I'll look a the battery to see how old it is. Is it possible that the battery would pass a test, but still perform as I described because it's a old?

thanks,
~Jay

This is possible. Have seen this happen to many here on the boards. The ground issue as Jon B mentioned could also be the problem. Start with the battery and go from there.

 

[Flexx91]

Lots of thing to consider here as already mentioned (age of car, age of battery, etc.). Take the battery to Autozone, etc. for a second opinion. If the car is out of warranty and your car is at least 3 to 4 years old, (you didn't mention the year), it will be wise to replace it with a new one anyway.

 

[Wiretech]

I would have the battery load tested in front of you, make sure the cable bolts are tight,or try another battery borrow one , be careful of the polarity do not reverse them.

 

[Jay M]

The kids at Sears didn't seem to be the sharpest knives in the drawer. Also, if the battery proved to be bad it might have been under Sears warranty which I suppose might have caused them to give the battery the benefit of the doubt.

The car is a 2004 and the battery is a Die Hard, so I don't think it's the original battery. My experience is that batteries usually only last me about 3 years.

~Jay

 

[Steve-Indy]

Is the Die-Hard a Gold or a Platinum?? There are BIG differences !!

In my experience, Die-Hard Gold batteries (about $90.00 each) are going 6-8 years in Gen I's & II's...using Deltran Battry Tender Plus
units.

The Die-Hard Platinum's are in our Gen III & IV's...so far doing well...though I did have one Platinum equipped Viper at a remote location
for 6 months with no tender...battery died at 3.5 year mark and could not be fully recharged by Sears tech, and the "80% charge ("13.3v") only lasted an hour or so. It was replaced free as per warranty at SEars.

As an aside, I have found that the newest Sears Charger has the usual settings for various types of
batteries...BUT this latest model has an extra setting for "Die-Hard Platinum" that was not seen on the older Sears charger that the Sears tech used on my bad battery. This makes me think that they know something "special" needs to be done with the charging algorithms for the Platinum series. Therefore, I am watching ours closely!!

 

[wikkid]

I've had batteries last 8 years. 3 years no way. My 2004 still has oem battery. Starts right up, like its brand new

 

[Steve-Indy]

Here is an interesting tidbit that gives a little insight into the Die-Hard Platinum-specific battery charger that I referenced above...taken from the Sears site listing "Reviews" (noting there are also negative reviews in the same section). I was hoping to dig up a more specific version of the Platinum-specific algorithm...will keep looking.

Here is the review:
"Our most helpful positive review
15 people thought this was helpful.

71227 is top of the line April 07, 2009

I tested the 71227 charger, and like it. The meter accuracy
is within 0.05 volts, and the charging algorithms appear to work quite well,
although they are not described in the instructions. I observed that the voltage
was generally limited to 15.5 for regular, 16.0 for deep cycle, and 14.7 for AGM
batteries. The 40 amp capability is in the form of a long timed pulse of about 2
minutes followed by 15 amps for a similar time period, then repeating until the
voltage has risen enough that it isn't required. The amperage isn't constant, it
tapers down to limit the voltage in typical CC/CV fashion, although the
algorithm appears to actually be more complex. For instance, on a particular AGM
battery it went to 15.5 volts near the end of the charge (95%) with current at
about 1.5 amps for about 30 minutes and then stopped (completed). I suspect that
this was an automatic attempt to condition the battery. A Schumacher SC-800A
charger (Schumacher actually makes the DieHard 71227 charger) did the same
thing. After three discharge cycles, it stoped doing the "high-voltage
treatment". Also, in AGM/DieHard Platinum mode it went to 15.5 volts briefly
during one of the 40 amp cycles. Although the instructions for DieHard Platinum
(Odyssey) say to choose a charger with <14.8 volts, this charger was
obviously designed with these batteries in mind. The only negative I noticed was
that if the AC power cycles, after 15 minutes it will come back on as a charger
set for regular battery mode and set for 2 amps. I wouldn't recommend leaving an
AGM battery connected on maintenance mode. Overall, it's a nice charger. I hope
some of the tech info above helps."