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Jim
Grant has been working in the automotive industry for over twenty
years. In addition, Jim is an ASE Master Technician with advanced
L/1 certification. He works as manager and technician in his
family's automotive business in New Hampshire. He writes weekly
automotive consumer columns and is editor of an automotive newsletter
that is circulated throughout North America. |
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Jim Grant's Tech Tips
79
Chevy Chevette, Maintenance Free?
Q: I
need some information concerning no-maintenance automotive batteries.
I have always been told they cannot be recharged if they go down and that
they must be replaced. I bought a new Delco maintenance free battery in
April for my '79 Chevy Chevette. I've had trouble with starting and stalling
ever since the battery was installed. On two different visits to the garage
recently, I was told my battery was down and needed recharging. Why is
this new battery doing this when I have driven less than 1000 miles? Could
it be defective?
Due
to unfortunate circumstances I cannot use the car this winter. Will it
be all right to leave it in the car or would it be damaged by the cold
weather?
A: No,
it's not necessary to replace a battery when it gets low in charge. And
there's no problem with recharging a maintenance free battery. As for
the replacement battery being responsible for creating the stalling problem,
not likely. More likely, there are maintenance issues, other than the
battery, that need to be addressed. After all, the age of the vehicle
is a factor.
Driving
a vehicle less than 1000 miles a year? That, in itself, doesn't provide
the necessary electrical activity (recharging by the vehicle's alternator)
to properly maintain a battery's state of charge.
If
your Chevette is going to be parked for an extended period of time the
battery should be disconnected or removed and stored from the winter elements.
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