I've only had the blower for about 1.5 years and my 1.5 yo Optima has already gone dead. An external charger won't even get it going. Is this typical of the smaller Optima batteries? I'm going to have to pay $$ to get the blower removed just to put in "another" new battery. Sux!!

On a side note, my starter makes weird noises when I turn it to the second notch (just before cranking over the engine). Could this cause some type of damaging draw on the battery? The dealer is going to check the alternator but the volt meter build into my radar detector reads 14.xx volts while the car is running. As soon as the car is off the volts drop to zero. I assume the alternator is probably functioning since I should see zero volts even if the car is running if the alternator was not working and the battery was dead.

 

I think I read a post on here (smitty or scalbert possibly) that described a way to swap the battery without removing the blower.

The battery definitely should have lasted longer than that though... hopefully just a fluke.

 

I can walk you through swapping out the 51R WITHOUT removing the supercharger.

My first Interstate 60 month 51R battery lasted 14 months.... they replaced it free of charge but I removed the battery and replaced it with a new 75 month Interstate 51R.

You need to remove the ICEBOX and plumbing to the throttle body....

then remove the throttle body... take the terminals off the battery.

Take off the 2 bolts that hold the battery tray in place and carefully move the battery box and battery towards the firewall... tilt the battery towards the drivers side and slide it right out.

replace the battery.

Be SUPER careful when putting the terminals BACK on the new battery, IF you touch the blower unit with the wrench or ratchet while placing the terminals on you will throw sparks and short out the new battery.

if you get stuck my AIM is Acurazine Smitty or you can PM me for my phone number.

 

doesnt optima have a warranty or something, check that out.

 

Depending on where you got the battery they should replace it too. I got mine at advance auto a while back and had to replace it too. Gave me a free one since it was within the replacement window (i think 3 years).

 

Yellow tops are deep discharge marine applciation batteries.. You should have bought a red top. Yellow tops are not designed to supply short duration high amp discharges. I suspect that is why it is toast so soon..

BTW I have a yellow top in my truck for secondary lighting and it has been working for almost 5 years...

 

The 51R doesn't come in Red Top, hence the reason for the yellow.....

 

As always, thanks for the info! Damn I'm going to miss the guys on this site!

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