battery problems?

[deathbynosleep]

Anyone else have problems with their battery? Recently my headlights will dim while driving and i can watch the battery gauge go down to about 10 volts then back up to 14.

[02EnvoySLE Guy]

Initially I though the alternator and batteries in these vehicles were weak. My lights dim when I use the power windows when at idle. I read that is normal. I think GM gave us the bare minimum of amps/volts.

What accessories do you run in your vehicle?

Yeah the alternator is only like 100 or 120A; I want a 160 or 180A for mine along with an Optima red top battery. That setup would be A LOT better for the truck, I just don't know how it would affect gas mileage....

[deathbynosleep]

Initially I though the alternator and batteries in these vehicles were weak. My lights dim when I use the power windows when at idle. I read that is normal. I think GM gave us the bare minimum of amps/volts.

What accessories do you run in your vehicle?

the entire inside of my vehicle is stock.

[work-n-show]

What does the Optima battery run price wise? That is a top notch battery from what I hear. You can crank over an Abrams Tank in -30F with that! :D


I bought an Optima Yellow top from GI Joes for about $160. If you shop around you'll find that is a very good price for a yellow top. I believe they are the most expensive. They are for deep cycle applications. The red top is more for straight cranking amps.

[work-n-show]

Also, if anyone is interested, I have a contact for a high output alternator.

It is a direct replacement 200A alternator that includes everything you need. All you have to do is mount it and plug it in.

[02EnvoySLE Guy]

Also, if anyone is interested, I have a contact for a high output alternator.

It is a direct replacement 200A alternator that includes everything you need. All you have to do is mount it and plug it in.

200A?? Sweet.... that'd be nice to have. Where's that at; I wouldn't mind looking at what they've got.

Also to the folks talking about Optimas -- are you saying the yellow is better than the red, or what?

[thecarbonman]

We have a friend with a 02 TB EXT his battery went bad this year and the dealer replaced it free. The Optima is a great battery, but there are some very good batteries out there for much less money. I have had great luck with both Interstate Batteries & Duralast Batteries from Auto Zone. What do you guys run that needs a 200 amp alt. With that kind of power you can plug in a live band.

[work-n-show]

200A?? Sweet.... that'd be nice to have. Where's that at; I wouldn't mind looking at what they've got.

Also to the folks talking about Optimas -- are you saying the yellow is better than the red, or what?

The 200A alternater is from:

Wrangler NW Power Products
4444 SE 27th
Portland, OR 97202
(503) 235-4110
I was quoted $549

I don't know that either battery is better. They are better at different things. The red top has more CCA, but the yellow will go longer on a charge before everything goes dead. The stereo shop I go to recommended the yellow, so that's what I bought.

[work-n-show]

We have a friend with a 02 TB EXT his battery went bad this year and the dealer replaced it free. The Optima is a great battery, but there are some very good batteries out there for much less money. I have had great luck with both Interstate Batteries & Duralast Batteries from Auto Zone. What do you guys run that needs a 200 amp alt. With that kind of power you can plug in a live band.

Yep, there are some much less expensive batteries out there. I bought the Optima because it is a gel cell so it can be mounted anywhere in any position and doesn't require ANY maintenance. Plus, it give me exactly what I want in terms of deep cycle and reliability. Works for me.

As far as the 200A, I guess I doen't need it. But, I do have a 1,000 watt system with all JL amps which typically draw a lot of power. Not to mention all the other in car entertainment. A 165A would probably be fine. But, since the 200A is a direct replacement, I might as well have the extra overhead (for future upgrades).

[thecarbonman]

Work-n-Show
How long will the Optima battery last? A good 100 level battery will go in my case 6-7 years for around $70. I do alot of off-roading. I fact my mom lives 150 miles away by dirt back roads or 250 by pavement we never use the pavement. I ask these questions because I'm OLD SCHOOL and maybe I need to rethink certain things. When I was young a 100 amp alt. was only available in police and fire rigs, and alot of them only ran 85 amp. and a std. car or truck ran 30-45 amp.

[work-n-show]

Work-n-Show
How long will the Optima battery last?

Optima says they'll last up to 2 times longer and hold up better to vibration.

Here you go:
http://www.optimabatteries.com/publish/optima/americas0/en/config/product_info/automotive.html

[trk]

My headlights also dim while driving sometimes, very dangerous!

