So this probelm started about eight years ago when the 4R was three years old (its a '95). I went out to start it one day and it was a bit hard to start, almost like if something was draining the battery. If it would sit for just an hour or two, it would start fine, but overnight it would get harder and harder to start. Even after a long drive when it had time to fully charge the battery and then sitting overnight, it would be hard to start. Also, once it started doing that, if I were to put more of a strain on the electrical system - like in the rain with the wipers, lights, ac, stereo, and fogs on - everytime I came to a stop, I could see my voltage dropping and I had to turn off everything unnecessary (stereo and fogs) and put it in neutral and rev it up a little just to keep it going.
I got the vehicles electrical system checked out and everything was fine as I was told. Got the battery checked and it wouldn't hold a charge. I got a new battery and thought that would be the end of it.
Well, almost exactly a year later, it started doing the same thing. At the time, I was using DieHard (Sears) batteries. I thought the problem might be with the batteries, so I went with another brand. I heard good things about Optima batteries and wanted a Yellow Top. But, I couldn't afford the $150 or whatever they were back then, so decided to give Costco batteries a try. I heard that they were ok for the price and they have a good warranty. I took my losses with the DieHard and went with Costco.
Just about a year later, the same thing happens. So, I take that battery back to Costco and get it exchanged for a new one, no problem. At this same time, I'm also realizing that the probelm is not so much with the batteries, but with the 4R. So, I first take it to the guy that has done all of the electrical work on the 4R and he finds nothing except a slight drain from the headunit which was wired constant. He put that on a switched circuit and it took care of that drain. I also mentioned it to my mechanic who has a couple of these 2nd Gen 4Rs and knows them inside out. He took a look at the stock system and couldn't find anything that could be causing that.
Sure enough, a year later, same thing. So, by then I thought maybe I just have too many accessories for these smaller stock size batteries to handle. I finally got what I wanted, an Optima Yellow Top. That was three years ago. After it made it past one year and then two, I thought maybe probelm solved. But no, that one went out on me this week. The Yellow Top made it three years and didn't start to show problems in the same way as the others. It would start up fine, but over the last couple of weeks, I noticed my lights getting dimmer and dimmer, especially at a stop and the voltage getting lower. Finally, a couple of nights ago going through the In 'n Out drive-thru, it dropped so low, it couldn't even power the amp. I tried to condition the battery once I pulled it and then charge and it charges fine, it just won't hold a charge.
So, for now, its back to the cheap Costco batteries. Just because they're warranted for 100 months with a 36 month free replacement, they're fairly inexpensive and there is no hastle when returning one. I was tempted to get another Yellow Top since Costco has them now. They have an 84 month warranty on them with a 36 month free replacement. But I figured I'd go the cheap route for now.
So, after all that, any ideas what could be causing this? I've searched and can't find anything. Also asked a few knowledgable people, and they can't really give me an answer. I do have a fairly good amount of aftermarket electronics in there (stereo with one amp a sub and components in the doors, fogs, cb, scanner, alarm). But I wouldn't think that could cause the batteries to prematurely die.
Thanks!!!
I got the vehicles electrical system checked out and everything was fine as I was told. Got the battery checked and it wouldn't hold a charge. I got a new battery and thought that would be the end of it.
Well, almost exactly a year later, it started doing the same thing. At the time, I was using DieHard (Sears) batteries. I thought the problem might be with the batteries, so I went with another brand. I heard good things about Optima batteries and wanted a Yellow Top. But, I couldn't afford the $150 or whatever they were back then, so decided to give Costco batteries a try. I heard that they were ok for the price and they have a good warranty. I took my losses with the DieHard and went with Costco.
Just about a year later, the same thing happens. So, I take that battery back to Costco and get it exchanged for a new one, no problem. At this same time, I'm also realizing that the probelm is not so much with the batteries, but with the 4R. So, I first take it to the guy that has done all of the electrical work on the 4R and he finds nothing except a slight drain from the headunit which was wired constant. He put that on a switched circuit and it took care of that drain. I also mentioned it to my mechanic who has a couple of these 2nd Gen 4Rs and knows them inside out. He took a look at the stock system and couldn't find anything that could be causing that.
Sure enough, a year later, same thing. So, by then I thought maybe I just have too many accessories for these smaller stock size batteries to handle. I finally got what I wanted, an Optima Yellow Top. That was three years ago. After it made it past one year and then two, I thought maybe probelm solved. But no, that one went out on me this week. The Yellow Top made it three years and didn't start to show problems in the same way as the others. It would start up fine, but over the last couple of weeks, I noticed my lights getting dimmer and dimmer, especially at a stop and the voltage getting lower. Finally, a couple of nights ago going through the In 'n Out drive-thru, it dropped so low, it couldn't even power the amp. I tried to condition the battery once I pulled it and then charge and it charges fine, it just won't hold a charge.
So, for now, its back to the cheap Costco batteries. Just because they're warranted for 100 months with a 36 month free replacement, they're fairly inexpensive and there is no hastle when returning one. I was tempted to get another Yellow Top since Costco has them now. They have an 84 month warranty on them with a 36 month free replacement. But I figured I'd go the cheap route for now.
So, after all that, any ideas what could be causing this? I've searched and can't find anything. Also asked a few knowledgable people, and they can't really give me an answer. I do have a fairly good amount of aftermarket electronics in there (stereo with one amp a sub and components in the doors, fogs, cb, scanner, alarm). But I wouldn't think that could cause the batteries to prematurely die.
Thanks!!!
I have no idea whats wrong then. lol
Thanks!
