dead battery, please confirm

[phxtlc]

So my wife picks me up fom the airport, I walk out and the truck is dead. She says the light dimmed, volts dropped, etc. After the two nice gentlemen with machine guns got the airport tow truck to come by we jumped it off and it drove home fine. (to gilbert) This is the second time the battery went dead in the past month or so. I'm figuring it's got a bad cell that get's picky when it get's hot. Of course I drive it past Sears (it's a Diehard, about 2.5 years old) and they plug their stupid hand meter on to it and say "it's fine" and of course the company line "bet it's the alternator" I explain to them that the battery was totally dead at the airport I jump it and magically it drives 20 miles with a "bad alternator" and that it's driven fine for a month even though the battery died twice. And that it's putting the correct voltage out (confirmed by their meter).

1. Does my diagnosis sound correct?
2. To get my prorated $$$ I guess I have to get them to check each cell?
3. What is the largest "series" I can use?
4. Who's got the best deals on Intersate if Sears continues to be a PIA?

Thanks

 

[-Spike-]

The alternator can be working intermittantly, but a you should get a light on the dash if it's acting up. The battery needs to be tested with a load- which the Sears guy should know. Take it to AutoZone or similar and have them test the system, then go beat up Sears if the battery is junk.

-Spike

 

[phxtlc]

The alternator can be working intermittantly, but a you should get a light on the dash if it's acting up. The battery needs to be tested with a load- which the Sears guy should know. Take it to AutoZone or similar and have them test the system, then go beat up Sears if the battery is junk.

-Spike

No light for alternator, volts look good typically. She had sat in traffic at terminal 4 and battery seemed hot. Also looks like it's spitting a bit around the cap.

 

[BMAN]

arc the battery terminals together for 20 minutes or so and then take it to sears for them to test. they'll prorate it then.

 

[Tools R Us]

arc the battery terminals together for 20 minutes or so and then take it to sears for them to test. they'll prorate it then.

Be careful, there can be some unintended consequences associated with that!

I have a Midtronics charging/starting/battery analyzer. If you run the truck by the shop, we can see if it will shed any light?

 

[phxtlc]

Brought it by Superstition Springs instead and suprise their machine says the battery's bad. 10 minutes later new battery for free. Now I'm going back to Chandler showing them the other receipt and then proceed to beat their @#$

 

[BMAN]

Be careful, there can be some unintended consequences associated with that!
...QUOTE]

Missed the sarcasm eh?

 

[hj60]

As a former member of Sears' Professional Battery Service Team, I can tell you that those testers suck.
(Now I'll prolly get sued.) And they pay $6.50/hour, plus $1 per battery they test. Warranty batteries don't pay the commission.
Me personally, I always sided with the customer. Around the time I left (3+ years ago) Corporate decided to audit PHX area stores. We had to fully charge all batteries and load test them again on a different machine. A few came back as good.
No battery lasts more than a couple years here anyways.
If it has caps on the cells, check the H2O level. Sears'll tell you never to add water. They also don't really check to see if you do.

 

[BMAN]

As a former member of Sears' Professional Battery Service Team, I can tell you that those testers suck.
(Now I'll prolly get sued.) And they pay $6.50/hour, plus $1 per battery they test. Warranty batteries don't pay the commission.
Me personally, I always sided with the customer. Around the time I left (3+ years ago) Corporate decided to audit PHX area stores. We had to fully charge all batteries and load test them again on a different machine. A few came back as good.
No battery lasts more than a couple years here anyways.
If it has caps on the cells, check the H2O level. Sears'll tell you never to add water. They also don't really check to see if you do.

I say you're wrong. This may be true for your run of the mill lead acid battery but the Red top Optima in my Tacoma is rocking it's 15th year of faithfull service. An oddity I admit but Optimas have always done right by me with many years of service, and I'll likely not be buying anything other than Optimas for years to come.

 

[hj60]

Yes, you are correct.
But we sold Optimas, too. Many of them got warrantied out too.
A properly maintained Optima can last a decade or more, but most people don't maintain their batteries.
If your vehicle sits for any amount of time, a solar battery minder is a great investment. My 60 reminded me last weekend that I need to invest in one.