Honda dealer said, Battery test Bad - recommended to change battery, Sears said no need to cgange

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by Santa, Nov 3, 2003.

  1. Santa

    Santa Guest

    Honda dealer said (when I took my car for 60K miles service), Battery
    test Bad - recommended to change battery, Sears said no need to
    cgange, unless the car started with jumpstart. These are the results
    when Honda printer for me when the dealer tested my battery (5 years
    old car, bought brand new 5 years back, sofar I didn't change the
    battery).

    Battery size - 440CCA
    Initial voltage - 12.97V
    Loadvoltage 9.90V
    State of the charge - 91%
    Resistance - 0.0mOhm
    Battery temp - 70F

    Bad tested BAD

    When I show this info, in sears, they said, unless the car comes to
    stage of it needed jumpstart, no need to change. Finally I didn't
    change the battery, no problem in starting, no problem in headlights
    sofar, but I am getting scare is, suppose of I turn on my headlight
    while I am driving, will that makes my car down?. I am thinking of
    whether to change the battery or not?. Can some expert suggest me,
    what to do. Thanks and appreciated.
     
    Santa, Nov 3, 2003
    #1
  2. Santa

    DrPimpDaddi Guest

    I would change it ASAP. On average, batteries last 5 years.

    The last thing you want is to find out you need a new battery when you're alone
    on a deserted highway at night.

    I remember looooong time ago, we were at the beach when we found the battery
    dead. Since it was midnight, no one was around. Finally, someone showed up and
    my dad asked him for a jumpstart. He refused to do it unless he was paid $50.
    He reluctantly paid it. Damn negroes don't know the meaning of good samaritan.




    ....................
    I do not killfile nor use do-not-call lists.
     
    DrPimpDaddi, Nov 3, 2003
    #2
  3. Santa

    E. Meyer Guest

    Turning on your lights (or radio, etc.) while the car is running is not
    going to have any effect on the battery. The power comes from the
    alternator when the car is running.

    The problem you are going to have will be on some cold morning, when you
    don't have any extra time, the car is not going to start and you will need
    that jump start that Sears is telling you about. At that point you will
    have to get a new battery. It might happen tomorrow. It might be fine for
    another 6 months.

    5 years is pretty good for a Honda OEM battery. Around here (Texas) we're
    lucky if they make it through two summers.
     
    E. Meyer, Nov 3, 2003
    #3
  4. Santa

    NetSock Guest

    Battery quality (price) is determined by cranking amps, and months.

    60 months is about the longest battery lives you can buy...so even if you
    assume Honda put the "best" battery in the car, its life could be at the
    very end.

    However it should be noted that "charge cycles" have a lot to do with
    battery life, as does "in the red" battery load. If you have a car your
    starting 10-12 daily, expect your battery to have a shorter life. Also, if
    you load accessories at idle (big stereo, police car) so the battery is
    outputting more amps than it is receiving (discharging), that can also
    effect battery life.
    These number are subjective. At what amp draw did they come up with the
    "Loadvoltage"?
    Hey...have you been talking to Mike? :)
    Wont happen with a working alternator...providing your not discharging.
    Change your battery.
     
    NetSock, Nov 3, 2003
    #4
  5. Santa

    dold Guest

    I think five years is excellent life from an OEM battery.

    The failure mode might be that if you leave your lights on once, and need
    a jumpstart, the battery won't hold a charge at all after that.
    You would prefer to know that the battery is going to go bad just before it
    does.

    Did Sears actually test it? I think Sears, Kragen, and the dealer probably
    all use a very similar load test. Probably 15 seconds at a load equal to
    the battery rating, maybe 440Amps in this case.

    9 volts probably won't start the car. 9.9 volts in this test may indicate
    that it won't start the car on a cold day...
     
    dold, Nov 3, 2003
    #5
  6. Santa

    pars Guest

    The original battary on my DX hatch is still doing great, after 5
    canadian winters. I've got it loaded down with a 100amp bazzoka
    subwoofers, a total of 600watts of speakers, CD Changer and Alpine
    receiver. In countless occations, i've had the car plasting the music 8
    hrs straight. I've left the interior lights on in many occations and
    drained the battary. I've also jump started stalled cars in about 20 to
    30 insidence over the years...

    We'll just have to see how well the battary holds up this comming
    winter.

