Home  |  Forums  |  914 Info  |  Blogs
 
914World.com - The fastest growing online 914 community!
 
Porsche, and the Porsche crest are registered trademarks of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG. This site is not affiliated with Porsche in any way.
Its only purpose is to provide an online forum for car enthusiasts. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
 

Welcome Guest ( Log In | Register )

> Optima blew out...... took the temp gauge with it............., Battery shorted out on its own........couple of issues
avidfanjpl
post Apr 10 2012, 02:45 AM
Post #1


914 Hemophiliac
***

Group: Members
Posts: 720
Joined: 6-April 10
From: Bear, Delaware
Member No.: 11,566
Region Association: MidAtlantic Region
19 Months and one day Orangina will not start, and I mean no lights of any kind. Got my Schumacher charger out, and it said it had a short in the Optima battery.

Now the directional switcher doesn't work in the tack, the center console clock and voltmeter are fine. The temp gague stopped working. I have one of those $40 temp gauge that is the oil stick, and on Sunday, a hot day, I took it at 2 for a 65 mile jaunt across LA and SBDO. Temp stayed at 225.

Any ideas on the gauge or the tach directional box? Think that is on the inside of the fuse panel.

THANKS!

John
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
 
 Reply to this topicStart new topic
Replies(1 - 14)
Bartlett 914
post Apr 10 2012, 06:33 AM
Post #2


Advanced Member
****

Group: Members
Posts: 2,216
Joined: 30-August 05
From: South Elgin IL
Member No.: 4,707
Region Association: Upper MidWest
QUOTE(avidfanjpl @ Apr 10 2012, 03:45 AM) *

19 Months and one day Orangina will not start, and I mean no lights of any kind. Got my Schumacher charger out, and it said it had a short in the Optima battery.

Now the directional switcher doesn't work in the tack, the center console clock and voltmeter are fine. The temp gague stopped working. I have one of those $40 temp gauge that is the oil stick, and on Sunday, a hot day, I took it at 2 for a 65 mile jaunt across LA and SBDO. Temp stayed at 225.

Any ideas on the gauge or the tach directional box? Think that is on the inside of the fuse panel.

THANKS!

John

sounds like t alternator / voltage regulator failed. this destroyed everything. i don't think the battery is the cause.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
underthetire
post Apr 10 2012, 08:32 AM
Post #3


914 Guru
*****

Group: Members
Posts: 5,062
Joined: 7-October 08
From: Brentwood
Member No.: 9,623
Region Association: Northern California
Common failure in the Optima's actually. Plates break loose=short=takes out the charging system. It's the Red Tops that do this BTW.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Woody
post Apr 10 2012, 08:54 AM
Post #4


Sandbox Rabblerouser and head toilet scrubber
****

Group: Members
Posts: 3,858
Joined: 28-December 10
From: San Antonio Texas
Member No.: 12,530
Region Association: Southwest Region
FWIW you're supposed to use a AGM type charger on an optima.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
jcambo7
post Apr 10 2012, 09:09 AM
Post #5


Senior Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 1,664
Joined: 24-December 08
From: Graham, WA
Member No.: 9,867
Region Association: Pacific Northwest
QUOTE(Woody @ Apr 10 2012, 09:54 AM) *

FWIW you're supposed to use a AGM type charger on an optima.

PLease elaborate for retards like me. AGM is?
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
ChrisFoley
post Apr 10 2012, 11:02 AM
Post #6


I am Tangerine Racing
*****

Group: Members
Posts: 7,933
Joined: 29-January 03
From: Bolton, CT
Member No.: 209
Region Association: None
Absorbed Glass Mat
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
unpolire
post Apr 10 2012, 12:32 PM
Post #7


Member
**

Group: Members
Posts: 51
Joined: 6-July 08
From: Los Angeles CA
Member No.: 9,260
Region Association: Southern California
QUOTE(underthetire @ Apr 10 2012, 07:32 AM) *

Common failure in the Optima's actually. Plates break loose=short=takes out the charging system. It's the Red Tops that do this BTW.

I have had 4 red-top and 1 yellow-top Optima fail repeatedly. Unrelated to car issues. I have an AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat)-compatible electronic charger, but that is not the issue. When they go they will not accept a charge, period. Very frustrating as I thought I was buying the best for $180-$220+. I have seen a brand new one fail in 30 days, verified by the distributor. Amazingly, when you have a good one, they are apparently invincible. Distributor showed me one that has never been charged in 8 years and had perfect voltage. Production switched outside of the USA and this could be the problem with internal quality.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Elliot Cannon
post Apr 10 2012, 01:26 PM
Post #8


914 Guru
*****

Group: Retired Members
Posts: 8,487
Joined: 29-December 06
From: Paso Robles Ca. (Central coast)
Member No.: 7,407
Region Association: None
QUOTE(unpolire @ Apr 10 2012, 11:32 AM) *

QUOTE(underthetire @ Apr 10 2012, 07:32 AM) *

Common failure in the Optima's actually. Plates break loose=short=takes out the charging system. It's the Red Tops that do this BTW.

