Battery change

[SteelBlueGT]

When my battery gave up the ghost it was really at a bad time for me! First thing that happened was that the battery showed a lot of white corrosion all over and at the terminals. I cleaned it up put in battery terminal savers and then my trip odometer would reset to zero when I shut the engine off. Then it cranked kinda slowly for a few months. Then wifey backed out of the garage and it stalled and the check engine light come on. It would jump start but not keep running. Towed it into the dealer on July 1 and it came back to me on July 3 fully fixed with just a new battery and a new cable connector as the old one was corroded. Total cost $180 about half for new 5 yr MOPAR battery and half for labor. The check engine light was caused by the lack of battery output according to the dealer.

My advise is that after 4 years or if your trip odometer is suddenly resetting get a new battery. Mine did not make it to 4 years (oct 02) but I should have changed out to an Optima and saved a lot of trouble. I love the fact that the trip odometer is workiang again after 9 mo of not working.

[PT4U2C]

Hey guys...batteries can be the most fickle things on a car. My early '01TE (March '00 build) has the original battery still. Yea, I know and agree any moment.... My '03 turbo still has it's original with no issues (could change tomorrow). You never know. Simple checks (water level, connections, cleaning posts, etc. DO make a difference. Everyone worries about cold weather. Heat is far more damaging than cold, particularly exessive heat like the turbos generate. Cold quickly zaps a weak battery because it takes more energy to crank a cold engine. Just my .02.
PT4U2C/1KICKNPT

[strangelove]

quote:Simple check (water level, connections, cleaning posts, etc. DO make a difference.

Good .02 cents PT4U2C saves you a pretty penny in the long run. I always make it a habit to check the battery whenever I do general maintenance on my PT. I learned to check on the battery from a friend that has an RV, ten batteries to power electricals like TV's microwaves, etc. Talk about getting every last cent out each battery, but it just pays to maintain your battery and it's as easy as cleaning the contacts of any corrosion by pouring some baking soda and washing it off with a hose and checking the water level and if low, topping off with distilled water. Be sure to wear eye protection and gloves when doing this. Another thing that helps is having a way to check the charge level. I have an inverter that I got from Costco (Xantrex) which has a led display that reads battery output. This will alow you to check the voltage of your battery and you can see if your battery is retaining a charge. As long as the battery retains a charge above 12 volts your fine. If it drops below 12 volts after sitting for a while that's ok I have been able to crank and engine at 9 volts, as long as it will keep it's charge your battery is good. It's when your battery is at 9 volts and continues to loose charge is when you know you've got a bad battery, or a bad alternator. You could also use any car battery charger to check the voltage of your battery. Here's a picture of the mini inverter I use to charge up all my electric do dads and keep any eye on my battery.



I had a used Chevy Blazer that was 3 years old when I got it that still had the factory battery in it. By maintaining it, the battery lasted for the entire time I owned the truck, which was 5 years. So taking care of your battery the same way you take care of your engine and it should last just the same.

[LoboMX]

The 4 years about battery lifespan must be true, my GT 5 Speed '03 is now at the stearler (a broken radiator issue) and the tech told me that the battery is leaking acid so it's time for a new one, now i know why the trip odometer was reseting to 0 every time. Oh well bye bye $130

[UKNEWGUY]

Hi, I'm selling a USA GT Turbo for a friend here in the UK. Unfortunately he's very ill in hospital and I can't talk with him. His car has been idle for a while and now needs a new battery, it will not hold any charge at all. It is a 03 GT Turbo, my problem is that I can't identify the battery for replacement here.

Can anyone give me a model number or brand name, anything that can help me find a battery here in England. There is a Costco near to where I live, but they can't identify the battery, but say they might be able to get one.

UK battery sellers just say 'can't help you' or 'I need more info' - sigh...

Please help!

[Teekypt]

Originally Posted by UKNEWGUY

Hi, I'm selling a USA GT Turbo for a friend here in the UK. Unfortunately he's very ill in hospital and I can't talk with him. His car has been idle for a while and now needs a new battery, it will not hold any charge at all. It is a 03 GT Turbo, my problem is that I can't identify the battery for replacement here.

Can anyone give me a model number or brand name, anything that can help me find a battery here in England. There is a Costco near to where I live, but they can't identify the battery, but say they might be able to get one.

UK battery sellers just say 'can't help you' or 'I need more info' - sigh...

Please help!

Does this help???

Interstate Batteries - Every Battery for Every Need

[UKNEWGUY]

That's a great help, many thanks.

At least I now have the amperage ratings and a new number to try.

You're a star.

[Teekypt]

Originally Posted by UKNEWGUY

That's a great help, many thanks.

At least I now have the amperage ratings and a new number to try.

You're a star.

No problem.
Glad to help!

[Mr Mopar]

Our 2003 PT GT's battery is on it's last legs. I'll be replacing it at end of Summer 'cause it won't make it through another Winter.