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Car Forum / Dodge / Dodge Cars / December 2005

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2002 Grand Caravan battery issue

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Steph - 12 Dec 2005 17:34 GMT
Twice in the last couple of weeks someone else using my van has gone to
start it and been unable. Engauging the starter only resulted in rapid
"clicks".

Attaching a battery booster both times easily started the car and all
was well.

Yesterday (the second time) I grabbed a volt-meter along with the
booster pack.  The battery was reading 10v at rest, and dropped nearly
to 9 under load.

I boosted it and the car started, drove it home and put it on a charger
-- where it drew 6-8 amps for a couple of hours.

This morning I checked it at rest in the cold before doing anything and
it read above 12v as it should.

With the engine running there is over 13v going across the terminals, so
the alternator etc. seem to be fine.

I was sure there was a bad cell in the battery (only 37 months old,
OEM), but then this morning seeing 12+V confuses me. Especially since my
wife had charged her cell phone overnight using the car battery, I had
expected it to read low again.

Thoughts?
And would it be worth exchanging for another MOPAR battery with whatever
proration credit or just go to my favorite battery store?
Adam - 12 Dec 2005 17:38 GMT
just goto someplace like walmart or autozone they offer free install
service, usually walmart is cheeper, but you will get a better quality and a
lifetime warranty at autozone.

> Twice in the last couple of weeks someone else using my van has gone to
> start it and been unable. Engauging the starter only resulted in rapid
[quoted text clipped - 24 lines]
> And would it be worth exchanging for another MOPAR battery with whatever
> proration credit or just go to my favorite battery store?
Steph - 12 Dec 2005 18:38 GMT
Actually I am perfectly capable of installing a battery and will use
Costco as their price is comparable and service is beyond either walmart
or autozone.

I was wondering if anyone knew the residual value of the OEM battery (38
months), and any other ideas on why it has twice run down so low. but
then in even on a cold morning appeared okay.

> just goto someplace like walmart or autozone they offer free install
> service, usually walmart is cheeper, but you will get a better quality
[quoted text clipped - 28 lines]
>> And would it be worth exchanging for another MOPAR battery with
>> whatever proration credit or just go to my favorite battery store?
harts@hotmail.com - 12 Dec 2005 22:19 GMT
There is no residual value on an oem battery. It is covered 12 months under
the basic warranty. then you are on your own. Get the Optima Redtop from
Costco. best price around. And the regular batteries are the same as the
other parts stores. There are only two main battery manufacturers. And they
are very similar in quality. But they are only lead/acid batteries anyway.
maxpower - 12 Dec 2005 20:32 GMT
> Twice in the last couple of weeks someone else using my van has gone to
> start it and been unable. Engauging the starter only resulted in rapid
[quoted text clipped - 24 lines]
> And would it be worth exchanging for another MOPAR battery with whatever
> proration credit or just go to my favorite battery store?

Have you taken the terminals off the battery to clean them? this could be
your only problem.

Glenn Beasley
Chrysler Tech
Steph - 12 Dec 2005 21:47 GMT
"maxpower" <damnnickname@yahoo.com> wrote in news:8sadnXj6
_ZBsQwDenZ2dnUVZ_tSdnZ2d@comcast.com:

>> Twice in the last couple of weeks someone else using my van has gone to
>> start it and been unable. Engauging the starter only resulted in rapid
[quoted text clipped - 30 lines]
> Glenn Beasley
> Chrysler Tech

Both (pos & neg) terminals are clean and tight.
maxpower - 13 Dec 2005 01:05 GMT
> "maxpower" <damnnickname@yahoo.com> wrote in news:8sadnXj6
> _ZBsQwDenZ2dnUVZ_tSdnZ2d@comcast.com:
[quoted text clipped - 45 lines]
>
> Both (pos & neg) terminals are clean and tight.

Replace the battery.

Glenn
 
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