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SMALLER BATTERY, DOES THIS CAUSE STARTING PROBLEMS?

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Old Feb 2, 2004 | 12:53 AM
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From: Rockville, MD, U.S.A
[bold] SMALLER BATTERY, DOES THIS CAUSE STARTING PROBLEMS?

ive been having a problem starting my car lately and i think its my battery. now hears the story... i put a 51r size battery i bought from an advance auto parts store in about 8 months ago with my greddy front mount. now i blew the engine several days afterwards and let it sit with the battery connected for months until it died eventually while connected. i then swapped the engine and used the same battery. its starts up fine if i sit for a period of time like i dunno about 30mins, but if i start it then turn it off then imediately try to start it again it doesnt start... now if i leave it and then try to start it again after a period of time itll start up. its been cold and icy here so i dont drive it too much but how much must i drive to charge up the battery. also i did check that the battery was connected securely and properly (but who knows im and dumass sometimes). now i lack some simple knowledge in certain areas, so it may be something so simple that i should know. any help would be so appreciated.

1. could it be because the battery is too small
2. is it because i let my battery died and i let it sit there dead for months?
3. could it be the starter cut relay ot maybe the starter solinoid.
4. is it the weather.

if its just because the battery is gone and i have to get a new one ill kick myself, haha. any info would help guys, thanks yall.

eugene
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Old Feb 2, 2004 | 08:20 AM
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i forgot to mention that my water level sensor warning is going off for new reason, even though i bought a new one, its connected and the water is full in the filler neck.
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Old Feb 2, 2004 | 08:20 AM
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i forgot to mention that my water level sensor warning is going off for no reason, even though i bought a new one, its connected and the water is full in the filler neck.
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Old Feb 2, 2004 | 10:35 AM
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Car Batteries do not like to be deep discharged - they like to get charge-cycled frequently - letting it sit for 8months may have killed it, but try putting it on a low rate (2-6amp) automatic type charger for 12-24 hours. Then check the voltage. it should charge up to around 14 volts while on the charger and hold at least 12.6v w/ no load, if it drops to less than about 11.8 volts while cranking the engine, it needs to be replaced.

I receintly revived a battery that had been sitting in our barn for approx 4 years by having it charge at around 1 amp for about 3 days

Last edited by maxpesce; Feb 2, 2004 at 10:39 AM.
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Old Feb 2, 2004 | 10:42 AM
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I have this same problem. Installed an HKS fmic and at the same time put a 51r in it. Car has been sitting for about 4 months with the new battery and i have to jump it EVERY time i start the car.
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Old Feb 3, 2004 | 03:27 AM
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From: Rockville, MD, U.S.A
tookwik
did you have to jump it every time after letting it sit for 4 months or it happened for as long as youve had it??\

maxpesce
thanks, im assuming theyll have it at the nearby auto parts store, right.
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Old Feb 3, 2004 | 08:54 AM
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They have already answered the battery question, so I'll take a stab at the coolant sensor question. There is a second sensor and the wire goes across the top of the engine block. Many people (including myself) forget to plug that in during engine install.
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Old Feb 3, 2004 | 10:37 AM
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From: Ventura CA USA
Originally posted by EugeneChoe

....
maxpesce
thanks, im assuming theyll have it at the nearby auto parts store, right.
I assume you are reffering to the battery charger? Yes any Auto Parts store will have some - I got all 3 of mine from Sears, I have a 2 amp trickel charger that I used on my Motorcycle, and for topping up the FD battery (51r) a 6amp automatic Charger that will put in enough charge to so start a car in 1-2 hr and fully charge a DEEP CYCLED batery in 24hr, at the Barn we have a big guy that will charge @40amps and will provide 140amps Boost for starting.

for your needs a 6 or 10 amp Automatic type should be fine.
a higher rate (20-40 amp) will charge the battery quicker but can easily Overcharge the battery and cause the electrolite to boil out ruining the battery

Last edited by maxpesce; Feb 3, 2004 at 10:45 AM.
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Old Feb 3, 2004 | 01:41 PM
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bring the battery back to advanced..they can test it...and those battery's have warranty's...i have a friend that works there and even if i didn't have a receipt..they can look it up in the computer..good luck
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Old Feb 3, 2004 | 02:51 PM
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From: Rockville, MD, U.S.A
wow thanks for all the advise, i totally appreciate it.
trexthe3rd is the sensor your talking about the one that plugs in to the coolant neck? if it is im sure i plugged that one in. is there another one somewhere else. my temperture sensor works, but i didnt know there was another coolant level sensor, where is it?? ill check it. thanks yall
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Old Feb 3, 2004 | 07:20 PM
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I'll be installing the Hawker mini battery soon and have considered starting probs too. Although lots of rx7 specific stores sell it I just don't know yet. Anyone here have one?
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Old Feb 3, 2004 | 07:27 PM
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i just installed one last weekend...don't notice a difference. But only time will tell. I think I should be fine because I drive my Fd everyday.

Just in case...this is the best deal I found.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2457173624
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Old Feb 3, 2004 | 08:13 PM
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i have a hawker mini... when its cold its a little hard to start... if i let it sit one day and its FREEZING out then it usually needs a jump... (mostly in part cause im running a haltech) if i were on stock ecu im sure it cranks enough to start, the haltech just sucks for cold start
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