Hey guys, just wanted to get some thoughts on this. My '88 V6 4Runner has been sitting since August due to my accident in my '94 PU, I totalled it if you didn't know...and the fact that my ankle is still pretty messed up. Anyway, the yellow Optima is completely dead. I put it on charge and it doesn't seem to be holding a charge. WHY? I've always had issues with the charging system in the truck ever since I put a 150 amp alternator in it like 8 years ago. I can't figure it out. The charger even has a "jump start" feature and I can't get the truck to do anything...it just clicks and the buzzer for the key won't stop buzzing, check engine light, brake light on, etc. Any suggestions? Should I pull the battery and charge it outside the truck just to be safe? I was also thinking of jump starting it with my wife's blazer...I just don't know?

Thanks.

Greg

Greg, if we were talking about anything other than an Optima, I could give an intelligent answer with about 90% certainty.

In wet batteries, if you let them go too long, they form too much lead sulfide and can form bridges between the plates which short out that cell. With an Optima, I'm not sure if that's true because I'm not sure which metals and acids they use in those batteries.

Basically, try to charge it and see what happens. If it won't hold a charge, the battery may have a shorted cell. (Are you sure it's the battery and not the truck????)

OK, when you charge it, will it get all the way to 11-12 volts? (2 volts per cell). If 9 or 10 is as high as it will go, then you have at least one dead cell.

This would be a good question for 4Crawler. See if you can get his attention.

Is your battery still under waranty? I thought Optimas were supposed to last forever???

You let a rig sit with the battery connected for 4 months and wonder why it died? There are things like the clock and EFI computer that constantly suck on your battery, and will drain it FAAAR past the point even a deep cycle Optima can stand in a month or so.

Yes, Optimas do die. I've killed one red top so far. Got it warrantied and we'll see how long this one lives. But I still wouldn't run anything else: No leaks lying on my side or inverted - which is a priority if, like me, you're frequently a little late with the "grab reverse and stand on it" routine... and they take twice as long to die as any other battery, easily. IIRC they have a 5 year free replacement warranty: But you have to know/prove where you bought it. This is why you keep all the reciepts for your trail rig.

actually, it was the other Greg who had the bad battery.

Greg,

I am having the same problem with my YellowTop Optima. I have not started the truck since my trip to Attica in October. I went to start it today and nothing. I jumped it with my Dodge and the truck started and ran. If I took the jumper cables off the Toyota, the truck started to stumble, flashed the check engine light, and died.
I am going to get a battery charger and charge the battery in the garage where it is warmer than 10 degrees and see if this helps. If not, I am going to buy a new battery and return the old one on the new receipt, because I do not have the receipt for the old battery.
Oh, and my battery is almost brand new. I just bought it in July before Bloomsburg.
I have never had a problem like this before, but then again, I have never let my truck sit for 3 months in below freezing tempuraters without starting it every now and then. I guess I learned my lesson. Just start the truck every couple of weeks to keep things fresh.

That sounds like a classic case of dead alternator to me.

That sounds like a dead alternator, not a dead battery. Once your truck is running, it should STAY running, with or without a good battery.

I thought of this, but my volt gauge showed that it was charging. Could the cold be effecting the alternator?It has been below freezing for over a week.
Thinking maybe the brushes are stuck or something? I guess I wil have to get out the ol' VOM and check things out.

I will wait till the 6 inches of snow have gone away though.

I don't feel like replacing the alternator again.

well, is the charge light and brake light ON when the motor is running? The light will come one the minute the alternator's voltage is LOWER that battery voltage.

Try this: Jump-start your truck. Leave the jumpers hooked up, but shut OFF the engine of the 2nd car. This way, your truck will have voltage to keep running, but it will be battery voltage (12v) and not alternator voltage (14v). If your alternator is working, the charge light will be off. If it's not, the light should come on when the other car gets shut off. (At least I think so.)

Just a thoguht. Try it.

Try this too: Check your fusible link!!!!! (big 3/4" plastic fuse with a clear lid in the black box).

Good luck!

Ok, I had the battery on 15 amp charge all day yesterday...NOTHING, not even interior lights. I am so irritated. I think there is a problem and has been a problem with that damn 150 amp Phoenix Gold alternator. I think I am going to just get a factory alternator and re-do all of the wiring for it. Gut the interior, pull any "unused" wires from old lights, stereo, etc. In the beginning of last year I had the problem of dead battery and I thought it was draw from the alarm, so I pulled it. ALSO, on a side note, the first time testing the new suspension at Paragon last year, the red top Optima actually "overcharged" and got very hot and bloated...even steamed out of the vents. That's why I have this yellow top anyway. So there have got to be issues with the alternator. The truck wouldn't even start with the charger on the 100 amp "quick start"....

We'll see what happens..........

Greg