[choigilligan]

Haven't used my V for 2 months, the 7 feet of snow here in MA is not helping, battery is dead.

Question, can I just jump the battery and run it for a while, then hook it up to a trickle charger.

If so, anybody have one they recommend. If I need a new battery, should I go OEM, or does it make sense to upgrade.

I know I should have had it on a trickle charger in the first place......:banghead:

 

[jedhead]

I would jump the battery and hook up a trickle charger. I replaced my OEM with a Optima Red Top. It cost only $15 dollars more than stock and IMHO a better battery. One downside is that the post don't match up on the battery cover holes.

Bob

 

[PwdrCtr]

I don't drive mine in the winter. and for the first time, a month or two ago, I noticed my battery was dead every couple weeks. Since it's an '06 with the original and 24k miles, I figured I would just replace it. I got the Optima red top #78 and it fit fine. You need the #78, just 78, no dash anything (ex 78-xx). The posts line up perfectly. I think it's a hair taller so the cover is a little tricky to put back on, but it does fit. It holds a charge just fine now, no matter how long I leave it between "starts". I got mine at Advance when they had an online coupon.

BTW, There is another "Battery" thread that spells all this out. I recommend searching for it. It has pictures and everything. Good Luck!

Dave

 

[PGA2B]

There is a computer flash that will take care of it. Check with your dealership to make sure you have the latest Operating System and updates on your ECM and TCM.

 

[choigilligan]

There is a computer flash that will take care of it. Check with your dealership to make sure you have the latest Operating System and updates on your ECM and TCM.

What do you mean, take care of the dead battery? Will I have to reflash my whole system after I jump my car?

 

[Cataract]

There is a computer flash that will take care of it. Check with your dealership to make sure you have the latest Operating System and updates on your ECM and TCM.

It will help keep the battery from dying? Interesting..

 

[choigilligan]

Just an update in case this happens to anybody else, I went and bought an automatic trickle charger from AutoZone, hooked it up (it took about 2 days to charge) and it started right up.

Probably the best 23 bucks I spent, especially for people who don't drive their cars for weeks at a time.

 

[CMNTMXR57]

Make sure that trickle charger has some form of a "smart charge" mechanism or other system that allows it to "float" the charge. A constant 2v charge 24/7 is just as damaging to a battery as continually draining it. I use two Black and Decker SmartChargers. One on the GTO, and another that I cycle between a couple of spare batteries for other vehicles I have. These chargers use that smart system to only run the trickle charge when it senses a decrease in battery voltage, and then shuts off once it tops it off. It repeats this cycle as needed.

 

[silverws6ta]

See my last two replies in the below thread -- this will answer many of questions for everyone

http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/cadillac-sts-v-series-forum/220792-battery.html

Thanks
Cale