• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Do I need a new battery?

DVad3r

DVad3r

Diamond Member
Hey guys,

Today in the morning when I when I went to start my car, it took a while cranking slowly and finally caught on, making a weird noise, like it was spluttering. I gave it some gas and it was fine after that.

I think the battery finally might be dead.

It's still the original battery, and the car is a 2001 Lexus ES 300.

What do you guys think?
 
that doesn't sound like a battery problem but something further down the line. You can always take it to autozone or w/e chain car place and have them check out the battery (usually for free) and rule that out (or in) as the problem. Is it showing a CEL?

edit: lol i missed the 2001
 
Last edited:
Get a battery and make it real soon. You had the warning sign this morning. Tomorrow you may need to jump it to get it started.

Ten years on a battery is phenomenal.
 
boomerang said:
Get a battery and make it real soon. You had the warning sign this morning. Tomorrow you may need to jump it to get it started.

Ten years on a battery is phenomenal.
Click to expand...

Yea that's what I'm thinking. My fuel economy has dropped slightly over the past year, I am thinking it's due to the battery not keeping charge and the alternator working all the time. Does that make any sense?

I googled around and batteries usually last between 3-5 years. I am guessing 10 is pushing it lol.
 
Ten years on a battery is very good. Count yourself lucky and pick up a replacement. I would suggest Costco, after the core charge refund you're looking at around $65-70, a little more if you want them to install it. Don't go crazy about brands, almost all of them are made by Johnson Controls regardless of where you buy it or the name printed on the cover.
 
Battery is likely on it's last legs. But you also mentioned sputtering and bad fuel economy. I would suggest you change the Fuel Filter, run some Fuel Injector cleaner for a tank and possibly consider some gas antifreeze to add to the tank since you are in a very cold climate. And be sure your battery cables are clean and tight, and check the alternator is putting out about +14VDC at around 1200RPM or so.
 
You do need a new battery simply due to the age. Whether it is related to your problem is what you'll find out after you replace the battery.
 
I will buy a new battery tomorrow. Going to get an AC Delco most likely as my dad said he has pretty good experiences with that brand.

The battery is definitely dead. We plugged a charged into it, and the battery charged really fast to 100 %, a sure indicator there is just no deep charge left.

Going to also try the suggestions bruceb offered. My fuel economy isn't that bad, it's barely noticeble, and maybe the fuel filter does need to be replaced. Would that be an expensive/complicated job?
 
Air filters cost between 20-50 bucks, and you can change them yourself. Can look in the manual for how to pop the box cover off, then all you have to do is pick up the old one and put in the new one. Might as well check it before you buy a new one, if it's clean then it's probably fine, dirty then get a new one. Usually dealerships replace them at service intervals anyway.
 
^ Yea the air filter wasn't the problem 😛

Anyways, I changed the battery and my car seems to be performing better. I am guessing the alternator has been constantly on charging for the past year at least. Still, almost 11 years out a battery is good shit 😛

I ended up buying a pro series AC Delco, ran me 160 bucks here in Canada. It is the 7 year model.
 
JulesMaximus said:
I have almost 3 years and 14,000 miles on my motorcycle battery...wondering if I should replace it.
Click to expand...

I dunno. I have around the same mileage on my bike and it's 1.5 years old. I use a tender to keep it charged most of the time, I think that helps extend the life. I think you are good for at least another 2 😛
 
I've had a battery tender on the generator since the battery was new. It will be 7 years old this next April and it's still going strong.
 
boomerang said:
I've had a battery tender on the generator since the battery was new. It will be 7 years old this next April and it's still going strong.
Click to expand...

You mean like an emergency backup generator with electric start?

I don't know that I'd trust such an old battery for something like that.

I wonder if a load test would show that it's "going strong". :biggrin:

Even if it also has a pull starter, that can be a bitch sometimes. Those pull starters that sit forever will fail you when you finally try to use them.

I take it you are prepared though?
 
LTC8K6 said:
You mean like an emergency backup generator with electric start?

I don't know that I'd trust such an old battery for something like that.

I wonder if a load test would show that it's "going strong". :biggrin:

Even if it also has a pull starter, that can be a bitch sometimes. Those pull starters that sit forever will fail you when you finally try to use them.

I take it you are prepared though?
Click to expand...
It's not a standby generator but it's far from portable. 7500 Watts on wheels and it's so heavy you can barely wheel it around.

It's turned over and started every time I've needed to use it. If the day comes when it won't crank over, I'll put a new battery in it. I got seven years out of this same battery (make and model) that was in my lawn tractor. No battery tender on it as there's no electricity in the shed but I do take it inside over the winter.

The problem with the recoil on this thing is that it must build up oil pressure before it will fire so you have to pull it quite a few times.
 
DVad3r said:
I dunno. I have around the same mileage on my bike and it's 1.5 years old. I use a tender to keep it charged most of the time, I think that helps extend the life. I think you are good for at least another 2 😛
Click to expand...

Doing the math it's actually 2.5 years. I bought it new in April 2008. 😛

It is garaged every night and I ride it a couple times a week usually.
 
boomerang said:
It's not a standby generator but it's far from portable. 7500 Watts on wheels and it's so heavy you can barely wheel it around.

It's turned over and started every time I've needed to use it. If the day comes when it won't crank over, I'll put a new battery in it. I got seven years out of this same battery (make and model) that was in my lawn tractor. No battery tender on it as there's no electricity in the shed but I do take it inside over the winter.

The problem with the recoil on this thing is that it must build up oil pressure before it will fire so you have to pull it quite a few times.
Click to expand...

What if that day is an emergency and you can't get out to get a new battery? 😀
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top