hi all,

my 122 has trouble starting in colder weather, and a mechanic friend thinks it's because the battery is on the small side and doesn't produce enough power when it's cold out. (i tested this by parking the car on a hill - on one cold day, i tried to start the car with the key, and it'll turned over and over, but wouldn't start up. then i let the car roll down the hill and bumped it in second gear, and it fired right up, suggesting that the battery/starter combo isn't producing enough oomph on its own). that said, can anyone recommend a battery that will both fit the battery box and provide enough cold starting power?

much obliged,
floyd
ca

floyd_ramp,

Check the cables and connections at the battery and the starter; the big cables, both power and ground. Ensure the starter is tight to the block. The issue may not be a "small" battery but a resistive connection. If the starter circuit requires excessive current to turn the engine over, there is not enough energy left to charge the coil. You can check this by monitoring the battery voltage at the posts. A large voltage drop while starting is an indication that the starter circuit is pulling excessive current. Cold weather will aggravate this condition just as it would a weak battery.

As for the mechanic's suggestion that the battery is too small; check the rating on the battery. If it is at least 450 Cold Cranking Amps, you should be good to go.

If there is a short in your charging system even a good battery won't start your car on a cold day. I thought my bat was toast aned only good for the summer, as it could not start my car on cold days. Then I discovered sometimes it could on a cold day. Turned out I had an intermitant short in the door switches for the halo light. Basically in the door open light on postion I get a low watt short. In the door open light stays off, I don't. This short led me to believe a good bat was bad. It was actually so good a bat that when it was warm out it could keep up with the leak down from the short..

I've always used #24 batteries and generally they have lasted well beyond the
warranty. But you need to be sure the battery is being properly charged. If your
charging system is not putting out 13.5 volts or more you WILL have problems!
It does NOT have to be an alternator but it does need to be working well.
--
George Downs, Bartlesville, Heart of the USA!

I've used Sear's Die Hard batteries quite often; the 60 month ones for the 140 series (their books don't go back far enough for 122's) and always managed to get at least 60 months out of them.

Converting to an alternator is a nice thing.

Bill