Dead battery...

[auh]

As the windy city guys know, my car has had a lot of electrical problems and the first thing I was told to do was clean the transmission ground.

I did that to find I still have problems so I randomly thought, "Check my battery"

I went to pepboys and they told me I have a bad battery.

Would a bad battery cause my fuel pump or coil to not work properly?

Also, I wanna go for an Optima battery...What size should I get and whats the diff between red top, yellow top, and blue top?

Thanks

Adam

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

A bad battery might cause a fuel pump to not work. Particularly if it's not holding a charge--but then the starter wouldn't work, soooo....

The Optima comes in a correct size for our cars. I don't remember what size, it might be 42. There's a hold-down kit for a Chevy truck that works real well in our car, the Optima dealers can supply that.

Red top == normal Optima
Orange top == normal Optima with terminals switched + for - (may not be made any more?)
Yellow top == deep-cycle
Blue top == marine battery, also deep cycle but some other difference I cannot recall.

Any of them should be good.

--DD

[lapuwali]

I think the red top only comes in one size, and it fits our cars just fine. There's a plastic hold-down clamp that *should* come with the battery (triangular bit with a hole in it).

You may find the terminals are reversed, so you may have to stretch the cables a tad, but it will fit just fine. Have one in my car.

[srb7f]

The red top is the way to go, unless you've got LOTS of electrical accessories that you plan on running (TVs, massive stereos, etc) or letting the car sit for long periods of time between startup, which in that case a yellow top would be better. As Dave said, either will work just fine, as these are the best automotive batteries out there. If weight is an issue, the red top is slightly lighter than the yellow.
For installation, make sure you get adapters for both sides of the battery. I found that the normal red top worked geat for me when I ended up putting it in so that the terminals were closer to the side of the car (instead of the motor). That way, the terminals are out of the way from the engine cover lid and the + faces the rear of the car (where your + cable will reach).

[lmcchesney]

If the battery is Dead/Bad and is not old, why is it discharged? Need to check charging system/alternator to be sure the battery results in resolution.
L. McC

[auh]

idk if its an old battery, but it appears to have some years on it. As far as electronics, I will be running a 200 watt radio and radar detector.

Will a red top be sufficent for that?

Also, what size to I need?

Thanks

Adam