Battery question??

[cajundohboy]

Hello all,
I have an 2004 Titan LE. I bought it used from someone last year around April, which the guy had kept it in immaculate condition. Anyway, about a week after I got it I was washing it, and had the headlights set to automatic, and when the sun had starting going down a little the headlights kicked on. I didn't realize the lights were that sensitive. I was playing my radio and I have Fosgate system, but I gotta say it wasn't even half an hour and when I went to start the truck, nothing but clicking so I had to jump it off. I found that to be sorta odd, but the headlights were on so I thought that had something to do with it. Well, about a month ago it did the same thing, only now I don't have the lights set to automatic anymore, and I only listened to the radio maybe 20 minutes. After this time I went to Autozone and had them check my battery and it tested OK. I didn't have them test the altinator tho. This last time, I went to the local casino to eat and parked valet. Well, my wife is waiting for the truck as I go to get her something to drink. I get back and she says they haven't moved my truck, it won't start. WTF....it started fine to come here. I didn't bring it anywhere yet to get checked. I am past the 36,000 mile mark but I do have an extended warranty. The only thing, I brought it to the Nissan shop where it was purchased from before for something, and they charged me half of the labor since there was no part involved (I tried to argue my point about having an extended warranty and asked what the hell did I spend my money on since I still have to pay). Anyway, I was wondering if anyone out there might have any suggestions for me since this was easier to get to instead of taking off time from work to go to the Nissan service dept. Thanks in advance, and sorry for the long post.

[centex_titan]

I have and 04 too and my battery did the same thing. took it to the dealership and they said that one of the cells were going out. i bought a new one from the parts dept. for 90 bucks and havent had any problems since

[chunko]

Stock batteries are known for sucking donkey dong...you're best off just going out and buying a quality battery. I'd go to a place that will test your old battery to make sure that is the problem, and not something else in your electrical system.

[Potroast]

If you're gonna spend even close to $100 for a "stock" battery just go get an Optima RedTop, (or the equivelant Exide Orbital). They can be had under $125 and they'll kill an OEM-style battery.

[bestatchess]

Perhaps your expectations for a three year old OEM battery are a bit high. The Titan battery terminals are reversed, so you need to get a reversed terminal battery or do a little adaptation. Optima makes a reverse terminal red top.

[Clint]

Nissan batteries are not maintenance free. You need to keep the level topped off. I always replace them after the third year to be safe. The warranty on most oem batteries is only 12 months, so the extended warranty doesn't help here. A Sears Diehard battery is fine and has never failed me, Optimas are great and can be found in Costco stores.

Clint

[Kronos1965]

Originally Posted by centex_titan

I have and 04 too and my battery did the same thing. took it to the dealership and they said that one of the cells were going out. i bought a new one from the parts dept. for 90 bucks and havent had any problems since

I need to go to your dealership!

I had two different service stations and Autozone test the battery to say the same thing but the dealership twice said the battery was fine on my 04

I bought an Optima Red Top and was done with the hassle.

[John Harden]

You're due for a new battery. I'd recommend the one below.

http://www.odysseybatteries.com/battery/pc1700mjt.htm

I think I paid about $230 or so for it. Actually I bought two. One to mount in the bed as part of a dual battery setup and the second for under the hood.

Nice thing about this battery is it slips right down into your existing battery location and you can even re-use the stock, battery hold down "pinch clamp".

The positive terminal is also on the correct side and up close to the edge of the battery allowing your positive cable to slip right on. Posts are standard type with a bonus of a threaded middle.

Regards,

John

[cajundohboy]

Hey guys,
thanks for all of your replies. I will have my battery checked out along with a couple of other things just to be sure. Hopefully it is only the battery that needs to be changed.

[chunko]

Originally Posted by John Harden

You're due for a new battery. I'd recommend the one below.

http://www.odysseybatteries.com/battery/pc1700mjt.htm

I think I paid about $230 or so for it. Actually I bought two. One to mount in the bed as part of a dual battery setup and the second for under the hood.

Nice thing about this battery is it slips right down into your existing battery location and you can even re-use the stock, battery hold down "pinch clamp".

The positive terminal is also on the correct side and up close to the edge of the battery allowing your positive cable to slip right on. Posts are standard type with a bonus of a threaded middle.

Regards,

John

That's pretty pricey for a battery...no?

What's the benefit to spending this kinda $$$?

[rcantu]

not if it keeps you stranded. an optima is about $150. you could go with the 1200mjt model instead though. I had it but I upgraded the sounds. that should be in the price of the optima.

Originally Posted by adavis99

That's pretty pricey for a battery...no?

What's the benefit to spending this kinda $$$?

[John Harden]

Adavis99 it's like anything else, you get what you pay for. You might click on that link I posted and read up on the Odyssey batteries.

In short, they are dry cell, dual use batteries in that they are BOTH a starting and deep cycle battery. They are also built for extreme use and have MilSpec high vibration resistance.

They also come with a non pro-rated warranty, which means if it fails during the warranty period for any reason, you get a replacement free of charge.

Are they the best batteries in the world. I doubt it, though they are extremely good. Mine in the bed is mounted on its side, which they are designed for.

Optima's are good batteries too as are the ProComp's, and all the other dry cell types. They don't quite have the power of the Odyssey's but they are still very good. You many not need all this power or care about the warranty, so it may not be the best choice for you. I particularly liked how the 1700 just slid right in and clamped down using the existing tray and clamping system.

For me, I need the power due to all the power accessories I routinely use (winch, 600watts of lights, freezer/fridge). My Engel fridge pulls 2.6 amps and with the truck off all night it will pull a normal battery down. Gotta keep the beer cold now don't we?

The Odyssey I chose can provide 3.6 amps for over 20 hours before dropping to 10 volts, which is plenty of power for me.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

John

[TitanBlue]

Originally Posted by John Harden

For me, I need the power due to all the power accessories I routinely use (winch, 600watts of lights, freezer/fridge). My Engel fridge pulls 2.6 amps and with the truck off all night it will pull a normal battery down. Gotta keep the beer cold now don't we?

The Odyssey I chose can provide 3.6 amps for over 20 hours before dropping to 10 volts, which is plenty of power for me.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

John

How do you have that fridge mounted? Anything fancy? Thought of puttting something in for traveling, like under the middle bench seat if customized somehow.

Great input on the Odyssey, I wish I needed some now. But I will get them for a dual battery upgrade later on.

[John Harden]

TitanBlue the fridge is a pretty large one (Engel 60 Combi) so I mounted it in the bed of the truck. It sits on a large, pull out tray that fills the bed. The tray rides in and out on ball bearing slides rated to 500 lbs. I made it out of baltic birch plywood with a polyurethane finish to stand up to the elements. I just plug the fridge into the power outlet in the bed, which is always hot even with the ignition off. Works pretty slick. I also mounted my Source, CO2 tank and other stuff back there.

The Retrax bed cover covers everything up nicely.

Hard to describe, but I can post pics if you're want to see.

Regards,

John

[MuskyHunter]

Hey John,

Post a few pic's of that bed/freezer set up. I would like to see that.