Hi Tom,
The terminal connector, maybe. The rest? BS. Good advice on staying away from them.. Those kind of shops give legit ones a bad name.
What I normally propose in cases like this is bringing your vehicle to an auto parts store instead of a shop. Their motivation is different than a shop. Most provide free diagnostic checks of batteries and charging systems. Sure, they're doing it in the hopes of selling you a battery or altenator, but the tests are quick, straight forward and done right in front of you.
What you want them to perform is a 'Load Test'. A battery can read +12VDC and still not turn an engine over. This is called a surface charge. The battery has the volts, but not the Amps. The 'Load Test' simulates the Amps drawn by a starter. The test takes the same amount of time as a voltage test. Any other result than Good, means bad. Cut and dry.
Something else to consider is that even new batteries aren't always good batteries. You'd be amazed at how many fail within days of installation causing additional purchases of unneeded alternators, cables (and in some cases tranny flushes).
So keep your receipts handy and get that Load Test. Let me know the results, If the problems continue, we can take it from there.
Mike
Remove cell covers, use multimeter to test cells. They work in series so the first one should read 2 VDC, next 4VDC and so on. If any cell doesn't jump in multiples of 2VDC until you get to 12VDC, they you have a bad battery cell. Replace battery. If cells are good, your battery should ready around 12.5VDC in off state, to check you alternator for charging, crank engine. Now your battery should read higher, around 13.5-14VDC. Replace if any doesn't not occur.
SOURCE: my 199 plymouth voyager mini
It could be a bad battery, or it could be a bad alternator, ground wire, dirty terminals, etc.
You need to test the components.
Charge the battery.
Then put a voltmeter across it.
It should read 12.5 volts about.
When you crank it, it should drop to about 10.
If it drops lower, the batter or starter is likely bad.
If it does not drop to 10, then the starter or terminals are bad,
If you stop cranking, the battery should come back up.
If it does not, it is bad.
Once started, then you should see over 13.5 when reved up.
If not, the alternator or terminals are bad.
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Mine, too.
I have changed a brand new die-hard battery, but shop was not able to find any problem on my alternator.
Instead, they want to change battery terminal which looks very new to me, because they suspect the power cable gets contaminated. After that they keep promoting the transmission flush, break replacement, shock replacement. This shop is Superior Jeep/Dodge in City of Industry, CA...Don't go there.
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