Trouble getting Walmart to replace my (N)Everstart battery

[Dr Dave]

Check fuel pressure regulator, remove vacuum hose from port on regulator and see if fuel is leaking out. This is a common problem on GM's, will cause hydrolock, hard start. Most of the time this is not found, untill plastic intake manifold is blown into a hundred pieces.:laughing:

 

[Bird]

I think the reason it is hanging in there is because the car gets daily long drives which charges the battery fully.

Probably no similarity, but this reminds me of a fellow who used to work for me and he bought a new Pontiac. He drove it work 5 days a week, Monday thru Friday, and it sat in the driveway Saturday and Sunday. Every Monday morning, the battery would be so weak it could barely start the car and sometimes not at all. But the dealer kept checking the battery and alternator and they always checked good. They finally figured out that something was drawing a tiny bit of current all the time; not enough to notice unless the car sat without running for 2 days. And eventually, they found it was a defective cigarette lighter. It drew current continuously, but never enough to blow the fuse.

 

[DefEddie]

Never pull the battery cables off a computer controlled car to check an alternator!
Besides the battery being an input for the regulator,the battery acts as a buffer for the sensitive electronics.
It worked as a test on early model cars,but I strongly advise against it on computer controlled vehicles.

 

[Bird]

Never pull the battery cables off a computer controlled car to check an alternator!
Besides the battery being an input for the regulator,the battery acts as a buffer for the sensitive electronics.
It worked as a test on early model cars,but I strongly advise against it on computer controlled vehicles.

This reminds me of when the auto manufacturers first started using alternators instead of generators. Of course we had an auto parts store at the time, so we threw a little BBQ and invited all the mechanics in town to the BBQ and to hear an alternator manufacturer rep explain the differences between generators and alternators. I'll never forget him mentioning that mechanics have for years shorted across the two contacts on generators to see if they were working and he said you can do that with an alternator, too. If you get a spark, you'll know it was working until you did that.:laughing:

 

[jmurray01]

This reminds me of when the auto manufacturers first started using alternators instead of generators. Of course we had an auto parts store at the time, so we threw a little BBQ and invited all the mechanics in town to the BBQ and to hear an alternator manufacturer rep explain the differences between generators and alternators. I'll never forget him mentioning that mechanics have for years shorted across the two contacts on generators to see if they were working and he said you can do that with an alternator, too. If you get a spark, you'll know it was working until you did that.:laughing:

:laughing: Yeah, WAS!

Apart from the obvious reason not to disconnect a battery from a running modern car, you are also putting an immense strain on the alternator by forcing it to power the electricals (fuel pump etc...) on it's own with no help from the battery should you disconnect it. Just like running a car with a dead (dead as in dead as a door nail, not flat) battery.

 

[Hooked_on_HP]

I run Walmart batteries in every thing I own. The main reason being that wherever I am I can find a walmart. I have never had a problem getting one replaced. I have even had batteries replaced that were not bad. Just dead from leaving somthing on. Jusr make sure the battery is dead when you take it in to get it checked.
Bill

 

[brucewj]

Just got back from a trip to see the MIL. My wife's car barely started, but she thought she had left the interior light on, so we made the trip. I got up yesterday morning and the car was slow to start, so I drove it to the Wal Mart super center close to the hotel and told them I wanted a new battery.

About 15 minutes later the Tech guy said it was done, and that he was able to give me $40 credit for my old battery.

Wal Mart has worked well for me.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Glad to see you guys have had better luck than me. I guess I'm too nice. Told the minimum wage guy to give me his cell number so that when its dead I can call him to bring me a battery....

 

[shortthrow50]

[edited to stay out of misinformation conversation

 

[Skyco]

I've had pretty good luck with WalMart batteries- have 2 in my 96 Powerstroke right now. Like others I like the ability to hit a WalMart anywhere if there is a problem with them.
I also have several of their deep cycle marine batteries, some are 6 years old and still work pretty well.
I have never had any batteries last as long as the Motorcrafts that came in my truck though...originals I replaced at 9 years because I was getting antsy over their age..the replacements from Sam's were shot in 2 years, but they replaced them free. That set made it just over 3 and I now have WalMart batteiries in there....we'll see.