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Be smart. If you're a Costco member buy their Interstate for around $85.00. Four year free replacement then pro rated... When it dies go get another one and you're done. Can't do better anywhere... My Corvette battery (the '66) is 9 years old and going strong...
Oh, most important thing was the symptoms. humming, couldn't turn it off. it was in some weird mode where it kept tring to start. dash light bright/dim, flashing dash lights... almost possessed.
I closed all the doors shut off what I could, waited a good minute , and tried again, after the batttery had a little rest. and it turned off (power, no brake).
finally it shut down. charged it with home charger for 40min (10amps), and it started... after a rest and charge....
If it were me to do again, I'd replace mine at 5 years. with a cheaper model... like a interstate I'd probably make a box out of cardboard and measure how big it can be....
Be smart. If you're a Costco member buy their Interstate for around $85.00. Four year free replacement then pro rated... When it dies go get another one and you're done. Can't do better anywhere... My Corvette battery (the '66) is 9 years old and going strong...
Is it possible to run an OBD scanner to check if the battery is still good? I'm using Torque, the Aux B Volt identifier always shows 14.5 V.
The small battery is used to run 12V electronics for the interior like the lights, locks and sound system. Once the voltage drops below a threshold, the big battery keeps it topped up.
Is it possible to run an OBD scanner to check if the battery is still good? I'm using Torque, the Aux B Volt identifier always shows 14.5 V.
The small battery is used to run 12V electronics for the interior like the lights, locks and sound system. Once the voltage drops below a threshold, the big battery keeps it topped up.
I have OBD device and Carista app that I purchased few years back. The software I have doesn't show me any Battery information. It allows customization and shows fault codes if any present. The only other test it runs is emission test but nothing about either of the 2 batteries. Maybe I should try Torque, or just get cheap battery testing device.
Batteries will fail even if new when the alternator is going bad. Our cars have the "Red Battery Indicator" on the dashboard that says the alternator is not charging at the right level. Means your alternator is dying and needs replacement. If you continue to run with this light on, it will take down the battery and you will get stranded.
The 300h has no alternator and no starter. The battery is charged through the power in the main hybrid system. The engine is started by MG1 which is spun by the main hybrid battery. So the battery in the trunk does not see the extreme loads of a starter. What is important is the point made above that the battery is in the trunk and there is no ventilation I presume. This means that any fumes can come into the passenger compartment. It is important to also not have acid sloshing around like in a conventional battery in case one gets rear ended by a cell phone toting mama in a Suburban. That is why the battery is sealed and uses absorbent glass. Please do not replace with a conventional battery which is more appropriate for ventilated hood applications.
I was in a rush to make a meeting when it failed, so I was googling the replacement battery group and hit this thread, and posted a little too quick, while searching for a quick replacement.
-Do you think one of those small portable jump starters would be a good idea for a 5 year old battery? I'm thinking I'll get one if I still have the car in 4 years...
Last edited by mrBillFL; Sep 14, 2018 at 06:48 AM.
