Dead Battery?

[Bunty]

Hey everyone -

This morning I tried to start my 2011 Escalade and the dash lights came on, the gauges went back and forth but it wouldn't even turn over. The infotainment screen lit up and I could see the time reset to 12 which would mean the battery is dying. As I used the keyfob to lock and unlock the door I could see it went from working every time to working sometimes, indicating a dying battery I assume. I could see on the DIC that the battery voltage said 7, when driving it's usually 14-15 I think but I never checked it before starting the vehicle. Is that normal?

This is the original battery so it's 6 years old and I never had a hint of laggy start or that the battery was dying before.

I didn't have time to test it more because I had to go to work. Does this sound like a dead battery? Should I just grab a new one and replace it?

Should I grab an OEM one from the dealer or one from AutoZone or something?

 

[iamdub]

Could be a poor cable connection. Check all of them, starting with the terminals on the battery. If it's loose or even the least bit questionable, disconnect it and make sure the contacting surfaces are clean then bolt it back down firmly. Do you have a volt meter? You could check the voltage on the terminals of the battery. But, if all of your cables and connections are clean and solid and the battery shows 12 volts, it could still be a bad battery. It may have 12 volts with no load on it, but drops to single-digit voltages under load (door lock solenoids, fuel pump, starter (the biggest load), etc.

I'm partial to Interstate and Super Start (O'Reilly's house brand) batteries. I personally, as well as many people I know, have experienced defective OEM AC Delco batteries and I would advise you get a better battery (and most likely cheaper with better warranty) than what you' get from a dealer.

 

[Scooty]

If you got 6 years out of a battery you got your money's worth...time for a new one.

 

[DenaliEd]

Most auto parts stores can test your battery and give you a "health assessment". I had mine tested and it was in its last quarter of life, I opted to buy a new one, because it was October and I didn't want any problems over the winter. I put in an Interstate.

 

[Bunty]

Thanks for the input guys, I will look at it and get it replaced this evening.

 

[American Dream]

Bad battery. I just replaced mine on my '02 Silverado. I was able to squeak out 7 years from the O'RIELY Super Start.

 

[2011SSVHOE]

I'm partial to Interstate and Super Start (O'Reilly's house brand) batteries. I personally, as well as many people I know, have experienced defective OEM AC Delco batteries and I would advise you get a better battery (and most likely cheaper with better warranty) than what you' get from a dealer.

All batteries are made under local contract . Johnson Controls Has a plant here in Winston-Salem NC. They make Interstate and other brands at one time they had a contract with Delco. When I worked at the Mercedes Dealer they imported the lead battery from Germany and charged over 200 bucks for it and that was 25 years ago.

I would try cleaning and tightening your connections. I have a truck that I put a battery in over ten years ago, about five years ago it wouldn't start I cleaned the terminals and trickle charged it and it still is good. I think I got that one at Autozone. I'VE gotten over seven years out of a Delco GM battery that I got at Kmart for a buick I had to me they are about the same.

 

[Bunty]

I got a new battery and everything is all good now!

Thanks guys!

 

[iamdub]

All batteries are made under local contract . Johnson Controls Has a plant here in Winston-Salem NC. They make Interstate and other brands at one time they had a contract with Delco.

This is true. Interstate batteries are made by JC and have been for a long time. O'Reilly's Super Start batteries are still made by East Penn/Deka and have been for a while. Autozone's batteries are too hit-or-miss with who actually supplies them. I don't know who is currently making them and I really don't care. Their service otherwise sucks (at least in my area) so I just avoid them altogether. The Delco battery that came in my 2002 S10 and GMT800 trucks was recalled and soon after that they changed the design/went with another supplier. My neighbor recently had to have one of his brand-new Delcos replaced in his diesel. I'm not forming my opinion of the brand from these incidents, especially since they're spread out over years. But, if I were battery shopping, I'd go with a safer bet that also happens to be cheaper.

 

[NGAneer]

Six years is a long time out of a battery. I'd still check cable connections and voltage during cranking. Still, probably a new battery is in store.