Not the starter! Just needed a little distilled water!

[corleykj]

The other morning my 1999 LC with 170K wouldn't start. Of course it didn't even turn over slow like a dead battery, so I assumed the worst...starter or starter contacts, because one miraculous time I got it started the battery gauge read pretty high. I didn't have time to work on the car and dive into the starter, but a good friend of mine suggested adding water to increase the level of the battery cells or whatever...and I did....it took a half gallon of water....AND STARTED RIGHT UP! I haven't had any intermittent starting problems since. Just $1 in distilled water.

Anyone else have this issue and it was just the battery, but acted like the starter.

 

[04UZJ100]

Are you on the original panasonic battery?

 

[super90]

Also, check the voltage meter on the dash, as it will tell you the battery voltage when the engine is off and the output of the alternator when the truck is running. It helps you troubleshoot. I bet it read less than 12v when you put the key in before you tried to start.

 

[corleykj]

Are you on the original panasonic battery?

I will check if it is the original panasonic battery. I tried finding info on it and had a hard time.

 

[APKhaos]

If it is the original 1999 battery I'm sure the Smithsonian would want it in their collection of miraculous mechanical marvels, especially given its been run with almost no electrolyte for at least some of its life.

 

[corleykj]

I don't think the battery is original. I think it is a dura last. It hasn't let me down since re filling the cells.
Thanks all.