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Dying battery?

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2018 charger Hellcat
#1
It was 40 degrees here early this morning when I got off work. I started her up no problem (via remote) got in to go home and the little red battery symbol was on. My battery gauge was reading 13.1 volts for the 15 mile drive home. When I got home I turned it off then restarted her up, the battery warning was gone,but it was still at 13.1 volts. I have the car since last April (a 2018 HC charger with 38k miles) I don't know if or when the battery has ever been changed) ,is the battery on its way out?
 


Slowpoke387

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#2
Sounds like it. Unless you’re using a tender frequently the average life of these batteries is roughly four yrs from my experience.
 


Hickster

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#3
I have a 2018 HC and have gone thru 3 batteries. I live in Florida and it maybe the heat but the car is garage kept. It has 14,000 miles and gone thru 3 already. Had to have the car professionally jumped, warranty, to get to the dealers. 12 miles of nothing but traffic lights. M6 and if I stall it need a jump. Problem is,, battery is in the trunk and no access. If you know how to climb thru the trunk or jump enough to open the trunk via the hood. My advise if already not said 4 times, a trickle charger does the trick. For me.
 


OP
Tonyacat
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Thread Starter #4
On my way to Autozone,car isn't dead yet, Hickster that is crazy 3 batteries, was there an overcharging issue? Slowpoke,I daily this vehicle so no external chargers are used.
 


Octanewide

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#5
On my way to Autozone,car isn't dead yet, Hickster that is crazy 3 batteries, was there an overcharging issue? Slowpoke,I daily this vehicle so no external chargers are used.
Hopefully that solves your problem.
 


Mike L.

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#6
On my way to Autozone,car isn't dead yet, Hickster that is crazy 3 batteries, was there an overcharging issue? Slowpoke,I daily this vehicle so no external chargers are used.
I just installed their top of the line battery. Some of your electronic accessories will do some funny things for a while but that will go away in short order. Seems like the body control module gets really pissed when you disconnect the battery.
 


BULL

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#7
My input is to upgrade to an AGM battery. I've had much better luck with AGM batteries in all of my vehicles.
 


MJS73

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#8
I have a 2018 HC and have gone thru 3 batteries. I live in Florida and it maybe the heat but the car is garage kept. It has 14,000 miles and gone thru 3 already. Had to have the car professionally jumped, warranty, to get to the dealers. 12 miles of nothing but traffic lights. M6 and if I stall it need a jump. Problem is,, battery is in the trunk and no access. If you know how to climb thru the trunk or jump enough to open the trunk via the hood. My advise if already not said 4 times, a trickle charger does the trick. For me.
Heat is far. far worse on a battery than cold.
 


BULL

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#9
Heat is far. far worse on a battery than cold.

Summer kills batteries, Winter buries them.
 


Catless

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#10
Alternator.
 


thetalonguy

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#11
My input is to upgrade to an AGM battery. I've had much better luck with AGM batteries in all of my vehicles.
Any links / brand suggestions for future reference? Sears Automotive had good brands on hand before going the way of the Dodo.
 


OP
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Thread Starter #12
Summer kills batteries, Winter buries them.
Your right, AutoZone tested the battery and it was good, but the alternator was very weak. I just had one put on this past December at the dealer. I dropped it off there and left my key in the dropbox. I hope they can fix it before I have to go to work at 4 pm today. They must have used a remanufactured part when they replaced it. Can anything else cause it to go bad again?
 


Hickster

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#13
I have been told by the dealer shit to start the car once a week to keep it charged. Nice. I have a garaged with the garaged door 4 layers insulated with the garage air conditioned to 74 degrees with a driving and or trickle charged on it constant. If this is not enough then the battery is a $200 plus costing from the dealer. This is way over the top and the alternator shows no codes. I have no idea but to understand the battery is coming from the factory as bad. A 2 year battery is a 2 year battery. Had the same problems with the GMs as to say a 2 year is a 2 year, When it goes bad it stops and that is that. No charge no jumping, dead is dead.
 


BULL

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#14
Your right, AutoZone tested the battery and it was good, but the alternator was very weak. I just had one put on this past December at the dealer. I dropped it off there and left my key in the dropbox. I hope they can fix it before I have to go to work at 4 pm today. They must have used a remanufactured part when they replaced it. Can anything else cause it to go bad again?
You dropped it where?

The dealership would not likely use a re-man part.

As for other reasons, there are many I suppose (like a bad starter) but they are also not likely.

To be honest, I don't have a good sense of what you have going on other than just bad luck with the replacement alternator?
 


OP
Tonyacat
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Thread Starter #15
Okay, here is the official verdict, I just picked up my HC at the service dept, the alternator was fine, the battery was fine, the issue....there was a bolt that fell out of the alternator and a wire was disconnected. The tech said he was starting to remove the alternator when he noticed the wire just hanging there. No biggie ,things happen :)
 


Prange

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#16
Nice to get lucky once in awhile.
 




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