I have had 4 red-top and 1 yellow-top Optima fail repeatedly. Unrelated to car issues. I have an AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat)-compatible electronic charger, but that is not the issue. When they go they will not accept a charge, period. Very frustrating as I thought I was buying the best for $180-$220+. I have seen a brand new one fail in 30 days, verified by the distributor. Amazingly, when you have a good one, they are apparently invincible. Distributor showed me one that has never been charged in 8 years and had perfect voltage. Production switched outside of the USA and this could be the problem with internal quality.

That last sentence pretty much sums it up. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/barf.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif)
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Cracker
post Apr 10 2012, 03:08 PM
Post #9


Advanced Member
****

Group: Members
Posts: 2,148
Joined: 2-February 10
From: Atlanta (area)
Member No.: 11,316
Region Association: South East States
Too funny. I just replaced my Red top this morning...funny things were happening!
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
a914622
post Apr 10 2012, 10:14 PM
Post #10


Member
**

Group: Members
Posts: 316
Joined: 12-August 10
From: northwest
Member No.: 12,048
Region Association: Pacific Northwest
The first red top i had laster 8 years starting the little diesel,porsche,dozer, what ever.

The second one lasted 60 days in the toyota 4x4. A missed Q with a stump jar-ed the battery hard enough to break one of the plates loose and fried it.

I have heard rumors a hard drop on the counter at the parts store will bugger them up? Chin-Sing quality.


jcl
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
rfuerst911sc
post Apr 11 2012, 03:43 AM
Post #11


Advanced Member
****

Group: Members
Posts: 2,158
Joined: 4-May 06
From: Dahlonega , Georgia
Member No.: 5,980
Region Association: South East States
I have a yellow Optima that is acting up, it is less than 2 years old.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
okieflyr
post Apr 11 2012, 05:18 PM
Post #12


9fauxteen
***

Group: Members
Posts: 816
Joined: 9-January 05
From: Phila PA
Member No.: 3,426
Region Association: North East States
I've got a red top that gets used in a car on occasion, but mostly floats around the garage and gets called upon to jump the kids cars. I use an old fashion charger on it 1-2 times a year to top it up. It is 7+ years old and still works fine. Guess I've been lucky...
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Tom_T
post Apr 11 2012, 06:44 PM
Post #13


TMI....
*****

Group: Members
Posts: 8,318
Joined: 19-March 09
From: Orange, CA
Member No.: 10,181
Region Association: Southern California
This is why they shortened the warranty to just 24 mos. IIRC about 2-3 years ago - when they combined with Interstate (another formerly invincible battery - don't know who bought out who), moved production elsewhere & cut warranties - just selling off the former good name apparently! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

Bad Luck John! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

Text me when you're going to AX the dark knight next!

Cheers! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
Tom
///////
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Socalandy
post Apr 11 2012, 07:25 PM
Post #14


Its got to be Yellow!!!
****

Group: Members
Posts: 2,432
Joined: 29-August 09
From: Orange
Member No.: 10,742
Region Association: Southern California
had my yellow top 5 years and running with no tender and sadly sat for 3 months at one point without even a start. Still cranked up no problem (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif)
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
greenie
post Apr 11 2012, 07:48 PM
Post #15


Senior Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 873
Joined: 26-October 04
From: Trinidad
Member No.: 3,013
Region Association: Pacific Northwest
QUOTE(unpolire @ Apr 10 2012, 09:32 AM) *

QUOTE(underthetire @ Apr 10 2012, 07:32 AM) *

Common failure in the Optima's actually. Plates break loose=short=takes out the charging system. It's the Red Tops that do this BTW.

I have had 4 red-top and 1 yellow-top Optima fail repeatedly. Unrelated to car issues. I have an AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat)-compatible electronic charger, but that is not the issue. When they go they will not accept a charge, period. Very frustrating as I thought I was buying the best for $180-$220+. I have seen a brand new one fail in 30 days, verified by the distributor. Amazingly, when you have a good one, they are apparently invincible. Distributor showed me one that has never been charged in 8 years and had perfect voltage. Production switched outside of the USA and this could be the problem with internal quality.


(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

My experience is that these batteries do not stand up to recharging, if you do not use the car regularly and keep the battery near full charge they do not last.

I've spent to many $$ on Optimas and seen no benefit for the extra money.
The last one I purchased would not hold a charge.

I'm not buying them again.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
« Next Oldest · 914World Garage · Next Newest »
 

Reply to this topicStart new topic
1 User(s) are reading this topic (1 Guests and 0 Anonymous Users)
0 Members:

 

Display Mode: Switch to: Standard · Linear+ · Switch to: Outline

Track this topic · Email this topic · Print this topic · Subscribe to this forum

- Lo-Fi Version Time is now: 28th May 2024 - 04:39 PM
Invision Power Board v9.1.4 © 2024  IPS, Inc.
All rights reserved 914World.com © since 2002
914World.com is the fastest growing online 914 community!
We have it all, classifieds, events, forums, vendors, parts, autocross, racing, technical articles, events calendar, newsletter, restoration, gallery, archives, history and more for your Porsche 914 ...