Bad Battery?

ByByBMW · #1 (**permalink**) 12-01-07, 12:00 AM

Bought an '07, loaded, this last August. Have had no problems until recently...In the last two weeks, the battery has died unexpectedly twice. On the second occasion, tonight, the car was running at idle when it suddenly died unexpectedly. Upon trying to restart, no go, yet all the lights work, dash lights, etc. My suspicion is a bad cell. A jump gets the car going and no codes are set.

Given all this, is there any ideas anybody has? And yes, am going to take it to the dealer on Monday.

LS1Mike · #2 (**permalink**) 12-01-07, 12:25 AM

Sounds like a bad battery to me, now I am not sure if the 03 and 07 have the same charging system, but mine was doing the same damn thing, put a new battery in it and viola sucess!

z06bigbird · #3 (**permalink**) 12-01-07, 12:32 AM

1. GM cars have AC Delco batteries.
2. Several years ago, those batteries were known for not regaining full strength after a partial/total discharge.
3. I believe GM resolved those problems, but...
4. New cars sit on dealer lots for many many months. If dealer does not start cars regularly, the battery will lose charge. Parasitic effect (on all brands of cars).
5. If battery totally fails, GM will not replace battery for dealer since dealer needs to show proof that he/she has plan to maintain new car batteries. As a result, dealer can send you home with a weak battery. If you come back the next day, GM will pay for a new batt. Prior to sale, GM will not replace batt.
6. In my opinion, you likely had a weak batt. Dealer will now replace it at no charge to you.

I use a trickle charge on my Caddies and my Trans Am once or twice per week. Charging batt while running car and driving is not good for new alternators. It frankly can burn them up. Parasitic effect is what causes batts to lose charge.

All manufact have this problem.

ByByBMW · #4 (**permalink**) 12-02-07, 11:27 AM

I'll take her in tomorrow and see what the dealer says. Wish me luck.

bracester · #5 (**permalink**) 12-02-07, 05:54 PM

Just go buy you a new yellow top optima battery if it is that

ByByBMW · #6 (**permalink**) 12-03-07, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bracester

Just go buy you a new yellow top optima battery if it is that

That is my plan if they won't replace the battery. Do you have the Optima model # perchance?

LS1Mike · #7 (**permalink**) 12-03-07, 10:16 PM

So? What did you find out?

bracester · #8 (**permalink**) 12-03-07, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ByByBMW

That is my plan if they won't replace the battery. Do you have the Optima model # perchance?

I just went to Sams and bought the yellow top they had there. It will work with GM models and imports too. I think it was around $120

Chief_AT · #9 (**permalink**) 12-04-07, 08:50 AM

The Optima site shows no battery for the CTS - due to the posts on top. What model yellow-top did you get to fit in the CTS?

bracester · #10 (**permalink**) 12-04-07, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chief_AT

The Optima site shows no battery for the CTS - due to the posts on top. What model yellow-top did you get to fit in the CTS?

At Sams or your local retailer they have the post AND the GM front mounted posts...the optima yellow comes like this its a little more expensive but it will fit any car...I just bought it and installed it...simple as that. Yes Optima's website doesn't show a model to be used with the CTS but again it didn't show it for my TC, Accord, or my Acura TL. Their website is out of date. Just get one with the dual posts for all makes and you'll be fine