Battery Always Flat

[Digital]

Hey guys,

is it just me or is the battery in our libs really crap? or is it just the 2.5i? ever since i installed me amp and sub, if i have the stereo on without the car on, my battery pretty is dead the next time i start it up?? this doesn't sound right does it?

i've had to charge the car about 3 times now... once was this morning when i couldn't start the car for work...... so i was late... lol... maybe i left the map light on when i was installing something last night.... but yeah i'm really paranoid now..

should i get a better battery?

[tangcla]

Your battery is already stuffed after it's been discharged once. You'd need a new battery, it'll never be the same again.

[teK--]

The stock 2.5i battery is way too small. Upsize it:

viewtopic.php?f=12&t=6143

If you like to run your stereo with the engine off then I also suggest installing a voltage meter.

[Posseltperformance]

yeah get a kick arse Landcruiser Battery - I had one of these in my Celsior never had problems, something like $250 - $300 though

[Digital]

ooh thanks guys, tek, sorry didnt see ur post! thanks for that...

looks like i might eventually have to get a new one... sigh

[UrbanGTB]

Yep they are really crap, I just replaced the POS panasonic one today, found out its been throwing the codes on my ecu for the last 4 months. I put in a Super Charge from the Battery Factory and now the car runs heaps smooth and doesn't throw any codes. FYI the low voltage battery code is the same as a the ego sensor code

[Laps]

I can say that subaru batteries are terrible...

The battery in my subaru impreza (06) started dying after about a year... Lucky it was still under warranty.

In my current subaru, the previous owner explained a story about the old battery and it was exactly the same as what happened to me in my impreza...

Seems like a common problem

[teK--]

I wouldn't necessarily blame the battery. It's also down to the driving pattern as well which will affect how often the battery is cycled and how much it is allowed to run low.

[lammi]

hi guys, long time reader, first time poster!

haha, omg. I wish I read this thread last night. I "just" got my MY07 lib today and went to the drive in cinema at coburg..
after the movie, I couldn't start the car.. was damn embarassing.. since I told my friends how excited I was about getting this car and all.. and the first night it wouldn't start!

LaMMi

[EJ25]

I wouldn't necessarily blame the battery. It's also down to the driving pattern as well which will affect how often the battery is cycled and how much it is allowed to run low.

what types of driving patterns? Mines been flat a couple of times, but just enough to tick over. And now, ive just decided i change the whole battery cause i cant be bothered.

[swingn]

Batteries in the N/A models as standard are smaller then the ones in the GT (For some reason).

Since you running things like amps etc, just change the battery

Something like an Optima Yellow top is probably your best bet

[jp928]

First,
how old is the battery? If its anyhwere past 3 years, thats it buster. Cant expect too much more. If not, try to find out how much is being pulled out by your amp etc, which you think is flattening it. You will need a meter capable of reading 10A probably, with a fuse. disconnect earth from batter pole, fit meter in series between battery -ve and earth lead, with firm tight connections. Then turn on AMP etc and see what shows. if its more than 5A,for any length of time, that may be it. Also, with nothing running at all, see if there is any current flowing with meter still connected. If its more than 100Ma (0.10 A), you should find out whats pulling it - pull and replace fuses one at a time until you see the flow reduce - the item(s) on this fuse are pulling current. You need to do this with all lights (open doors?) etc OFF!!
When you do replace the battery, get the BIGGEST one that will fit in the space. I have noticed that the battery in my GTB is a lot bigger than that in the Outback.
jp 08 gtb 6mt wagon.

[teK--]

I wouldn't necessarily blame the battery. It's also down to the driving pattern as well which will affect how often the battery is cycled and how much it is allowed to run low.

what types of driving patterns? Mines been flat a couple of times, but just enough to tick over. And now, ive just decided i change the whole battery cause i cant be bothered.

The worst is either short irregular trips, or stop start driving where you are regularly stopped or moving at very low speeds. The amount of amps put out by the alternator is roughly proportional to engine rpms, so you can imagine there is not much battery charging at idle since most of the power is running the engine and accessories.

Getting just a bigger battery is not the solution if it doesn't get charged. You may need a bigger alternator or trickle charger depending how big your stereo is.

[lammi]

oh wow.. I was out working on the audio system today (disconnecting all the previous nokia junk) and left the music going while I did it.. it was for only about 40 minutes tops! and I couldn't start the car after that..

is 40 minutes on the low side? or should I be expecting more out of this battery? I remember on my old 1995 corolla I can sit in the car and listen to music for ages and it won't drain that much!

LaMMi

[teK--]

40mins seems a long time depending on how loud you were listening to the stereo. Also if you had doors open the lights are lit up etc.