Ok I have an odd issue and could use some help; you'll need to read the entire explanation here as it's really odd and I'm having trouble tracing the root cause.

In temperatures below about 30F, when I come out to my 2G CL-S and try to start it: if the car has sat for 2-3 days, the battery will be dead or near dead. If only 1 day, it's usually about 65% "alive" and the car starts with a little struggle - I can hear the difference.

Data points:

1. Battery is an Optima Red about 2 years old and has tested by local auto shop as a "good" battery (holds a charge)
2. Alternator died on a me a few years ago and I had it re-habbed from a local shop - once reinstalled, appears to be working fine. And a local auto shop tested it out late last year as working correctly/"good"
3. I have no Mods and swapped out fuses a few years ago because they were just old and I had an issue with one fuse about 7 years ago that left me stranded at my parent's house for days until my Dad and I figured out a fuse needed replaced solely due to age/worn contacts (fuse was not blown)

I'm puzzled .. yes the car is old (my wife's explanation) but my other vehicle doesn't have this problem, and this started about a year ago, so I'm not sure what the hell is going on - something is wrong. I suppose it could be a parasitic draw from an old relay.

I don't think it's the starter - the only solution (root cause) I can think of is to have a local Honda dealer (no Acura dealer close by) run diagnostics on both the battery and alternator at the same time and give me a report. Could they trace a potential parasitic draw for me or am I looking at a big cost for that service?

Thoughts if anyone else has had this issue with this car or another vehicle?

 

Sometimes happens to me as well, especially now that the temperature is dropping in NY. Haven't really diagnosed it but my gut tells me it's the battery.

 

sounds like you could have a draw. or could simply be a simple starter/battery problem. does it click when trying to start? like a low voltage click? do all the accessories work with key on engine off?

 

Yes there could be a parasitic drain somewhere - I'm pulling relays this weekend after replacing all the fuses months ago which didn't help.

There isn't any clicking when I try to start, so I highly doubt it's the starter BUT the starter is original. Does the starter always give the clicks when it's dying?

All the accessories work with key on/engine off.

 

it just depends. sometimes it wont give you any feedback and sometimes it just clicks.

 

Do failures exhibit themselves based on lower temperature? I have ZERO problems 3 months out of the year...

 

Cold weather plays hell on batteries.. Ditch the Optima and get something like an Interstate.

 

Is the Optima a poor battery?! I kinda doubt that based on my research that led to the purchase..

 

My experience with Optima was they are junk. This is my experience only, do what you will. Replaced 3 under warranty in my Camaro. Finally put a battery disconnect switch in. My Optimas did NOT like any sort of parasitic drain.

 

Why not just fix the parasitic draw ?

 

The more I read about these Optima Red Tops, the more I'm seeing bad reviews at how they fail in 3 years or less.

I'm still 8 months from the 3 year mark, so I'm going to call Optima today and get a free replacement but next year this time, I'm going to replace it with a different brand/type of battery.

Thanks all

 

Because racecar. With at least 8 other cars to drive and maintain, tracing down a parasitic drain was not high on my priority list.

 

Amazon gave me a full refund today on the Red Top; after some research, looks like the heavy duty 24F Everstart with 750 CCA is my next battery.

 

Everstart,,, like Walmart brand? Please say no... Once again, just my opinion.