PT Problems

[PT Lilly]

Well I've been gone from this site for awhile now, I still haven't heard anything on the whole Alex crap that went down a long time ago but thats not the reason I'm here. I had an aftermarket alternator put on about 7 months ago and upgraded it from a 95 amp to a 235 amp due to stereo and lighting on my cruiser which is a 2001. I had the factory battery upgraded as well to an Optima Red Top and had all the terminals replaced and wiring as well.

Heres the problem; I believe it or not had my car towed recently to the dealership (I know I used the "D" word) due to the fact that I drove it home one night last week and it wouldn't come out of first gear, my headlights weren't working and my dash display was completely dead, I managed to make it home and get it towed the next morning. The dealership said I had a hole in my radiator and the belt to my fan and alternator had snapped and needed replacing total damage plus tow was $891 and some change. Thought that fixed the problem not even 48 hours later it did it again, wouldn't come out of first gear no display, dead car. Back to the dealership towing and all. Now this time its a dead cell in my battery, shouldn't they have noticed that last time? So they can't fix it or won't rather until I replace the Optima battery which they don't carry, so they can start the car and see if that was the problem or if theres more. I've refused to pay for the tow or any other problems they might find due to the fact of their 27 point inspection of the vehicle and their word that it was fine.

So thanks for taking the time to read all of this and I hope one of you out there can give me some advice other than the obvious that I was dumb enough to take it to the dealership and help me figure a way to solve this deliema. I love my PT and its my only mode of transportation I need it and your help, I've come to this site in time of need before and I need it's help again.

P.S the dealership is Greenway Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler in Orlando FL

Thanks for your input PT Lilly

[quicksilverdon]

Some thoughts...
Even cheapo batteries usually have a 1-year warranty - see if you can find out and have a friend take you to dealer & get the Optima battery out & take it to where you bought it - it should last more than 7 months.

My guess is that your battery was drained... when alternator belt broke, battery was completely drained - One of 2 things happened - either they just fixed the belt (and radiator) and didn't charge the battery enough, or, charged the battery too rapidly and ruined a cell.

[bigdogdad]

I have optimas on my boat and for those batteries anyway, a quick charge is a no no.


P.S. I feel for you Ptlilly, you have my luck.

[PT Lilly]

SO far so good the Optima has a 3 year warr. But according to the guy that installed the battery and alternator he has only gotten one bad battery back in 7 years that he has been installing them. Either way my car still needs fixing so I don't miss anymore work, I'm staying on top of it and I may have it towed back over to the alternator guy to have him take a furthur look at it I just hope that he fixes the problem. Keep your advice coming. The battery has been drained twice in the last 4 days.

[bobs turbo pt]

wow that really stinks , i think i would get a new battery thats for sure and have your other guy ( not the dealership) make sure the car is charging good luck bob

[PT Lilly]

Well back to the drawing board. Update. The Service manager refuses to forgive the towing charge for the second time I had it towed back to the dealership exclaiming that the battery losing it's charge could happen to anyone at any time and is therefore not covered by the dealership, so I have to pay for the tow and then I have to pay some more to get it towed to the alternator guy so he can look at it and hopefully fix whaterever the F is wrong with my car, assuming that the "F" has something to do with the battery and the alternator, oh and to top it all off he refuses to pay for the tow over to his shop. Saying he never has payed for towing and he never will. So I'm up the creek that has you know what in it without a paddle, but any advice or smart azz comments are still welcome.

Thanks for all your help and support

PT Lilly

[PT Lilly]

Update #2

Its the alternator that I got installed and hopefully with any luck the guy who installed it will have it fixed by Tuesday, Wednesday this week. Here again a 235 amp alternator is bad in less than a year and Reman is the company's alternator.

[CHROMEDCRUISER]

What are you doing to wear down your amp and battery so damned quick? Are you doing decibal competitions or what?

[PT Lilly]

Not as often as you think. Actually I upgreaded due to audio reasons but I haven't competed in a while. I just was tired of crankin it and watching the lights dim. Now they don't. I Cruise with my Cruiser.

[bobs turbo pt]

glad you found out what was wrong !!