SUDDEN DEATH (of battery)

[gathermewool]

I’ve always had good luck with OEM batteries. They tend to last me a long time and give me some warning before dying. That is until today.

We were THIRTY MINUTES AWAY FROM HOME after nearly 17 straight hours of driving home from FL when the car would not start. We stopped for tacos in New Haven when it happened. I even started the car without any issue to quickly move the car while we were waiting for the tacos to be made. We were sitting for no more than five minutes before i tried to start it again. I went to start the car to get going and nothing but a click. My radar detector showed 9.6VDC.

Thank goodness I brought my NOCO jump pack! It took three times, but the car finally started right up and we were on our way!


Amplifying info:

2,500 miles of nearly all highway.

Lot of stops and starts while down in FL. Multiple stops and starts on the way up.

Radar detector showed 13.9-14.1VDC the whole trip.

After getting home and shutting off the engine, the battery reads a surface charge of 12.9VDC. So, not a shorts cell.

I‘m thinking something got disconnected while bumping and bouncing along NY’s greatest roads! Thoughts?

 

[gathermewool]

Foxwell tester shows 79% state of health. “Good battery”

 

[Silver]

I'd first assume a loose terminal but batteries can crap out suddenly like that. I've had it happen too. Charge it slow and completely, let it sit unhooked for a few days and monitor voltage drop.

 

[gathermewool]

I'd first assume a loose terminal but batteries can crap out suddenly like that. I've had it happen too. Charge it slow and completely, let it sit unhooked for a few days and monitor voltage drop.

Terminals were checked tight. Also clean and freshly sprayed with CRC protectant before the trip.

I forgot to mention that I’m going to replace the darned thing. Any suggestions? We recently joined Costco

 

[Silver]

Costco carries interstate. One of the best based on public opinion.

 

[JHZR2]

BTDT. Stoped for gas in Gary, IN, on my way to Chicago. Car worked perfect the whole way, turned off to fuel up, shut it down, and it wouldn’t start again. Shorted cell was the issue…

 

[gathermewool]

BTDT. Stoped for gas in Gary, IN, on my way to Chicago. Car worked perfect the whole way, turned off to fuel up, shut it down, and it wouldn’t start again. Shorted cell was the issue…

That was my thought. I was sure I’d be contacting USAA roadside assistance when I saw the low voltage.

Can battery cells unshort themselves?

 

[FZ1]

Terminals were checked tight. Also clean and freshly sprayed with CRC protectant before the trip.

I forgot to mention that I’m going to replace the darned thing. Any suggestions? We recently joined Costco

Check out a WM with an auto bay. Got an Ever Start Maxx installed for $88. Size 24f. 725 cca. Hope this helps

 

[eljefino]

Can battery cells unshort themselves?

Would you trust it? Imagine a lead plate banging around in there unsecured or partially secured.

 

[JeffKeryk]

At least you had tacos... Good move! Tacos make me happy.
Costco batteries are all I buy. Any question and they just pull a new one off the shelf.
Good luck.

 

[opus1]

BTDT. Stoped for gas in Gary, IN, on my way to Chicago. Car worked perfect the whole way, turned off to fuel up, shut it down, and it wouldn’t start again. Shorted cell was the issue…

Similar thing happened with the Dakota. Drove from Mom's place to my house, about a 90 minute, mostly highway drive, no problem. Went out the next morning and the battery was so dead that the door chime didn't even work.

 

[henni]

Foxwell tester shows 79% state of health. “Good battery”

What is page 2 of the Foxwell, SOH, SOC and RES MR ?

 

[ragtoplvr]

That was my thought. I was sure I’d be contacting USAA roadside assistance when I saw the low voltage.

Can battery cells unshort themselves?

Yes, they can. And they they can short themselves again. I have taken out batteries, set them down hard on the ground a couple of times, but them back in a start right up. Just get a new one.

Rod

 

[Chris Meutsch]

Car batteries are wonky. These things happen.

 

[samven]

I had a similar issue about 11 years ago. Company car drove to Walmart went in came out, totally dead. The car and battery were only 2 years old, an AC Delco.

 

[gathermewool]

What is page 2 of the Foxwell, SOH, SOC and RES MR ?

SOH: 79%
SOC: 100%
RES: 9.08

 

[henni]

Those numbers would indicate that this battery has not been regularly maintained. We cycle all our cars and generators on a CTEK MUS multi-connect unit which exercises the battery. The SOH value goes up above 90 and RES MR drops below 5. If not, I replace the battery.

 

[JMJNet]

Batteries usually go bad when temperature starting to get colder or hotter.

 

[gathermewool]

Those numbers would indicate that this battery has not been regularly maintained. We cycle all our cars and generators on a CTEK MUS multi-connect unit which exercises the battery. The SOH value goes up above 90 and RES MR drops below 5. If not, I replace the battery.

It’s from a 2015 Legacy (OEM I think) that I’ve owned and maintained the past four years I’ve owned the car. Never drained. smart-charged every week or so. Can’t be much better maintained than that…

I have a desktop PSU I use to equalize every so often (very infrequently)

 

[atikovi]

6-7 year old battery owes you nothing. Keep the NOCO in the car and see how much longer it lasts while searching battery deals. It may last another 6 months and maybe it just got stressed from the constant driving. I'd go for another OEM Subaru battery and dealers often have coupons for under $100.