Also, of course the engine drops below idle when you power steer too far or roll down the windows... very annoying :-/

[02EnvoySLE Guy]

My headlights also dim while driving sometimes, very dangerous!

Also, of course the engine drops below idle when you power steer too far or roll down the windows... very annoying :-/

Yup -- that's why I want to upgrade mine. Even if that means jumping to a 200A unit.

That will have to come sometime down the road though.

[Envoy Fan]

Optima says they'll last up to 2 times longer and hold up better to vibration.




Last fall I got the desire for an Optima. Bought a Red Top in Oct. Began having problems starting the vehicle in Dec. Finally had to jump start the Envoy to get started. Drove to Pep Boys, where Optima came from. They put a new Red Top in. It lasted two weeks. Took it back and put OEM back in. No problems since. The Red Top looks sexy, ;) but if it wouldn't start my
Envoy dependably it is outta here.

Others will tell you the Optima is the greatest. I am glad for their good luck. With trying them twice and having them go bad, I'm staying with OEM. :m2:

[02EnvoySLE Guy]

Last fall I got the desire for an Optima. Bought a Red Top in Oct. Began having problems starting the vehicle in Dec. Finally had to jump start the Envoy to get started. Drove to Pep Boys, where Optima came from. They put a new Red Top in. It lasted two weeks. Took it back and put OEM back in. No problems since. The Red Top looks sexy, ;) but if it wouldn't start my
Envoy dependably it is outta here.

Others will tell you the Optima is the greatest. I am glad for their good luck. With trying them twice and having them go bad, I'm staying with OEM. :m2:

:eek: good to know.

[Black Ice]

Very Good info indeed EnvoyFan, i was considering getting one.

[work-n-show]

I would be pretty negative on them if that had happened to me too. :confused:

I don't represent Optima and I have no interest on whether someone chooses to use them or not. But, I can share that I've been using them for years and haven't had an issue yet. And, they have a year warranty I believe.

Upgrading to an Optima yellow top made a big difference in the application I needed it for. I will continue to be a fan as long as they provide me results.

[02EnvoySLE Guy]

I would be pretty negative on them if that had happened to me too. :confused:

I don't represent Optima and I have no interest on whether someone chooses to use them or not. But, I can share that I've been using them for years and haven't had an issue yet. And, they have a year warranty I believe.

Upgrading to an Optima yellow top made a big difference in the application I needed it for. I will continue to be a fan as long as they provide me results.

You have a yellow top on your 'voy? Wonder if it's specifically the red top that doesn't do well....

[wgeclipse]

I too have this problem in a 2005 TB LT. It has been to the dealership three times already. There is a TSB stating that this is normal (will post the number later, as I have it a home). I disagree, when driving down the road, your headlights should not flash, nor should your instrument cluster flash. I found this on GM Techlink, and submitted a complaint to the NHTSA earlier this month.....

http://www.gmtechlink.com/images/issues/mar05/TLMar05e.html

Voltmeter Fluctuation Some customers may comment that their instrument panel voltmeter is fluctuating between 12 and 14 volts on their new 2005 model year light duty full size pickup/utility vehicle.

For 2005 model year, light duty full size pickups and utilities, are equipped with a new Regulated Voltage Control (RVC) system, covered in the September 2004 TechLink. The RVC system allows changes to vehicle voltage, up or down, under various scenarios. Battery state of charge and the vehicle’s present electrical needs are only two of numerous conditions taken into account.

This will cause the voltmeter to fluctuate between 12 and 14 volts. By comparison, conventional systems usually maintain a more consistent reading of 14 volts.

This fluctuation with the RVC system is normal system operation and no repairs should be attempted.

[jmedlin6]

Folks,


I have been reading through a few different forums and I can't find which model yellow top Optima battery I should buy. The few places I called couldn't cross reference one for me (i.e. Pep Boys Advance etc.). I have a 2005 TB w/ the 4.2L. I was thinking that the SKU D34/78-950 would work. What have you guys used is your TB? Any input would be greatly appreciated.:thx




Jason

[05Envoy05]

I have used Yellow top Optima's but only for trunk batteries for sound systems. I wouldn't recommend using one for main battery.