Thread: Weird battery issue

Ok, so I have a red top battery in the trunk and during spring/summer weather, I have no issues with it.

However, in freezing weather like I'm going through now, the battery is practically drained just over night; not enough to start the car.

I don't understand what/why the cold weather would drain the battery? Is it a sign it's getting old? I know it's at least 3-4 years old.

Thoughts?

Do u drive it daily? Had isses in the pass with red tops draining fast if its not being used

Could be a sign of it getting old or it could be improperly sized wires or not very good grounds. Colder temps means more resistance on the cables. I mean unless it starts just fine after jump starting or charging the battery, then if thats the case and you dont have any abnormal draw on the battery when the car is off then it could be its just getting old. My buddies optima red top lasted him 8 years before it finally bit the dust but not in freezing temps either.

just test the battery first. i work at an auto store and optimas kinda suck.... well as far as lasting a while with cold

This is my battery. The wiring is 1/0 gauge so I don't think it's that.



Not very good grounds could be a possiblity. Scraping off more paint could give better contact. I do drive it at least 5 days a week. Right now, I disconnect the battery overnight so it will have enough power to start in the morning. But I only have to do this during freezing months which is weird. But other than that, it always has enough power to start.

And yeah I've also heard optimas aren't getting very good ratings.

Well being where you have it grounded now is just the sheet metal I would definitely look for a place that is on the solid frame. Being most of the sheet metal is just tack welded or glued to the actual body of the car. You could run a large ground to a seat belt bolt connection and make sure the paint is off around it and another good place is the strut tower top bolt. Both of those places are well connected to the frame itself unlike that piece of sheet metal you have it attached to now.

But more than likely the battery is just weak as well. New battery with the combination of an additional ground or two to the frame itself you shouldnt have any problems.

Wow! That makes my trunk mount look like shit. Good job.

you battery is becoming weak. Temperature changes alter the specific gravity of the cells. Specific Gravity is essentially a measurement of the fluid's ability to store electrons.

oh ok perfect thanks. I'll look into replacing it.