Trouble getting Walmart to replace my (N)Everstart battery

[Kyle_in_Tex]

I bought this battery last June, so it is 11 months old. It says free replacement for up to 3 years on the side as it is the Maxx version. It is in my daily driver Impala which I commute 65 miles each way to work and back. It is not a case of starting and stopping and restarting which can discharge a battery.

So the last 3 days I've noticed getting a bit weaker each day as I start the car in the morning. It barely started this morning so after driving 65 miles to work, I let it cool then checked voltages at lunchtime. It measured 12.4v with the engine off. After starting, it measured 14.4v so this tells me the alternator (which was replaced 4 months ago) is good. I checked voltage across the actual battery terminals so this tells me the cabling is good with the 14.4 reading while charging.

When I got to walmart after driving home 65 miles, their tester showed 12.6v and 650 cca. He said he couldn't replace it and I asked doesn't the low voltage mean anything? He said nope. I told him it should be closer to 13.2v and he said sorry, that they go by their machine which somehow checks cranking amps.

I think I know what to do to get another battery out of them but I'll post later to let you guys know the outcome.

 

[s219]

I think I know what to do to get another battery out of them but I'll post later to let you guys know the outcome.

Yeah, let it sit in the WalMart parking lot overnight, and then have them test it before it's been charged any by the alternator. I bet it will show a dropoff.

 

[shortthrow50]

probably not the battery. could be corroded line to the starter, or negative cable. could be starter going out.

 

[texasjohn]

had similar problem about a year ago...same symptoms...same test technique...same refusal to replace.

Just this week, I had a Walmart battery not recharge overnight on charger. 3 year free replacement, 3 months short of 3 years.....it did test bad but initial statement was that there was a new directive of some kind that would not allow them to honor the free replacement statement printed on the battery itself.... I muttered and grumbled and commented that I didn't think that was a game I wanted to play...that I could read what was clearly printed on the battery and I could read a calendar...3 months short of 3 years. I just kept standing there and after a while they brought out a replacement battery.

My tractor battery also went bad this week...about 9 years on the original battery...because of the recent Walmart experience, I checked with a local tire/battery shop...amazed to discover that the battery I needed was CHEAPER there than at Walmart...I think I've switched where I get batteries in the future:thumbsup:

 

[CurlyDave]

I usually get batteries at O'Reily auto parts (they also own Kragen and Schuck's). They associate the battery receipt with my phone number and any store can look it up on their computer.

I have had a few batteries replaced under warranty with no problems.

 

[bp fick]

The battery may or may not be your real issue, but nonetheless, my experience with WalMart, their batteries and their battery replacement policies has left me turned off. There are lots of better places to buy a battery.

 

[Western]

Only time I had to have WM replace one under warranty, it tested weak on the truck. All they asked me was if I had time for them to swap it out. I wonder if this is a store problem, regional or a company policy on their batteries? Maybe I was just lucky.

 

[Chuck52]

I've taken batteries in to at least two different Walmarts and had them replaced without even being tested. Must be my good looks.

Chuck

 

[grsthegreat]

most batteries left standing out of the vehicle usually read in the 12.5 volt range.

then again my wife once bought a pear of Jeans from Walmart that were mis labeled... i would have had to gain about 100# to fit into them. the label was obviously wrong but Walmart refused to return them.

that was about 5-6 years ago... and we have never stepped into that store since

 

[DefEddie]

Wal mart batteries are the lowest quality built by the lowest bidder.

In my personal experience (6yrs as a dealership electrical/driveability specialist,4yrs as a part time manager @ Autozone,10+yrs building/modifying custom vehicles) they are the worst battery.
I have gotten into more arguments with customers that were mad because it cost them $80 for me tell them their brand new walmart battery was the reason thier car had issues.
Like a few a month at least,same working nights at the parts store when I ask to test their battery for problems they have.
"but it was the best one" is always the argument.

I stopped using them long before I worked at the parts store or the dealer.
Ease of replacement is an issue depending on store and who's working.

ALL my personal vehicles use the Duralast gold series,which are 99% lead content with reinforced gridded plates-3yr free replace and 5 pro rated after that.
Built by Johnson Controls under contract for AZ.
Walmart is different builder depending on which is closest warehouse and lowest bidder as I understand it. Here it is Interstate pretty sure.
My warranty is good at any AZ so long as I don't forget my phone number (which is the only issue we run into with returns-no number/no warranty!

They do enough volume at such low cost/high markup that returns don't affect the bottom line.

I also have two of the Optima batteries,one in my lawnmower and one for racecar.
Johnson controls also builds these,though they are overkill unless it is for offroad or high vibration or heat location or need an AGM type battery for different mounting.

I keep all my vehicles away from wal mart. I've made thousands doing engine's because they can't replace a filter,drainplug and oil correctly.
We are small town (~10k pop) and for awhile we changed a couple engines a month almost.


Wal-mart aside,there is a chance it might not be the battery.
My wife drives an impala,and I have some experience in them.
(her car got SS cloned last year,about to finish up a new engine in it now-all coated and lightened internals,ported/polished/coated heads,manifold and supercharger etc...)

Impala's have issues with security system,ignition,and starter(no crank symptom)
Also fuel system restriction/fuel filter (long crank/hard start)
As well as intake manifold leaks into cylinder (hydrolock/hard starts)

I have the same tester in my box that walmart uses,as well as a ford unit.
Both are made by midtronics and fairly reliable.
Assuming a competent person,I would have it rechecked at autozone for free and go from there.

Sorry for the book,hope you figure it out.