Battery Problem

[FASTASS300C]

Has any one had problems with the standard batteries on their 300C 5.7 or 6.1? Problem, I drive my car on the last day of the week and weekends. I try to keep my miles down and consumption of gas. If the car sits for 6 or 7 days, when I start, the battey barely provides enough juice to start - it starts, but the first bump on the ignition and you'd think the battery was dead. Has anyone upgraded their battery or do I need to do the "obvious" drive more - Steve

[Northern Rider]

Haven't seen a lot of new battery failure posts.

How far do you drive each week? You may need to put a trickle charger on the battery to get it back up to 100%. That's a big motor for the starter to crank over.

[FASTASS300C]

25 MILE ONE WAY. iT SEEM LIKE THE BATTERY IS DRAINING ITSELF.

[Northern Rider]

Check the battery connections to make sure they are tight. The battery is in the lift up compartment on the floor of the trunk.

[FASTASS300C]

I've Done That Time And Time Again. What I'm Thinking Is That Their Is So Much In These Hemi's, Not To Mention The Computer Chips Everywhere Controlling Numerous Electrical And Mechanical Functions. This Battery Has A Lot To Deal With And Support A Lot Of Functions. I'm Wanting If Increasing The Amperage Might Solve The Problem.

[kevenj]

Originally Posted by FASTASS300C

..... Not To Mention The Computer Chips Everywhere Controlling Numerous Electrical And Mechanical Functions.

I think something along those lines is the problem rather than the battery itself. There are times when I don't drive my "C" for 2 weeks at a time, but I'll start it up once a week; if I don't start it for 2 weeks the battery will be dead (not completely dead, but around 11.8 volts where all the accessories work but the starter just clicks). I've load tested the battery once recharged and it passes with flying colors. My theory (which might be WAY off base!) is that one of the modules that controls some automatic function is not turning itself 'off' all the time, thus draining my battery slowly. I know any computer controlled car has a small draw at all times, but it should still be fine after only 2 weeks. I don't really understand how the CanBus technology works but I know my battery itself is good; and when running the voltmeter reads 13.9 to 14.1.... which is where it should be. I guess I just have to make sure I drive it at least once a week, and keep the battery charged with a trickle charger over the winter while she's not being driven at all.

[DYNAMITE44]

ok, so the connections are tight, but are they clean? i always hit the inside of the rings with steel wool and shine up the battery posts as well before reattaching. they may be tight, but if they're not clean, energy may not transfer well between the battery and the cables.

[yubyub]

My daily drive to and from work is about 8 miles through NYC. Over the weekend, I generally do local driving (chores, hardware store, etc) - maybe 15 miles in pieces of I'm lucky.

I was out of the country on business for two weeks recently. Got home, car started right up, no issues. I promptly drove to Brooklyn's best car wash (Car Spa, on Atlantic, for anyone who cares ).

I've had some other issues with my SRT-8, but the battery has been pretty good so far.

[yubyub]

Originally Posted by kevenj

My theory (which might be WAY off base!) is that one of the modules that controls some automatic function is not turning itself 'off' all the time, thus draining my battery slowly. I know any computer controlled car has a small draw at all times, but it should still be fine after only 2 weeks. I don't really understand how the CanBus technology works but I know my battery itself is good; and when running the voltmeter reads 13.9 to 14.1.... which is where it should be. I guess I just have to make sure I drive it at least once a week, and keep the battery charged with a trickle charger over the winter while she's not being driven at all.

You know, after re-reading this post, this rings a bell. I seem to remember a poster, perhaps 6 or 8 months ago, that had a similar problem - and it was indeed a CanBus attached controller which was not going to sleep properly, and was drawing enough current to kill the battery after an amount of time.

Sorry, couldn't find it in searches, but - as my wife often tells me - I'm not good at searching.

[Jaxon]

Originally Posted by yubyub

Sorry, couldn't find it in searches, but - as my wife often tells me - I'm not good at searching.

Some stuff you should just keep to yourself.