2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Batteries

[Neibe]

My 97 has the original batteries in it I've never had batteries last this long. My Question is this as long as I can see the little green dot in the window on top of the batteries does this mean they are still good? This sounds stupid because obviously they still work I just don't like to get stranded. When I do replace them I think I'll get the Mopar ones they last a long time.

 

[Matt42]

Battery Life

Battery life depends a lot on where you live. Here in balmy Phoenix, where it rarely gets over 121F, regular lead-acid batteries last 18 to 24 months. They also tend to go with no warning. The truck or car will start just fine all day, but when you have the frozen fish on the right seat and it's 100F outside, that's when they go.



A friend in Fairbanks, Alaska gets more than twice the lead-acid battery life that I do.



The OEM batteries in my 1996 lasted 19 months. I switched to Optima red tops at that time. I don't know how long they last.

 

[tp0d]

Might want to check water levels in a battery that old... I just bought a 96 two months back, and it had aftermarket DieHards in it that wouldnt crank at all. . Opened the fill tubes, and saw about a 1 3/4" drop in the fluid... Refilled with distilled water, charged both overnite, and havent had one problem in quite a while... Truck actually came from Arizona somewhere, so thats probably one of the main failures you're seeing Matt...



-j

 

[Matt42]

Just Add Water ...

Absolutely right. A couple of battery brands here advertise that you can actually add water to them. Those tend to last the longest, often 24 months, sometimes a little longer.



The batteries that came with my truck were sealed maintenance-free. No way to add water without surgery.



Not all of Arizona has the problem. People who live in Flagstaff (and never leave the area), and some higher altitude parts of the state, can do better.

 

[Royal]

MATT---I live in Tucson. I got my 99 in June . It will soon be 5 years young. Of course as you know it's a lot cooler here in Tucson. Mine are still going strong.

 

[Matt42]

Hmm. Maybe that's just another joy of living in Maricopa County.

 

[Missouri Mule]

Yes, if you see the little green dot the batteries should be good.



Exception of the rule would be if the battery shorted out (green dot would be there but no power).



I'm using Optima Red Top.