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08-07-2009, 11:04 AM | #1 |
Drives: 07 Hatchback Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 15
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Slow Cranking - Battery?
I have an 07 HB. I've noticed that cranking on start is getting slower. The indicator on the service-free battery says it's OK. Got to figure the battery is at least 3 years old. But I haven't much of anything on the forums about battery problems. You guys got anything?
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08-07-2009, 11:37 AM | #2 | |
Drives: 2013 Chevy Spark 1LT 5-speed Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 1,185
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Quote:
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08-07-2009, 11:44 AM | #3 |
Audio Junky
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use it till it no longer turns over. Batteries slowly lose their charge over time, especially if they've been completely discharged and recharged multiple times. To try and get a some additional time out of your battery you can...
Stop playing the stereo a minute before you get to your destination, and wait 1 minute when starting your car before turning your stereo on. (allows your battery to have a more complete charge don't use electronics when your car is not turned on (once again, radio is primary offender here... but sometimes people will have their fan blowing too). |
08-07-2009, 11:57 AM | #4 |
DARK PHASE OF THE MOON
Drives: 07 liftback Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: the Boondocks, NC
Posts: 993
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Have you tries a trickle charger. I'm still runiing the original battery on my Tacoma afte 8 yrs with regular trickle charges.
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08-07-2009, 12:41 PM | #5 |
It's the illusion you see
Drives: 07 Yaris Sedan Aero Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Brossard, QC
Posts: 3,888
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keeping the battery FULL helps keeping it working longer.
so, many short trips definitely do not help. Although, lead acid batteries usually have a life of 4years. |
08-07-2009, 01:21 PM | #6 |
Half a Bubble Off Plumb
Drives: 2009 Yaris Sedan Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Bristol, Tennessee, USA
Posts: 1,593
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A lot of them don't make it that long. I've kept some going with the trickle charger. Often there comes a point when they're just suddenly DEAD and there's nothing you can do about it except put in a new one.
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08-07-2009, 01:26 PM | #7 |
Drives: '09 Yaris carmine red 2d HB Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Middletown, NY
Posts: 1,501
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Igggy....I see you live in Las Vagas.
Contrary to most popular opinions, it's heat, not cold that will destroy a battery. AS others have stated, your battery is just probably on its way out. I've seen many batteries just die after about 4 years. |
08-07-2009, 02:27 PM | #8 | |
Audio Junky
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Quote:
Heat = quicker discharge.... without proper charging, yeah, it will die quicker than normal Cold = slower discharge.... get it cold enough and an otherwise battery won't be able to start the car. Bat isn't dead, just too slow/cold... would probably work perfectly fine in temps 30F higher. I had a stock mazda 626 bat last me 5 years... it still worked perfectly fine when replaced. I only replaced it because I was running 2500 rms worth in amplifiers. Replaced it with an Optima blue top... that lasted me 5 years as well... it still was working perfectly fine, I didn't get rid of that battery... I sold the car... would've kept the battery, except I was moving to japan, and it wasn't worth putting in storage. I lived in a climate that hit 0F (or below) in the winters, and 100F (or higher) in the summers.... both hot & cold... both batteries held up perfectly fine... It's all about how you use them. Also.... if anybody wants to reduce stress on the bat & alt... they should upgrade the alt to bat cable (for quicker charges), and the bat to chasis cable (for more efficient discharges). Stock is 8awg I think.... add a 4awg cable in addition... would literally cut the electrical resistance down to a third of the original amount. Would cost less than $15 and 30 mins to do up all nicely. |
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08-07-2009, 03:12 PM | #9 |
DARK PHASE OF THE MOON
Drives: 07 liftback Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: the Boondocks, NC
Posts: 993
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could also help solve the battery problems I have on my tractor
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08-07-2009, 03:44 PM | #10 |
Half a Bubble Off Plumb
Drives: 2009 Yaris Sedan Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Bristol, Tennessee, USA
Posts: 1,593
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Cleaning terminals and connections often helps a lot.
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08-07-2009, 05:23 PM | #11 |
High speeds are fun...
Drives: 07' Polar White sedan Base Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Moreno Valley, CA
Posts: 52
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check for lose cables.
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08-07-2009, 05:52 PM | #12 |
DARK PHASE OF THE MOON
Drives: 07 liftback Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: the Boondocks, NC
Posts: 993
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Ditto YH: cleaning terminals can completely slove many problems that intially seem quite serious: a wire brush, some wd and some carborundum sand paper and a rag can work wonders. Anti corrosion compound on the terminals is well worth the pitance it costs (in the little plastic envelopes for under a buck)
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08-07-2009, 06:12 PM | #13 | |
Drives: 09 3Dr Manual Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Michigan
Posts: 210
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Quote:
My experience with batteries is there's three phases. Phase 1: Forgetaboutit: you turn the key and the magic just happens. Phase 2: Clean the battery posts and cable ends a couple of times a year and life is good. Phase 3: How well stocked is your wallet? Grasshopper, I'm guessing you've entered phase 2.
__________________
Just put the pedal down and let the devil take the hindquarters. |
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08-07-2009, 10:48 PM | #14 |
Mr. Clean
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Another thing to keep in mind is that low voltage and slow cranking will eventually burn up your starter. I know I'd rather just get a new battery than a new battery and a new starter.
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08-08-2009, 09:55 AM | #15 |
Drives: 2013 Chevy Spark 1LT 5-speed Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 1,185
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And another thing to remember is that an alternator needs a good reference source (AKA: battery) ...that's why when replacing an alternator rule of thumb is to recharge battery to at least 75% of a full charge before starting vehicle. I'm guessing that if OP had his battery tested it'd be down about 100 amps from the original CCA rating on the battery, unless there's an obvious fault such as corrosion build-up.
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08-08-2009, 11:50 AM | #16 |
Drives: '09 Yaris carmine red 2d HB Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Middletown, NY
Posts: 1,501
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We can discuss semantics but excessive heat is bad for a battery and can shorten its life.
Yeah, battery termnal corrosion is often a problem. This is one reason why I like Optima batteries. They are corrosion free due to being completely sealed. |
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