help... quick ... is it my battery?

oilspot

Ok, car didn't want to start a few minutes after it had run yesterday afternoon. Starter chugged down like the battery was almost dead. Waited about 15 min and it started, barely. Brought it home and it started like nothing had ever happened, a few times in a row.
Went ahead and cleaned the battery posts, cable ends, ground strap where it connects to the block. This morning it didn't want to start again. Tried running and then after it chugged a few times a relay gave me a few clicks.

I've got the battery being charged at a local place my friend works at. He said he's got to charge it and then he'll be able to test it and tell me if the batteries ok.

I'm kinda thinking that the batteries old and just needs to be replaced. What else should I check?

oilspot

yeah... it was a bad battery.
Just didn't want to spend the cash on a new battery just to find out that it was some weird relay or bad connection.

SiWagon

:arrow: Tip: Don't buy sealed top batteries(like Delco.I'm not talking about Optimas) 'cuz you can't refill them.Just make sure to keep the battery filled with distilled water.

Proper battery filling.I can't believe several auto shops say not to fill them('cuz they want to sell you batteries).

Pop the top.look into the 3 tubes.It looks like a cup with the bottom cut out & slots cut into the sides.
Fill it w/distilled water to the bottom of the ''cup''.You'll see the water pucker as it touches the bottom of the cup .Now do the other 3 if needed.

:shock: I'm going on my 8th or 9th year on my Costco(Kirkland) battery that I've transfered from car to car.My Delco only lasted 4 years 'cuz I couldn't refill it.

Jaker

Those supposed "sealed" batteries with the big square blocks on the top are not sealed. If it's a lead acid battery, you can open it. The big square piece is a cap. Just pry up on the edge gently with a screwdriver, and it'll open up just like the Kirkland and a Honda battery.

SiWagon

Delco does sell batteries which you can open the top,but they have a series that are sealed tops with the the hydrometer ''eye''.These you can NOT open.Since mines was toast I forced it open to break the seal & sure enough it was low on water.