b77 308 Dead Electrical problem

Hi,

Well here are some recent events:

1. I disconnected my Neg battery terminal and cleaned (one by one) the fuses/fusebox connectors.

2. My battery is one year old and went through our brutally cold winter here in Connecticut without a problem - never showed any signs of discharging and was connected all winter without any problems.

3. I reconnected the battery today and went to start the car. Fuel pump running strong, all lights and accesories work just fine. When I turn the key to engage starter - nothing! The first attempt, I heard the started try to spin (very softly). Next attempt, nothing. I just started the car last week without a problem.

4.I cleaned the battery cables/connectors and chassis ground.

I am going to measure the voltage with my meter tonight. I just think it is quite a coincidence that after I disconnect the battery to clean the fuse box, it decides to die.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Anthony

Anthony,

sounds like a battery charge would be the first thing to do, just in case that may be the issue.

After a full charge take the battery in for a load test. A partially shorted battery can deliver voltage but quits when there is a demand for amperage.

The reason I say this is because you mentioned brutally cold tempuratures. Batteries can freeze when allowed to become cold soaked which then expands the case and shifts plates within the battery. This can allow spacers to drop out of the plates and allow shorting.

Thats what happened to me on a battery that was 2 years old.

DJ

Thanks, guys. Tonight I will try to get my meter out and will charge overnight and perform a load test....I'll keep you posted!

Anthony

My battery was just over 11 volts. I then started with headlights on (to see if in fact it is a battery problem) - headlights went out (so did the fuel pump). i'll charge battery tonight.....

Thanks,
Anthony

Not sure if it is the case here, but I can't count the number of times I've heard putting a new battery in a Ferrari cured all kinds of ills....

I finally installed a new Optima in mine. The old one was still performing well but on the really hot days would purge water out the vents. Not much but as far as I'm concerned ANY is too much. From now on I have decided to swear off wet cell batteries. I have seen too much damage caused by them.

DJ

DJ,

exactly which Optima red top model did you get? What is the Ah rating?

Anthony

Anthony,

the Yellow tops are for cars without exotic stereos.

They only have 1 or 2 sizes to choose from. Look at a part # Yell/34-78 and see how it fits.

Regards, JRV

Thanks, I thought the yellow top was a deep cycle marine battery? I'll check it out...

Thanks,

Anthony