Hercules

Car is sputtering on startup... I'm thinking I need a better battery?

I run a stereo system that takes alot of juice and the car really is struggling now to start, it takes quite a few cranks before it kicks in, and it's a matter of time before it doesn't even do that!

Anyways, is the battery the problem? Also, how much will a heavy-duty battery run to get this problem fixed?

And if it's not the battery, what could it be, and how much to fix it?

Thanks!

red_base 95

You can get heavy duty batteries for less than $130. Optima batteries are used by offroaders for running electric winches - a very big drain. They sometimes have a seperate battery dedicated for lights, winches, and other accessories.

You could have an issue with your alternator. I think both Pep Boys and AutoZone will do a quick diagnostic for you to determine your issue.

Good Luck.

zoom44

yep herc definetly check the alternator. it may not be up to the task of recharging the battery properly, especially if you do a lot of short trips where you are starting the car several times in a short time span.

Lensman

I presume you've fully charged the battery and then lived with it for a while. In the winter the drain on my car's battery exceeds the power going back in from the alternator and if I don't charge it once in a few weeks it'll drain. If you charge it and the problem returns very quickly then it's worth investigating at a garage.

eccles

Take it to a competent Auto Electrician. They will hook up a meter that tells them the static voltage, cranking amps, and the voltage while cranking - this will tell them whether your battery is weak, your alternator is not charging properly, or your starter is drawing too much current.

Around these parts, AutoZone and Batteries Plus offer this as a free service.

Hercules

I've had this same battery for almost 5 years now... I'm thinking it might be the battery.

However I will take your advice and find a place around here that will check the amperage coming out of the battery.

If it is in fact the alternator though, how much to replace it? And I have heard there are bigger/better alternators.. will they fix my car, and again, how much would they run?

Also pertaining to batteries... a 'heavy duty' battery does what exactly? I just need the maximum power output to get the car started and amps running and stuff.... I think all the audio equipment I've got is taking its toll on the car.

Thanks for all your help!

zoom44

in fact i just now picked up my wife's ford ranger from the mechanic after they put a new alternator in. the alternator itself cost $203.45 + $90 bucks for labor to put it and 2 new belts on.

eccles

• At 5 years old, it's entirely possible that your battery is getting sad.
  
• Don't know how much to replace the alternator, but you'd only need a bigger one if you were consistently drawing more current than your existing alternator can supply. That's unlikely, even with a mega stereo.
  
• There are two different sorts of "heavy duty" battery. Some are designed with a greater reserve capacity, meaning that you can run your boombox longer with the engine off and still be able to crank the engine when you're done, while some provide greater cranking current (usually measured in CCA - Cold Cranking Amps) for applications which require a lot of grunt to turn the starter. Some do both.

Hope that helps!

Hercules

Fixed my problem... I used my mom's car and tested to make sure it was the battery and not anything else; at which point I went out and bought a heavy duty Die Hard battery from Sears for 75 bucks that pushes out twice the CCA that my original one did

Yay, no more headaches!

ZoomZoom

Five years... you've been living on borrowed time!

red_base 95

Heavy duty batteries will give you more amps, but the optima I mentioned are typically deep cycle batteries, meaning they hold there ability for max output longer, and take recharging much better.

Anyway, glad your problem is fixed. Car problems can be a major headache.