re_guderian
SILVER Star
Well, took the 80 out with the wife and kids for the first wheeling trip since I bought it a few weeks ago. We went to a pretty close place (Saguaro Lake, for those Phx area listers). I have to say I was IMPRESSED. I am used to my '83 FJ60 (lifted, tires, but no lockers, and a carb float that never would...), and this new truck was SOOOO much better! Point-and-shoot wheeling! It's the first 4WD I've had with lockers, EFI, and an automatic. I'll get some pics up soon. Anway, an almost perfect day had a bad ending that leads to a few questions I have. We stopped at the top of the tallest hill in the area to enjoy the view for 15 minutes, and when we went to leave....no juice! Got out the multimeter and determined battery dead. Wait for someone to help jump. I was by myself, but in a pretty heavily used area. ATV passes by if a few minutes. Realize I left my jumper cables in the other car. See large cables from battery to winch that look like they'll do just fine. But...
1. The car idled really low after the jump, about 400 on the tach. Is this normal after a "reset" of the ECU from a dead battery? I went to turn on AC to up the RPM's took my foot off the gas and it died. No one around for another jump, so we start walking (can you say HOT?).
2. Get a ride and have friend bring back a new battery tonight. Still idles like crap, though as I get home and shut down/start up a few times, things seem to be getting better. What are normal time/miles to return to regular operation?
3. I took the optima in for a test to AutoZone, and they said 12.8V just sitting, but when load applied, down to 0 volts. Has anyone had an Optima Yellow top just up and die on them like this? Very disturbing. I don't know the age of the battery, but it gave no indication of low charge/charging issues immediately prior to it's last shutdown. Then just dead.
4. No way to push start an automatic, is there? Don't think so, but thought I'd ask...
It was bad enough as it was, but at least there were people around. But this type of failure could happen anywhere, wheeling or not, familly or not, close or not. Don't think I'll be getting another Optima anytime soon. I AM, however, now very interested in a dual battery setup. I will be spending some time in the archives learning about this.
1. The car idled really low after the jump, about 400 on the tach. Is this normal after a "reset" of the ECU from a dead battery? I went to turn on AC to up the RPM's took my foot off the gas and it died. No one around for another jump, so we start walking (can you say HOT?).
2. Get a ride and have friend bring back a new battery tonight. Still idles like crap, though as I get home and shut down/start up a few times, things seem to be getting better. What are normal time/miles to return to regular operation?
3. I took the optima in for a test to AutoZone, and they said 12.8V just sitting, but when load applied, down to 0 volts. Has anyone had an Optima Yellow top just up and die on them like this? Very disturbing. I don't know the age of the battery, but it gave no indication of low charge/charging issues immediately prior to it's last shutdown. Then just dead.
4. No way to push start an automatic, is there? Don't think so, but thought I'd ask...
It was bad enough as it was, but at least there were people around. But this type of failure could happen anywhere, wheeling or not, familly or not, close or not. Don't think I'll be getting another Optima anytime soon. I AM, however, now very interested in a dual battery setup. I will be spending some time in the archives learning about this.