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25 Posts
The weather here in Alabama has been colder than usual. My element has been acting like it doesnt like the cold very much. A month or so ago I noticed the car didnt turn over as fast as it had been when cranking. It still turned over fine but just not as strong. I had a Duralast Gold battery in there that was exactly 1 1/2 years old. I put it in myself. I kept driving the car the next month or so and it cranked every time, but it always seemed weaker. One night while driving, my battery light on my dash flashed for just a sec then went away. The next day, I took it to Autozone to have it tested. First, the guy complimented on how clean my engine bay is. I told him I constantly wipe it down due to my OCD. Lol He then tested the battery which checked out fine and then he tested my alternator. He said it was working perfectly. With no answers and the guy saying he couldnt swap the battery...I left. The next day, the car would not crank in the morning and I jumped it off. I immediately went to the store and bought an Optima Gold because I have one in my del sol and I know they are quality and very strong. The first day, the car cranked SO fast. After a day or two, the Element seemed to be a lil sluggish when 1st cranking the car in the morning. The rest of the day was fine. I keep the car in my garage so its not out in the 20 degree weather. Yesterday, it barely turned over when I was leaving for work at 7am. I tried again and it cranked. I drove straight to Advance Auto and asked the guy to check the battery and alternator. I got a printout of the battery test and it checked out perfect. He said the alternator was putting out like it should. I think the numbers on the alternator were 14 something. So, I left and it cranked fine the rest of the day. This morning, it almost did not crank. I am going to check today for any loose connections and what not. Any ideas what I should do or check. I DO NOT want to have to leave the car at an auto place if its something I can check myself. I used the SEARCH feature and read up on others battery problems but from what I read...most problems were fixed with a new battery. Well, I just bought a new top of the line battery and my car is struggling to crank in the morning with this 20-30 degree weather. I have checked to make sure interior lights are in the OFF position and I have no extras like big stereos etc. Sorry for the story book but I wanted to give all the info I had before anyone advises me. I would appreciate any ideas...thanks