Bad Battery

[Hmmm2]

I was at the gas station at noon today. Everything was fine. Get back in the H3 and .. click, click. I couldn't believe it. Click, click. People next to me start snickering, "Hummer won't start?" To make things worse, an H2 pulled up behind me. I motioned to him that the engine won't start. He wheels around me to another pump across the way. No wave, no nothing. The gas station had a garage, so they jumped the battery for me. I drove to the dealer and they put in a new one (under warranty). I have 17K on it. Isn't it a little too soon for a new battery?

[DURAMAX TIM]

Originally Posted by Hmmm3

Isn't it a little too soon for a new battery?

we got one the next day after we got it.

dealer trade and I'll bet the dealer stuck bad battery in it to pawn it off, the grille also had fine scratches in it.
looked like someone used a brillopad on it, dealer had a new one in stock and swapped it.

[Hmmm2]

Originally Posted by DURAMAX TIM

we got one the next day after we got it.

You must have been livid. The next day?!?! I've never had to replace a battery this soon. We also have a Jeep Grand Cherokee .. the first battery had lasted at least 3-4 years. Maybe it was luck?

[f5fstop]

Dead battery, day after delivery? Not uncommon, and it can be traced to the dealer's ineptness to do what they are supposed to do. They have been told they MUST go out and charge the batteries on the vehicles on the lot, but they don't. So, a vehicle sits on the lot, someone purchases one, they boost it the day of delivery, the customer goes home, battery goes dead.
Dealer is hoping it will last a month or two, because he is not reimbursed if a battery goes dead on a vehicle that has been in stock for a while (GM states it is their fault, and usually is.)

Battery going dead with 17K is not unusual in this day-and-age, and it is not only with GM (my Jeep's battery went dead very early too). In extreme hot areas the plates tend to short, in more moderate areas, they are just bad batteries.

[Hmmm2]

Originally Posted by f5fstop

Battery going dead with 17K is not unusual in this day-and-age, and it is not only with GM (my Jeep's battery went dead very early too). In extreme hot areas the plates tend to short, in more moderate areas, they are just bad batteries.

Thanks f5fstop.

[f5fstop]

I guess I should have said, "they are bad batteries," a little differently. I don't want it to sound like all batteries are bad in the vehicles, only those that fail. Car manufacturers from GM to Lexus to Heep, etc., use the bare minimum battery. All lead/acid batteries have problems in hot areas; more so than in cold areas.

[Hmmm2]

LOL, thanks f5fstop. I guess my battery must have lasted longer than most at 14 months since I don't live in a hot OR cold climate ... we're moderate here.

[DURAMAX TIM]

Originally Posted by Hmmm3

You must have been livid. The next day?!?! I've never had to replace a battery this soon. We also have a Jeep Grand Cherokee .. the first battery had lasted at least 3-4 years. Maybe it was luck?

I figure it was the trading dealer fault, just like the grille.

I wasn't happy, but being a GM employee, I know how they work.

my dealer is 55 miles away, and needed to go back the next day since GM gave us an extra $500 off and some more Ambassador money.

The new battery saved me $700, so can't complain tooooooo much.

[Hmmm2]

Originally Posted by DURAMAX TIM

The new battery saved me $700, so can't complain tooooooo much.

Wellll, yeahhhhhh, but, just the same, it's the PRINCIPLE of the whole thing, right?! ( )

[f5fstop]

I agree, but until the manufacturers start shipping vehicles with dry cells or at least very expensive batteries, this is something we will all live with. And just think, the 42 volt system is on the horizon.

[H3 Hummer]

about 15,000 mine went dead. Took it out charged it for two full daily cycles. Let it sit a couple days dead again. Piece o junk. Will get a new one for a spare next time I goto the dealership.

[Hal]

My battery died after 6 months and less than 7k miles. Definitly some bad ones out there.
This topic is not new to the forum.

[bigdog100]

Dead battery at 19k miles, dealer replaced under war.

[Desert Dan]

I didn't want a replacement of the same stock battery, so I went with an Optima Red Top.

No time to mess around or be stuck with a dead battery in the boonies.

I am going to drop of the dead Delco at the dealer nextime I am there. I'll also ask them to do an electrical draw test on the system.

[Hmmm2]

Originally Posted by Desert Dan

I am going to drop of the dead Delco at the dealer nextime I am there. I'll also ask them to do an electrical draw test on the system.

Dan, why don't you ask for a replacement for the dead one and just hold onto it as a spare? I think someone else here said they were going to do that, too.

[Desert Dan]

I thought of that, but a Spare for what though? my clock radio

I would prefer a credit towards some service?

[Hmmm2]

Originally Posted by Desert Dan

I thought of that, but a Spare for what though? my clock radio

I would prefer a credit towards some service?

Yeah, if they'll give you one, a credit toward another service makes more sense.