2005 T&C Limited 3.8L, 75,000 miles.

This vehicles is on its 2nd battery and now possibly third in less then 4 years. Dealer said charging system is ok and made no mention of battery problems w/ the 25 point inspection just last week. My Pacifica did basically the same thing.....after 2.5 years, battery is toast. These cars eat up batteries. There are 10+ interior lights, electric doors/hatch, and all sorts of electric goodies. The problem to me seems to be insufficient battery size. Looks like I can't put a bigger battery in because either no room or because of the battery blanket or both. Is the battery blanket just that or are there electrodes on it for temp sensing?

Has anyone successfully put in a larger battery with higher reserve capacity in either the same size group 34 or larger battery? My wife can't even listen the the radio on accessory or the van won't start after 10 minutes or so.

What brand batteries have you used?
Does anyone have this problem where if the doors are left open for a while (15 minute limit) or listen to the radio only to have the car not start?

If this is going to happen every 2 years, I am half tempted to buy a Costco Kirkland battery(Made by Johnson Controls) and take advantage of the 3 year free replacement because the last Interstate battery did not last the 75 months. Interstate won't warranty it since I am second owner and my uncle (who I bought the van from) lives too far away to exchange it for me.

What do you guys think?
Thanks
Fixit

 

In my history with Mopars, which is all I have ever owned, I have never had a battery drain problem as you have described. I guess that either you really do have a charging issue, bad luck with cheap batteries or you have a current draw somewhere in the system. If you are somewhat electrical savy, you can pinpoint current draw with an ammeter and some time. If it was me, I would see what your current draw is when you are in the acc mode.

 

Thanks.. that is the only thing I have not tried yet. I have an ammeter, i'll see if I can check this weekend on both cars. though many on another forum have the same problem with Pacificas. Good point about checking while in accessory mode.

Fixit

 

OK.... I charged up the battery last night for about 4 hours at 20 amps. Car started fine. resting voltage was 12.7 a 1/2 hour after charged. Today wife called to say van would not start so I stopped off at Costco and got a 1000 CA, 875 CCA battery. The voltage on the old batter was 10.5 before I removed it. Here is my ammeter tests after the new install........

Resting - .05 A
Door open interior lights off, odometer on(shows miles when door is open) .95 A
Key in Accessory w/ radio and dvd changer on (FM station), no interior lights 4.3 A
Key in Accessory w/ radio and DVD changer off, no interior lights 4.13 A
Key in Accessory w/ radio and DVD playing (screen on) 5.6 A
Key off, interior lights only 7.5 A (9 lights total)
Key in Accessory, radio on, interior lights on, 10.86 A

The ammeter I have maxes out at 20 amps for 30 seconds but has a slow blow 12 Amp fuse so when I tried the key to the on position, with lights and radio, it blew the fuse so this is all the testing I can do with this meter. I don't think any of these #'s are unusual. Resting draw seems OK. The killer is the interior lights which are programmed to turn off after 15 minutes if a door is left open. The radio is the nav radio so I don't know if the nav DVD spins while listening to the radio and not navigating. The wife does leave a door or two open when waiting for friends, loading 3 kids and gear. She is going to turn interior lights off especially if she will be listening to the radio and waiting for someone for periods of time. We shall see how it goes. In any event, Costco has a 3 year free replacement and 100 months pro-rate.


Fixit

 

if your batteries keep dying go to wal-mart and grab an "EverStart" battery, they usually have really good life

we use everstart batteries in all of our vehicles and two of them have powerful amps (drawing 30-50A) in the back that we listen to in the parking lot(engine not running) for maybe a good half hour and it doesnt loose charge

so everstart batteries are a good idea but you might still have to practice energy saving

 

I'll keep that in mind, thanks.

 

This came from my 2001 Dakota/Durango FSM (will vary somewhat from your T&C), but at least in gives some reference of typical current draws.

 

Thanks United.. I often tell people to read their manual.. maybe I should do the same

I have the FSM for the Van

Fixit