Need new battery?

**generik777** · 05-19-2008 03:41 PM

Well lately if I sit in the car with the engine off but the radio on my, battery drains really quickly. The other day I did this for about 30mins while waiting for someone in the store and my car barely started. As soon as the car starts thought the voltage needle goes right back up to where it should be. So I'm guessing I need a new battery. Right now I have a DieHard 31248 battery in it but can't seem to find this battery anywhere online, What would be a good replacement battery? All it would be running is a stock stereo, XM radio, Harman/Kardon drive + Play ipod thing, And a Valentine 1. Also I noticed there is a little wire coming off the front of the battery I have now, It may be a dumb question, but what is this wire for? Thanx

**erikas3** · 05-19-2008 03:42 PM

Originally Posted by generik777

Well lately if I sit in the car with the engine off but the radio on my, battery drains really quickly. The other day I did this for about 30mins while waiting for someone in the store and my car barely started. As soon as the car starts thought the voltage needle goes right back up to where it should be. So I'm guessing I need a new battery. Right now I have a DieHard 31248 battery in it but can't seem to find this battery anywhere online, What would be a good replacement battery? All it would be running is a stock stereo, XM radio, Harman/Kardon drive + Play ipod thing, And a Valentine 1. Also I noticed there is a little wire coming off the front of the battery I have now, It may be a dumb question, but what is this wire for? Thanx

By the wire in the front, do you mean the breather hose?
I have an interstate battery that came with the car and its holding pretty good.

**generik777** · 05-19-2008 03:51 PM

Originally Posted by erikas3

By the wire in the front, do you mean the breather hose?
I have an interstate battery that came with the car and its holding pretty good.

Yeah thats probably what it was, LOL. Anyways after I've been looking around and I think the 33348 replaced the 31248, but it has horrible reviews. Anyone that has any input on a good battery please let me know.

**generik777** · 05-19-2008 04:01 PM

Anyone have any experience with optima batteries? I'm looking at the redtop one.

**Seerlah** · 05-19-2008 04:09 PM

Just don't use electronics in your car with the ignition off. Your battery should be holding ~12 volts of charge for it to be considered not need of replacement. When the car is running, you should be ~14+ volts. What you can do is stop using the electronics on your car with the engine off and let the alternator do it's job. If you have a volt meter, check how much voltage your battery has with the engine off. You really would not need a new battery if you let the alternator charge the battery so it does not hold below 12 volts, what it should be.

But if you do decide on a new battery, here is a list of direct fit replacements. And here is a good write up. But the write up says you need ~12.5 charge. That is not 100% accurate because when my alternator called it quits on me I was able to crank my engine with less than 12 volts and still drive it to the shop on the battery. And I still have the same battery with a system in the trunk. Back to ~14+ volts driving.

**generik777** · 05-23-2008 05:57 PM

Well I went and bought a multimeter and check ed the voltage at the battery. With the engine off it was just over 12volts, and with the engine on it was at 13volts. Should the voltage not be higher with the engine on?

**Seerlah** · 05-23-2008 06:34 PM

It should be a little over 14 volts with the car running. Sounds more like an alternator issue. But I am no expert, so I stop here. Maybe another will chimmey in to grant some more advice. There has to be a way to check your alternator, because that seems to be the issue.

EDit: Your battery is just fine. It seems more of an alternator issue than anything. If you needed a new battery, your cluster would have given you a warning light as soon as your battery dropped below 12 volts (I believe that is what the warning light is set for).

**generik777** · 05-23-2008 09:50 PM

Originally Posted by Seerlah

It should be a little over 14 volts with the car running.

Yeah that's what I was thinking. I did go for a drive a little while ago and it almost got to 14 but not quite, And I had everything off as well.

**Seerlah** · 05-24-2008 03:40 AM

Get your alternator checked (then replaced if needed). That is more than likely the problem. I had mine replaced maybe 2 months ago when it decided to go to sleep.

**generik777** · 05-24-2008 11:04 AM

I'll do that. Are they pretty easy to replace yourself?

**Seerlah** · 05-24-2008 11:47 AM

You need to check the one on your car for the amperage and if it is Bosch or Valeo. I myself have a 120 amp valeo I believe. I think they come in 90 or 120 amp Bosch or Valeo factory. The dealership may know which one you have, but more than likely will not but tell you what I just did. You will have to check on the alternator on your car itself.

As for installation, I am no expert so I don't know. I think you will have to remove front bumper, loosen radiator (for room to get to alternator), then it should be a swap. But don't quote me on that.

**tamadrumr88** · 05-24-2008 12:48 PM

That's odd... I have my original battery and the manufacture date is Apr 1998. I should probably replace it so I don't get stranded somewhere but I'd really like to find out just how long it's going to last