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???
