Battery Problems

[haux]

Starting about 8 months ago, I was experiencing a problem where my battery would die at a random time, and then everything would be ok for the next several weeks before it happened again. Essentially, everything would be working fine throughout the day, I get out of a store, and my battery would be dead. This happened for a few months, then everything was ok until a few weeks ago. If the temperature overnight is below the mid-70's, the battery will be dead in the morning. If it's upper 70's or 80's, it will work fine. When I initially started experiencing battery problems, I figured it may have been a problem with a cable going from my alternator to the battery. If the battery wasn't being charged enough due to a bad cable, that would have explained it. But, it was something that didn't happen constantly, so I wasn't sure. I've had my battery tested twice and both times they said it was ok. It's only a year-old battery and is supposed to work on cold-starts. Since the battery now doesn't hold a charge when it's below a certain temperature, I am starting to think it's been a problem with the battery all along. What do you guys think?

[LE05]

Originally Posted by haux

Starting about 8 months ago, I was experiencing a problem where my battery would die at a random time, and then everything would be ok for the next several weeks before it happened again. Essentially, everything would be working fine throughout the day, I get out of a store, and my battery would be dead. This happened for a few months, then everything was ok until a few weeks ago. If the temperature overnight is below the mid-70's, the battery will be dead in the morning. If it's upper 70's or 80's, it will work fine. When I initially started experiencing battery problems, I figured it may have been a problem with a cable going from my alternator to the battery. If the battery wasn't being charged enough due to a bad cable, that would have explained it. But, it was someone that didn't happen constantly, so I wasn't sure. I've had my battery tested twice and both times they said it was ok. It's only a year-old battery and is supposed to work on cold-starts. Since the battery now doesn't hold a charge when it's below a certain temperature, I am starting to think it's been a problem with the battery all along. What do you guys think?

simple solution... get a new battery! lol, clearly something is wrong with this one... i cannot think of anything that is not battery related that would drain it at certain temperatures. what kind of battery is it, and where did you get it tested? it should probably also have some kind of warranty on it...

[Delay_FTB]

I had this probalem after working some stuff with my batt. terminals.

Turned out to be a loose wire. Didn't notice it by just glancing at it or even looking at it straight on. One of the wires was touching most of the time, but would randomly come disconnected, like completely random. I couldn't imagine the temp. being the culprit here, but I guess you never know. Recheck your terminal connections (and grounds and stuff too). My problem-wire looked like it was connected, but when I moved it, it was obvious that it wasn't fully connected.

[haux]

I had my battery tested today at AutoZone and it failed the load test. I thought I bought it only a year ago from O'Reilly, but it turns out it was 2 years ago. In fact, it was 2 years ago this month so it was still covered under their 2-year replacement warranty. When I first began experiencing battery problems I had O'Reilly test it and when I had further problems later on I had Napa test it. Both times they said it was ok. This is how I was lead to believe it wasn't a battery issue. Especially since I was under the impression that I had only bought it a year ago.

In any case, I got a free new battery and all is well now.