Is it a short, the battery or the starter or none?

GoBlue · Mar 22, 2010

2001 GT
My car wont start, and its a mystery to me. It super cold when it all began...

Optima Red Top Battery, had it charged twice, they say its OK

I threw in my Jeep battery and it seemed to start fine, sometimes it would need to be unplugged and put back on, but usually works

With my Optima battery it reads 10v on my gauge, even after a full charge. It sometimes can be jumped, and sometimes not. It usually clicks when I try to start it, or the engine slowly turns over.

What do you guys think it is? Im thinking about replacing the starter, but I dont know anymore. Thanks.

bhuff30 · Mar 22, 2010

Have you tried a different battery in the mustang? Have you tried jump starting the mustang using a different vehicle/battery?

I'm thinking your battery is bad. Throw in a different battery or try to jump start the car using another battery and you will quickly find out. If it starts, then you found the problem.

ninjastang125 · Mar 22, 2010

Mine did the same thing about a month ago, all I did was change my battery and it went away.

trinity_gt · Mar 22, 2010

GoBlue said:
Optima Red Top Battery, had it charged twice, they say its OK

Who is "they" and how did they make this determination? Did they put the battery on a load pile and check the terminal voltage while drawing a few hundred amps out of it? Do you have some sort of test sheet from them with the numbers on it?

I threw in my Jeep battery and it seemed to start fine, sometimes it would need to be unplugged and put back on, but usually works

Not sure what "..would need to be unpluged and put back on..." means. You mean the car would start fine and then not and just mucking about with the battery terminals would fix it again?

With my Optima battery it reads 10v on my gauge...

Which gauge?

, even after a full charge. It sometimes can be jumped, and sometimes not. It usually clicks when I try to start it, or the engine slowly turns over.

Do any of the battery leads get warm to the touch?

What do you guys think it is? Im thinking about replacing the starter, but I dont know anymore. Thanks.

I'm thinking the battery is kaput and/or the battery leads or chassis ground may be defective or corroded or loose or...

wmburns · Mar 22, 2010

+1 on everything above.

I frequently help ppl that tell me their battery is in good shape. However, they think nothing of the green corrosion cauliflowers growing on/in/around the battery terminals.

Make sure that all terminals and cables are clean and tight.

Bottom line. Today's cars simply will not run right without a strong battery and electrical system.

GoBlue · Mar 22, 2010

Thanks for the responses. Ive never had anything picked apart quite like that before, so it made me realize the inconsistencies in my post.

Sounds like the battery, bottom line.

GDawg · Mar 23, 2010

If you deep cycle that battery too many times then it's toast...

Kilgore Trout · Mar 23, 2010

An Optima battery (spiral cell battery) will fail if completely discharged. Did this happen? If so the battery is 95% likely yo be toast. Spiral cell batteries cannot be fully discharged, it ruins them.

Julia9802 · Mar 23, 2010

I'd say your battery is toast. The Optima's are the way to go, I have one in my 2000 Gt converted to Cobra, and it has been doing the SAME thing. time for a new battery!

GDawg · Mar 23, 2010

Kilgore Trout said:
An Optima battery (spiral cell battery) will fail if completely discharged. Did this happen? If so the battery is 95% likely yo be toast. Spiral cell batteries cannot be fully discharged, it ruins them.

At least not fully discharged (deep cycled) more than two or three times before it won't completely charge anymore.

Btw, you should be able to take the Optima back to the store for a new one at no cost.

GoBlue · Mar 30, 2010

Ive tried to return it, but they wont take it. Its still under warranty so what could I do with this thing? Do I need to call optima?

Is it a short, the battery or the starter or none?

GoBlue

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