Start-up problems

[Bullet]

All right I have had this problem happen twice in four months and would really like it to go away before the next trail ride.

Jeep is a 2000XJ with a 1.5 year old red top Optima in it.

I get in my Jeep after having not driven in it in 9 or so hours and it barely turns over. Very, very slow like a dying battery.

It did finally catch both times and started but then I have to keep the gas peddle pushed down for a few minutes. If I remove my foot the engine will immediatly die.

After five or six minutes it finally ran OK.

Any ideas

 

[massxj]

iv been hearing a lot of people having trouble with the red tops. try a new bat.  maybee just a refurbished  one from interstate.  of it could be a bad starter  i had a new starter  on  a ford pick up that would pull almost 300 amps  :swear_mad: and other times would spin just fine

 

[NomadJeep]

Do a load test on the battery. (I have one)


Even though the Optima does not have a memory (drain memory) often people don't start off with a full charge.  And then expect the Alternator to charge it completely back up.

 

[DonnyG]

Same Jeep, Same Battery.  Just do what I do.  Start it up...........Then commute for an hour!!!!


You rotten, no good, 5 minute commuters!!!!  I hate you all!!!!!!!!!!!! :swear_mad: :swear_mad: :swear_mad: :swear_mad: :swear_mad: :mrgreen:

 

[JeepinMaxx]

Mopar ECU's have issues with voltage.  If the voltage drops below around 11.5v - they don't provide enough voltage to the coil.  I've had problems with my Dakota.  If you get a jump start- it will run as long as you have the RPM's up.  Let it idle - it dies.  (same thing happened on my YJ and our old XJ, and even the KJ)

Try charging the Optima on a charger outside of the Jeep.  Check the voltage fully charged and wait a day and check it again- if the voltage drops by 1 or 2v.  The battery is spent.  Also feel the battery during charge for temperature.  My red top got hot to the touch when it failed (couldn't keep my hand on it for longer than a few seconds)

Good luck

 

[NomadJeep]

if you need a load tester, or battery charger, let me know...


Also when you check for the voltage drop, dont leave it on the ground or cement.  very slowly drain.

 

[CrzyFrlssJeep]

Spiral cell batteries should only be charged with a trickle charger or 2 amps max. battery charger otherwise the plates inside burn up and it won't hold a charge anymore.

Got that info from a sales rep. for Optima.

 

[bobnoxious]

Spiral cell batteries should only be charged with a trickle charger or 2 amps max. battery charger otherwise the plates inside burn up and it won't hold a charge anymore.

Got that info from a sales rep. for Optima.

That's just for charging with a charger after completely dead...your alternator puts out more than that.

 

[jmazz]

all this battery talk reminds me of the time i stuck my tongue to a 9v battery..... :afro:

 

[jmazz]

but my two cents would have to wonder if maybe you have a drain somewhere?.... my cherokee killed a brandnew battery after sitting for a week, until i realized there was a drain, im stilll in the process of locating the drain, but for now i just disconnect the battery when i let it sit........ :2cents:

 

[tjcoastie20]

if you need a load tester, or battery charger, let me know...


Also when you check for the voltage drop, dont leave it on the ground or cement.   very slowly drain.

if the battery is dry  (on the outside) it will not drain on concrete.  everybody says that about concrete and batteries but. I have yet to have this proven to me.  I always keep my batteries on concrete at work never had a problem. I would love to see mythbusters do this one, or have they?  :2cents: