LittleBef15

iTrader: (1)

I think I have a pretty good idea about this problem but still need some reassurance. I go to college and don't drive my car everyday. It is a 99 Hawk in case some of you don't know. I go out today and turn the key backwards to open my windows and then i turn the key off. I get out and look at something and then i get back in and I get a clicking. The battery gauge is barely above the 2 mark. I looked at the light on the battery and it is still green. All of a sudden, when i turn the key back off, the speedo and tach needles shoot up and back down. Is this the starter, battery or alternator? Thanks!

Nine Ball

iTrader: (38)

your battery is dead. Don't believe that stupid little green light, it rarely indicates anything. They tend to crap out around 35K miles.

LittleBef15

iTrader: (1)

That is what I thought...Good one minute and then the gauge is almost down to nothing. It says it isa 5 or 7 year battery so that would be about now. Any advice on a good battery to get that isn't too expensive?

99Hawk325

I used to swear by Sears Diehard batteries...but then I went through a couple that didn't last too long (my car & my wife's car).

The last battery I bought was for my '85 T/A and just went to Wal-Mart and bought a battery from there. It was around $40 but if it dies within the next 2 years, I can take it back and get it replaced for free (after that, it's pro-rated)...and since they're open 24 hours, if it dies at 2:00 am, I'm still covered...

But when my 'Hawk battery dies, I'll probably do a quick search to see what other people are using in their LS1's and get one of those <g>...

Good luck!

Tom

mySStery_machine

iTrader: (23)

Red top Optima is about $130 or so but worth it for the piece of mind. You can just jump yours and then get it load tested for free at a auto parts store to see if the core is still good. My battery lasted into 90K and clutch about 82K, just depends. Good luck.

Nine Ball

iTrader: (38)

I only by Interstate or Optima batteries. They cost more, but last longer and are more reliable.

SScreaminDemon

Same thing happend to me, its the battery.

mySStery_machine

iTrader: (23)

Plus, it's a good idea for the safety aspect with Optima.

99Hawk325

Did a quick search and found this thread:

https://ls1tech.com/forums/new-ls1-owners-newbie-tech/203297-batteries.html

Looks like the Red Top Optima has the most votes (3) followed by the Wal-Mart battery (2 including mine above) then Interstate (1). I'm not sure what you consider too expensive...

Good luck!

Tom

LittleBef15

iTrader: (1)

Ah I love this board You guys kick *** Now, all I need is a ride to Wally-World....good thing I don't drive my car much down at college. Still a slight problem though...my passenger window is only about 3/4 way up.

99Hawk325

Perhaps when your ride comes to pick you up, they can jump start your car so you can put your window up?


Let us know what happens!

LittleBef15

iTrader: (1)

So if I get it jumped, does that mean i still need a new battery? What is the best way to tell? My ride should be here in two hours. He was back home but he was leaving so we will fix it about 7:30 or so

99Hawk325

I'd go ahead and buy a new battery...Depending on when your car was made, the battery is probably 5-6 years old so I'd go ahead and replace it.

I've jump started cars and have been able to drive the car for a little bit but it's not a good feeling to be in the middle of nowhere with a dead battery so I'd go ahead and replace the battery.

But if you're able to jump start it, you'd be able to put the window up and lock it up while you go get your battery.


Tom

LittleBef15

iTrader: (1)

I went and got an Everstart Maxx battery from walmart with 9 yr warranty for 60 bucks. Is this ok?

mySStery_machine

iTrader: (23)

Not awful but remember, it's Wal Mart, not exactly where you would go to get all your high end products right? If you haven't yet installed it, that could be OK. Did you try the jump? If so, let it idle for a little bit to charge up that battery, better yet drive around and pick up some drive thru for you and your friend, this will do two things for you. 1. It will allow the battery to recharge, 2. You will keep your friend willing to help you in times like theses, and 3. Your friend is now a hostage, when you get home, shut down and go eat, before he leaves go out and try the car, if it doesn't start you have the cables to jump you or just go ahead and replace the battery. Once it is running just drive to Auto Zone or someplace like that and ask them to run a load test on your battery, while you are there get your peace of mind by having them test the alternator as well. If all comes back good, you should be fine. You can then return your battery for your starvin' college ***. I would try to hold off as long as possible and get some heavy deep cycle battery to take the worry away...like my original suggestion of a Optima red top. Good luck.

98boxer

iTrader: (7)

I bought a GM replacment car battery -acDelco- so far it's been realiable, cost was $120.

rdavis93

I've gone through 4 optima batteries in 2.5 years. 2 were b/c the ppl at Advanced Auto parts were morons though. The other 2 were from a light staying on 4 eva.

the great thing about them is the 3 year warranty though! I love the feeling of having a dead battery and getting a new one for free. A "person" I know wired his up backwards to some other garbage battery to kill it at the end of the 3 years to get a fresh one lol.