Help!!! Starting issues????

[mikey1951]

I have had intermittent issues for a few weeks of the 08/EX failing to start. Sluggish to start (not turning over) or not starting at all. Jump off and it will start right up and run fine. Will start again without jumping within a few hours. Overnight it is a crap shoot if it will start. Today it cranked sluggishly but started up and let it run for about 5-10 minutes. Couple of hours later no start - won't turn over but 1 or 2 turns then nothing.

Voltmeter = 13.6V at terminals with battery disconnected. Ran drainage test - ok. Good voltage > 15.3 while running. The delivery date is Dec/o8 so the battery is 60 months old of a 84 month battery. Local Honda dealer has been doing free maintenance (oil/filter change) inspections with the last one in June/13 but upon my attempt to diagnose my issues I found the cells dry. Filled with distilled water and it cranked ok for 2 days - until this am.

Got good bright headlights - seat motor runs normally.

I talked by phone to Infinity service this morning and they advised me the car may have a technical update or need an ecu evaluation/reflash. Sounds like a bunch of hooey to me. Don't want to buy a new battery if there are issues I can't diagnose.

Help Help please!!
Thx

[Audimontreal]

Hi Mike
I do not know where you are from but if it is a cold place like here in Montreal a battery life is significantly reduced with our winters so the cold can be a factor

I presume you could benefit from a brand new battery. I would stick to a quality brand like interstate
How about you inquire the cost of a new battery from the dealership first and in case there is a significant price difference just purchase one and have the dealer update the ECU by re flashing and updating the latest software

Keep us posted

[mikey1951]

ok - issue solved! Cold cranking amps were low at 127 where it should have been 550. I managed to jump it off and made it to the Honda dealership (where purchased used) to have maintenance & oil change. Replaced with Platinum series Diehard (270$) and good to go.

[Audimontreal]

Good

[mikey1951]

Man, I think the stealerships think we are morons suggesting a visit to their service shop charging a diagnostic fee of 105$ just to tell me my battery is dead. Got the diagnosis for free during oil change/maintenance visit. ECU reflash,technical updates WTF?? It would have been a 400-500$ visit to the stealership to replace with another substandard Infinity OEM battery.

Lesson learned - just venting!!

[Audimontreal]

I know the feeling trust me...with my audi as soon as my warranty expired I said to myself let me give the dealer an other shot when I started having antifreeze leaking

The service manager told me you know those German engineered cars require at least a 3hrs labor in order to reach the gasket to replace
I decided to visit a local independent Audi garage and he did not charge me a dime besides the $5 gasket and it took him less than 10 min

Same thing for brakes suggesting I needed to replace all 4 discs and rotors which was complete bull...
So since then I never ever go to the stealership unless it is under warranty

I do understand that they need to make Money but this is simply wrong and pure stealing!

[mikey1951]

Lets start an occupy dealership movement!!!LOL

[adamheadtrip]

Anyone have any experience with Interstate Batteries? My 2010 Rogue's battery just turned 4 years old and with these cold Upstate New York winters, the Rogue is struggling to start some mornings. I'm thinking of taking it in to the local Valvoline to have an Interstate Mega Tron II or Mega Tron Plus installed. Is the 100 CCA of the Mega Tron Plus (640 CCA total) worth $20 extra? $130 USD for battery and install seemed reasonable, though batteries are not my strong suit.

[XIS]

I have heard good things about Interstate batteries. Good reputation here in the desert.

[mikey1951]

Have one in my roadster - no issues

[Audimontreal]

Interstate is one the BEST batteries you can get!

OEM is crappy lol
infiniti-batteries-t553608.html