2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Could front-end damage kill a battery?

[CLorox]

My truck was involved in an incident with a local reinforced concrete wall. After about a month in the shop, it is back on the streets, but it looks like the green LED in the battery's see through window is no longer... green.



Could a hit to that corner of the truck cause the battery to up and die? It was still showing a green light when I towed it to the shop. Included is a picture of the battery / tray after the accident. Should I push for insurance to cover this? (And shouldn't both batteries be replaced at once?) Both batteries are the OEM ones from a 99 (built Oct 98) so they are pretty old already.

 

[BV]

I would say yes an impact could have shook the battery hard enough to crack a plate or internal connection or at least stress them and yes they should both be replaced at the same time.

 

[LSMITH]

I agree with BV.

 

[Ladders]

Concur...

But then its still up to the "fight" with the ins agent.



SOTSU!!

\\BF//

 

[CLorox]

Big pic

Sorry for the huge pic btw. I just wanted to show that the tray barely moved. . Get this. . the led is back on. I guess the battery is still on it's way out, but its gonna be a pain to prove it for insurance purposes (especially since I need to replace both batteries)





-Adam

 

[Ron Bissett]

Originally posted by CLorox

My truck was involved in an incident with a local reinforced concrete wall. After about a month in the shop, it is back on the streets, but it looks like the green LED in the battery's see through window is no longer... green.



Could a hit to that corner of the truck cause the battery to up and die? It was still showing a green light when I towed it to the shop. Included is a picture of the battery / tray after the accident. Should I push for insurance to cover this? (And shouldn't both batteries be replaced at once?) Both batteries are the OEM ones from a 99 (built Oct 98) so they are pretty old already.

The green light may come back up after charging for a few days or if you put it on a charger . That eye is only a indicator that may or may not work use a hydrometer or volt meeter to check the battery . Hopes this helps . Ron in Louisville KY PS don't see the link to pic . :-{}

 

[athompson]

Just replace them

It's a lot more convenient to replace the batteries at home, before they quit. Besides, even two batteries aren't really that expensive.

 

[RKohn]

3-4 years on a oem battery is about average anyway...

they woulda died soon anyway. you just put the last nail in the coffin. with a sudden jar, you just shook all the built up crap on the plates loose and it settled to the bottom.



mine are on the way out too. red top optimas are looking good. napa has a decent price.



rick

 

[MidwestMotorman]

Batteries hate stress. Vibrations are bad for batteries. A collision will definitely harm them internally when there is no visible outside damage. I have only heard of insurance companies paying for physically damaged batteries though. I look for stress on the bottom and side of the battery near the anchor bolt.