    Pars
    98 DX Hatch
     
    pars, Nov 4, 2003
    #6
  7. Since when is a battery test a part of normal dealership maintenance?!
    It sounds like they're looking for an excuse to sell you something.

    If this was a 96/97 Civic, the numbers above would be passing. Its test
    procedure is:

    Battery must be between 70F and 100F.
    Bring battery to full charge.
    Apply 300A load for 15 seconds.
    Allow 15 seconds recovery.
    Apply an amperage load of 1/2 CCA rating for 15 seconds.
    Voltage must remain above 9.6 volts during load test.

    Get a second opinion and post your model of car. Dealerships will scam
    customers just like any greasy hole-in-the-wall shop will. Compare
    parts prices too. The scam dealerships will jack the prices up 2 or 3
    times list price.
     
    Kevin McMurtrie, Nov 4, 2003
    #7
  8. Santa

    Bob W. Guest

    My wifes VW battery last 9 years before it exploded. Man, what a mess
    it made. It even dented the hood.
     
    Bob W., Nov 4, 2003
    #8
  9. Santa

    Dick Guest

    I'd say you have a dead battery just waiting to happen. One of these
    days it's going to fail you, likely without warning. Once a battery
    gets to five years of life it is good insurance to replace it. Unless
    of course you like being stranded somewhere with a dead battery. Do
    you really want to wait until it fails?

    Dick
     
    Dick, Nov 4, 2003
    #9
  10. Santa

    jim Guest

    our 2001 honda needed a jump to start.. the battery checked out fine. i
    just ignored it..... so two weeks later it needed a jump to start..
    battery checked out fine.... i figured it was time to get a new
    battery.. Auto Zone, cost about $39.95 for a new battery, 440 CCA....
    with a 1 yr. replacement and then the next 4 yrs. prorated... no big
    deal for a battery... its three yrs old..no sense in pushing it.....
    just go buy a new battery,...
     
    jim, Nov 4, 2003
    #10
  11. Santa

    pars Guest

    The cold weather seems to be a usefull tool when determing the quality
    of the battary. Last winter, My Hatch was snowed-in for a week untill I
    finally got around to digging it out. Luckly, the car started, but I
    needed two attemts (consisting of 3 cranks each) and I doubt there was
    enough juice left in that battary for a third try. Given that my car has
    always started on the first try (When strating the car, I will not keep
    the ignition going for more then 3 cranks), if the car fails to start-up
    after the first attempt, I'll know something is wrong and have it
    changed. Hopefully, an explosion will not be in order untill that
    happens.

    Pars
     
    pars, Nov 5, 2003
    #11
  12. Santa

    Santa Guest

    Thanks for your suggestions and comments, appreciated
     
    Santa, Nov 5, 2003
    #12
  13. Santa

    John Cho Guest

    yeap...for about 50 bucks, hopefully you will not need to worry about it for
    another few years vs getting stuck somewhere waiting for help.
     
    John Cho, Nov 8, 2003
    #13
  14. Santa

    Barry S. Guest

    I was taught as follows:

    When the battery is FULLY charged and can take a load of 1/2 its CCA
    (220A) for 15 seconds without dropping below 9.6V, it was good.

    I'd ask the dealer how they determined the battery was bad.

    __________________
    Note: To reply, replace the word 'spam' embedded in return address with 'mail'.
    N38.6 W121.4
     
    Barry S., Nov 8, 2003
    #14
  15. Santa

    Terry Guest

    As you alude heat is the biggest killer in modern cars.
    Way back when we all drove carsx with carbs, and non electronic
    ignition (can you say Ketting?) systems, most batteries died on
    the first super cold night that hit. But for the last 20 years or
    so, more people have dead batteries in July or August after a long
    hot day. Most modern cars require very little battery power to start.
    I am starting my 1985 Celica with a lawnmower battery. (trying to decide
    to between restoring and junking) The Celica starts easier then the
    MDT/ Briggs 15HP engine.

    Does else remember 6 volt cars, and how much current they require?
    We used to jump my wife 63 bug from my 68 bug. She kept her lights
    and radio off and the bug would start on the coldest days, but with a
    new 6V battery, it had to crank for a long time.

    And I would try to avoid letting my battery weaken to the point where I
    needed a jump, modern electronics are tricky and I have several friends
    who "smoked" their auto CPUs with a jump. Works both ways, either car
    can lose it's CPU.
    Terry
     
    Terry, Nov 10, 2003
    #15
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