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I've been having trouble starting my 91 5sp TT, but since I don't drive it that much it's no big deal. Started just fine last night, take it out of the garage, turn it off. Lock up the house, go to start it, barely starts. Turns over slowly. Get to GF's house, take her car to dinner. Hours later I leave, it starts, but not like it should. Slow turnover. I finally have some time today, so I thought I'd take a look. It's either the starter (1 year new), battery (2 years) or Alt (13 years, 43k miles). Start cheap, check the battery: 12.3 volts sittin' still
14.5 volts at idle
Seems okay, let's take the battery back to where I bought it, Pep Boys, have them test it. Date on battery is June 2001. At Pep Boys they say "Can't test it, it's a gel battery. We can just give you a new one, if you have the receipt". RIGHT, like I have that on me. All I wanted was to check the battery, and go from there. I might still have the receipt at home, but I might not. The guy says "a credit card statement will work". I go to work, get online, check my yahoo visa site, only keep records back 3 months. I call. Customer service rep looks it up; June 2001, for Pep Boys. He finds it, says he can fax it. CHA CHING. Back to Pep Boys with statement in hand. Walk to counter, show paperwork to worker, she gets me a new battery, tags the old one, and hands me a "defective" tag. At the register, all goes smooth. Phone number, driver's license number, etc. I sign a return receipt, she hands me a new receipt for the new battery. All any of them saw was a photo copy of a credit card statement showing I spent $118 at Pep Boys on June 1. NOWHERE does it show that I bought an Optima Red Top. I now have a new battery, and a receipt dated today, stating free replacement till 3/15/2005. 84 month prorated 3/15/10, and on the battery it says free 3 year. So, they sell a battery that can't be tested, and offer a 2 year (or 3) FREE REPLACEMENT, and at time of replacement hand over a new receipt. Does this make sense? The way I figure it, I just need to keep this receipt and every two years go get me a new battery. All I need to say is "can you test this?" I still a have to install it, and it might not even be my problem which would mean it's not the battery. For you Optima owners, what do you do when you need/want it tested? Can they load test them? What a day. ;)
-Todd "Im not in highschool their Einstein. Im in graduate school. " -ZenthuZiast |
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