Bad Battery

hlcptrdave · Jan 10, 2001

I've stored my 99 NBTDI for the winter in the garage. Lucky me to have a beater pick-up for the winter salt and sand. I usually start the car every two weeks to run the engine and charge the battery. To my surprise, the battery can't hold its charge for more than a week. I checked to see if I left the radio on or any lights, but everything is off. Seems rather premature for a failed battery.

redtdi96 · Jan 10, 2001

get a cut off battery switch (disconnect)

hlcptrdave · Jan 10, 2001

I thought about that. I'm trying out a trickle charger. Still, the battery should hang in there without doing much to it. The garage doesn't get much colder than 0`C. How much draw does the radio, clock and CD changer have on the battery, Enough to drain it?

truman · Jan 10, 2001

New battery would be my choice and then trickle charge if that doesn't solve it. Cutoff switch will cause other problems.

Gary Miyakawa · Jan 10, 2001

I hate to ask this, but have you check the battery for fluid?? All cells ?? My '98 NB TDI was almost empty from fluid... The factory batteries are NOT maintenance free.... I just switched to a yellow top Optima...

Gary

Ted Strong · Jan 11, 2001

I agree that you should check your fluid level. The factory batteries need fluid added regularly.

Ted

hlcptrdave · Jan 11, 2001

I should have thought of that myself. Basic Battery Maintenance 101.I guess I'm used to the just look, no touch batteries in our other cars. I'll take a look when I get home and empty out the iron if I have to. Thanks guys.

valois · Jan 11, 2001

Ever wonder where that fluid is going? Some of it vaporizes for sure, but these batteries seem prone to boiling over.

truman · Jan 12, 2001

If this is the original battery- it was of poor quality to begin with. Get rid of and save yourself some grief. A $40 Walmart battery is a whole lot better.

hlcptrdave · Jan 12, 2001

Well, it looks like I'll have to bite the bullit. Water levels in the battery were fine. So, I'm on the hunt for a new one, and better quality too. Thanks for your suggestions. Cheers.

tomo366 · Jan 13, 2001

Orange top Optima truly maintenance free! and is 850 CCA 125.00 Batteries +

boxerdog · Jan 13, 2001

cant go wrong with interstate batteries,reasonably priced, good warranties in canada and the US.

hlcptrdave · Jan 14, 2001

I'm leaning towards the Optima. There's two dealers close to me, and it looks like a very good product. I don't mind spending the extra cash for no worries driving.
Did a search of past postings and there are quite a few dead battery happenings. How convenient for an original battery to wimp out just past warranty. After relay 109, this could probably be the second achilles heel for this car.

Bad Battery

hlcptrdave

Active member

redtdi96

Veteran Member

hlcptrdave

Active member

truman

Top Post Dawg

Gary Miyakawa

Admin Emeritus

Ted Strong

Veteran Member

hlcptrdave

Active member

valois

Banned

truman

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hlcptrdave

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tomo366

TDI Lifer, Member #68

boxerdog

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hlcptrdave

Active member