Odd Battery Behavior

[jayriddle]

When my '94 is cold, she starts up fine -- battery feels/sounds strong, like new. But if the car is warm -- say sitting in a parking lot for an hour -- the car struggles to start with what sounds like a weak battery. It is able to turn over the motor once or twice, but it barely catches and fires up. Yesterday for the first time, it wouldn't start at all, and I needed to get a jump.

I know the obvious answer is to just replace the battery, but it is less than 2 years old with less than 2,000 miles on it, and behaves like new when the car is cold, leading me to suspect something else is going on.

Any ideas on what might cause these symptoms?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Ron Jones]

Throw a good charge on the battery and see if it acts normal. If so, check your alternator.

 

[kssssnake]

First, measure the voltage before you try to start it. Check and clean the battery connections. New batteries can go bad.

 

[daveg]

I have seen starters act like that (when they get heat soaked) but as stated, look at Battery first

 

[Goggles Pizano]

You are still under warranty just go return the battery.

Plus in the US, auto parts stores can test the battery and charging system on car.

 

[LifeIsGood]

I was having a few battery related issues a month ago on my 2001. The battery was just over 2 years old. I purchased it from Sam's Club (Duracell). My volt meter said it was fine. I took it to Sam's and it was bad. They replaced it under warranty.

 

[Steve-Indy]

Resting voltage is one indicator of battery health. Load test is even better !!

 

[Badsnek]

If you do not keep the car on a tender when you’re not driving it, then you will kill batteries that fast. At least that’s the experience I’ve had with my Vipers. They all stay on tenders now and I buy the cheapest batteries I can find and have zero issues.

I had very similar issues that you’re having and turned out my battery was bad. Replaced the battery and have kept that specific car on a tender and have never had another issue.

 

[jayriddle]

Got it fully charged with the Battery Tender and took it to Autozone for the free test. Bad battery. Still unclear to me why it seemed stronger when the motor was cold, but I'll just have to live with the mystery.

Thanks to all who replied.