Bought a new battery, the one I had was getting weak, it was about 4 years old. I opted for the Duralast Platinum AGM battery. $50 cheaper than the Optima and comes with a mail in rebate. Doing a little research shows Johnson Controls makes both. Upon installation I replaced all the corroded connectors and got the top and side posts to make life a little easier for the plow wiring. Question:

1.) on the first turn the starter acted like it was engaged after the truck started. Luckily I
shut it off and have not had the same issue since on either hot or cold starts. Anyone else
have this?

 

Might be a sticking starter relay. If it does it again, just replace the relay. They are pretty cheap.

 

sticking relay? i would more than likely gamble on a sticking solenoid. it is a more common problem. starters never really wear out. they just stop getting the power they need to turn. $20 later and it could operate like a brand new starter again or you could just clean and grease the old contacts.

 

File them a bit as well.

Good point though. Could be either really, or even both.... Pick one, address it, see if it repeats. (I would start with the solenoid though, as that would be free....)

 

playing musical relays is also free and easier to do. if problem happens after that then you slide underneath and get dirty

 

You put a AGM in a truck???? Most AGM batteries are slow draw. Just checking.

 

Negative, at least in the Optima world, red top and yellow top batteries act in the same manner that typical batteries do. Blue top are dual purpose battery commonly used in boats for their deep cycle reserve capacity and their ability to be used for cranking. I have an AGM Optima blue top in my truck it's been great! 800 CCA is plenty to turn the engine over and the RC is nice so I don't have to worry if the truck will start after having work lights or the radio on for a while. Not to mention it handles all the jostling around from off-roading because there's no "liquid" inside.

 

I have a MotorCraft (i think) battery in my truck from who knows when, used to take it out and use it to crank the bro in laws truck when working on it. It's never failed

 

I've had a yellow top in my truck for about 3 years now, without any issues. And a friend with a red top in his jeep for 2 years. Don't see the issue other than the cost.

 

Oh a Optima...



MotorCraft batteries are the best in the world . Had one in the Dodge, that was made in 2004 and we had it till 2011. Now I've got a NAPA 75-mo warranty premium battery.