So - when to just give up on the battery?

[LightRoasted]

For your consideration ...

I'm battling the same situation with the Jeep right now, but it seems my dead battery was a symptom. I'll be ordering an alternator.

I don't use the minimum recommended battery for my vehicles, but if I get 3 good years I consider it a win.

I believe I have a faulty diode, but the alternator looks to be original, so it's 20 years old. The standard replacement starts at over $200.

A cold snap like we experienced can definitely do a number on a marginal battery.

Don't order an alternator just yet. Start the car then disconnect the battery. If the car is still running after disconnecting the battery, the alternator is fine.

 

[black dog]

I'm battling the same situation with the Jeep right now, but it seems my dead battery was a symptom. I'll be ordering an alternator.

I don't use the minimum recommended battery for my vehicles, but if I get 3 good years I consider it a win.

I believe I have a faulty diode, but the alternator looks to be original, so it's 20 years old. The standard replacement starts at over $200.

A cold snap like we experienced can definitely do a number on a marginal battery.

If you rebuild it yourself, install new voltage reg, rectifier bridge, diode trio and brushes if you can find the parts.

 

[Sneakers]

If you rebuild it yourself, install new voltage reg, rectifier bridge, diode trio and brushes if you can find the parts.

I can help. I have a 5 lb hammer.

 

[PrchJrkr]

For your consideration ...





Don't order an alternator just yet. Start the car then disconnect the battery. If the car is still running after disconnecting the battery, the alternator is fine.

For now. There was a 7.62vdc drain before I isolated the alternator. Drain dropped back to 0vdc when I disconnected it. It never came back after reconnecting it, but I didn't have enough daylight or patience to go any further. I didn't want to futz up Sam's thread too much, but I'm fairly sure that the alternator could use a refresh after 20 years.

 

[Sneakers]

t I didn't have enough daylight or patience to go any further.

As offered before, you're welcome to use my heated garage.

 

[PeoplesElbow]

This reminds me my truck battery is going on six years.

FWIW I just buy the cheap EverStart batteries from Walmart and they seem to last just as long as any others I've owned.

 

[PrchJrkr]

This reminds me my truck battery is going on six years.

FWIW I just buy the cheap EverStart batteries from Walmart and they seem to last just as long as any others I've owned.

I've had quite a few Everstart and they're fine batteries. We sell Interstate, so there's an added incentive.

 

[SamSpade]

So I had it checked out - I'm really not all that good at diagnosing these things and yeah, it was thankfully JUST the battery.
And it was the one the car came with, meaning - over ten years old.

Since I'm going to give this one to my daughter ANYWAY- I feel better about her not getting stranded anywhere.