battery probs

[kjweston]

I have a red top optima that is less than 6 months old and almost everyday but not every time I go to start her up it just does nothing not even "click click click".. I turn the key all the way and it does absolutely nothing anywhere from 2 to 6 times. It eventually starts but its getting worse. I've read on here about the battery temp sensor that tells the alternator to charge battery? My battery isn't flush in the battery tray. Should I cut tray? I also have a 1000w amp pushing two 10" audiobahn competition subs.. draining too much power??

sorry so long. Thanks in advance, Chase

 

[kj924]

Sounds like a bad connection/ground. Try gholding the key on for a few seconds and see if it turns over....after a few tries, the battery should be worse and not even start it.

 

[kb0nly]

I think there is more to this then the battery...

The next time it does this grab a voltmeter and check the battery voltage before you jump it or whatever you end up doing to get it running again, you didn't mention so i assume you have to jump start it?

But if your saying that you keep turning the key and then it works you might actually have a bad ignition switch, or solenoid or starter.

When you get one of these times that it won't start does everything still come on when you turn the ignition to the on position? That means the battery isn't dead and the start position of your switch may have a problem.

 

[kjweston]

Kb0nly.. yeah.. after a few times of turning it it does turn over and start. I haven't jumped it since the previous battery died which made me buy this one.. and yes when I turn it all the way everything comes on just no starter clicking..


KJ924.. bad ground with battery or possibly starter? there's no corrosion on my terminals. the battery hasn't been in for very long at all.

.. so the tray temp sensor has no effect?

 

[kjweston]

it seems like but I could be wrong it happens more often if it has been sitting out in the sun. could have no correlation though

 

[kj924]

Kb0nly.. yeah.. after a few times of turning it it does turn over and start. I haven't jumped it since the previous battery died which made me buy this one.. and yes when I turn it all the way everything comes on just no starter clicking..


KJ924.. bad ground with battery or possibly starter? there's no corrosion on my terminals. the battery hasn't been in for very long at all.

.. so the tray temp sensor has no effect?

Corrosion may not be there, but it still could be a bad connection. Like I said, hold the key on to the start position for 30 secs...if it doesn't turn over, jump out and touch the battery cables to see if pos/neg is hot...be carefull it just may be. If it does start to turn over with the key held on, then there is a good chance it is a connection prob.

 

[kjweston]

Corrosion may not be there, but it still could be a bad connection. Like I said, hold the key on to the start position for 30 secs...if it doesn't turn over, jump out and touch the battery cables to see if pos/neg is hot...be carefull it just may be. If it does start to turn over with the key held on, then there is a good chance it is a connection prob.

ok. ill have to wait until next time it decides to do this. i just went out started right up.. checked codes its spitting P1491, P0500 I know 1491 is my fan relay but that went on first time I went mudding 0500 is the new one.

 

[kb0nly]

P0500 is Vehicle Speed Sensor...

Your speedometer working??

 

[kj924]

ok. ill have to wait until next time it decides to do this. i just went out started right up.. checked codes its spitting P1491, P0500 I know 1491 is my fan relay but that went on first time I went mudding 0500 is the new one.

Well that tells me that the battery is probably good, otherwise it would do it on a regular basis.

 

[kjweston]

nope lol

 

[kjweston]

The harness on the top of my rear diff has something wrong with it. I'm pretty sure that's the speed sensor. Driving one day all of the sudden my speedo started freaking out jumping everywhere. I could feel it in my engine too. so I unplugged it as to not damage anything in my engine. haven't gotten around to replacing/fixing it somehow. partly because I don't know how. I use my GPS for approximate speed.

 

[kjweston]

If its shooting that code could it just be harness or is it the actual sensor?

 

[kb0nly]

Many have reported the parking brake cable rubbing against the wiring harness to the speed sensor which shorts it out, check the wiring for any rubbed through spots. There was also a post about the connector being bad a while back, guy posted the part numbers needed to buy a new pigtail with connector to splice in.

 

[kjweston]

Many have reported the parking brake cable rubbing against the wiring harness to the speed sensor which shorts it out, check the wiring for any rubbed through spots. There was also a post about the connector being bad a while back, guy posted the part numbers needed to buy a new pigtail with connector to splice in.

I'm almost positive it was shorted. because it would periodically work and flutter and jump all around like it gets connection then doesn't and so on. where should I look for rubbing right by the harness thing?

 

[kjweston]

Corrosion may not be there, but it still could be a bad connection. Like I said, hold the key on to the start position for 30 secs...if it doesn't turn over, jump out and touch the battery cables to see if pos/neg is hot...be carefull it just may be. If it does start to turn over with the key held on, then there is a good chance it is a connection prob.

I turned the key and it started but this time it seemed slightly delayed not a huge noticeable difference but definitely not right away. so what do I do about bad ground connection? wire brush on terminals?

 

[kj924]

I turned the key and it started but this time it seemed slightly delayed not a huge noticeable difference but definitely not right away. so what do I do about bad ground connection? wire brush on terminals?

Yeah if you go to Pep Boys or any local auto parts store and get yourself a battery post clean/wire brush it will be alot easier. Then make sure the connections are tight...try turning the terminal end by hand to make sure it's not slipping....using gloves of course...then cover the terminal with grease to prevent corrosion.

Did you try the hold key on test....oh yeah you said it started Next time it doesn't start, if this cleaning doesn't fix it, hold the key on 30 secs and check cables right away to see if one is hot...if so, there's the route to follow, either to body ground or starter.

 

[kjweston]

Yeah if you go to Pep Boys or any local auto parts store and get yourself a battery post clean/wire brush it will be alot easier. Then make sure the connections are tight...try turning the terminal end by hand to make sure it's not slipping....using gloves of course...then cover the terminal with grease to prevent corrosion.

Did you try the hold key on test....oh yeah you said it started Next time it doesn't start, if this cleaning doesn't fix it, hold the key on 30 secs and check cables right away to see if one is hot...if so, there's the route to follow, either to body ground or starter.

Thanks man

 

[JeepJeepster]

Either you have corrosion/a bad connection somewhere or the starter is on its way out. If you cannot find any corrosion then its most likely a bad starter.

 

[JeepJeepster]

Small possibility that its a bad ignition too but I would lean towards a starter.

 

[tjkj2002]

I would lean towards a starter.

X2

Sounds like the starter is on it's way out.You will also want to cut your battery tray so that temp sensor is contacting the battery for a proper charge.