1986 Fiero We, v6. I am looking into batteries, getting tired of having to replace it as they seem to always expire right before the warranty. Any one try an AGM, or have any experience/opinion on them? (All ready have a shut off switch I use every time.)
Many Batteries Brands are owned and made by Johnson Controls. Most of those are same but marked up to sell by Auto Parts stores, Sears, etc. I just get Walmart EverStart Maxx also a JC battery w/ 2 year free replacement then 3 years prorated.
Note that all cars will drain the battery if parked for weeks to months. Important for winter because low charge battery freezes, often very easily, and that will ruin them even if they charge after thawing.
Repeatedly dead batteries are often a symptom of other problems. See my Cave, Battery etc.
------------------ Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should. (Jurassic Park)
Have had bad luck with AGM's in cars and motorcycles. Good luck with Interstate maintenance free batteries. Interstate also makes bats for many different outlets. Delco good too
I wanted to chime in here- My battery went dead twice in three months- could not figure out where the drain was.
Later, rebuilt my left HL motor.....tried it for the second time and it started overheating.....(The RH one stayed cool)...The next day I was showing a friend and happened to >Touch< the knob on top of the motor (RH motor)....As we were leaving the garage I heard a little noise- went over and felt the RH motor...HOT and getting hotter!
I have now switched to the 87-88 headlight motors- I believe that those old motors were turning on by themselves in the middle of the night and draining the battery. I have also installed a relay in the big red wire for the motors that only allows power if you have the key on- so if you park and walk away, the motors can't start and drain the battery or overheat and catch fire! (The old motors have a thermal switch but it is not very durable and when it goes.....Fiiiii-Re!!!!(Old Ohio Players song)
I will endeavor to post an install guide for my relay..........
The US Made Optimas were excellent as they used virgin lead. When they moved manufacturing to Mexico, they began using recycled lead and the impurities in it caused quality and usable life to go down. US Made Odyssey batteries use virgin lead and they will last
Originally posted by FX: Have had bad luck with AGM's in cars and motorcycles. Good luck with Interstate maintenance free batteries. Interstate also makes bats for many different outlets. Delco good too
Interstate and Delco batteries are just another JC brand... Interstate w/ higher price often sold to parts stores and shops in Franchise trucks same thing as Snap-on et al for tools. Delphi sold all battery designs names etc to JC years ago after went Bankrupt. GM and ACdelco gets all batteries from JC w/ a huge make up to attach the name. Plus you pay for Ad cost for TV etc.
ACDelco is just a name attach like Kenmore is to Sears. They don't make anything now. Worse often have far less or no warranty on most parts vs AZ etc.
Originally posted by Dennis LaGrua: The US Made Optimas were excellent as they used virgin lead. When they moved manufacturing to Mexico, they began using recycled lead and the impurities in it caused quality and usable life to go down. US Made Odyssey batteries use virgin lead and they will last
EPA et al is Why all lead batteries use only recycle lead now and not just in the US. EPA and others love to wave a flag that they force closed the last Lead Smelter in North America that process lead ore into useful lead. Primary Smelting is a whole different animal vs Secondary Smelting to make batteries and everything else. EPA wants to close as many of the Secondary plants too.
If you find Any batteries w/ claims made w/ "virgin lead" then: Most are lying to you. Some might still have "Old Stock" pure lead that will dry up. Others are getting "virgin lead" from China Peru etc. Others are getting whole batteries from foreign countries. All are going to Cost way more then standard wet cells.
I second that. The original kirkland battery on my car lasted 10 years and I replaced it two years ago with no issues what-so-ever. Best value and warrenty.
[This message has been edited by yamaha94 (edited 12-02-2019).]
i'd be leery about buying one now, very expensive and i'm not confident with the new ones.
but, to be fair, i did have one that was remarkable(not in my fiero) and i transferred it into three different vehicles before I no longer had one that could fit it. i had two 'smaller' red tops before getting the 'big one' that really sucked though. My alarm would 'kill' a battery in about 3days if i didn't run the car and re-charge it. Was hoping the optima's would handle this better, but they did not.
nowadays i tend to stick with costco batteries. they seem to be about as good as any other, and i don't have to spend over $200 for one
I put an Optima in my V8 Formula in 2010. It lasted until 2016. The replacement was very expensive and is junk already. Always stored inside during the cold season. I wouldnt pay 50ยข for one.
I have a Dyna-Batt in mine (fieroguru uses one with his LS4). I have not had any problems with it at all. I have only had it a few months but I want to say fieroguru has used his for 3 years now.
I put an Optima in my V8 Formula in 2010. It lasted until 2016. The replacement was very expensive and is junk already. Always stored inside during the cold season. I wouldnt pay 50ยข for one.
I have had a few red tops crap out on me under warranty. Not a big fan of Optima anymore. Honestly most batteries seem to have a shorter life span anymore. Whereas i could go about 5 years before replacing a battery and now it seems around 3 I am replacing them. Could just be me though.
I use a Duracell AGM from Sams Club in my daily driver. It was still good but I replaced it at 8 years because I was going on an extended road trip and didn't want to take the chance having any battery problems during the trip. I use Odyessy AGM batteries in my Fiero and motorcycles and usually get at least 8 years service from them also. I charge the Odyessy batteries once a month during the off season with an Odyessy charger to maintain them.
