AUGuy21

I've had my GS a little over 2 years and it is now taking long and longer to start. It turns over longer than it used to and then starts up. Is this a sign of a battery dying or an alternator problem, or something else? Thanks!

HoracioGS4

i would take the battery to auto zone and have them check it out in order to be certain....

chuckb

another thing my car did when the battery was in the process of dying, when you would turn the key to start it while the steering wheel was still automatically moving, the wheel would stop moving while starter was turning over, then continue again.

upstateGS4

iTrader: (1)

i had the same exact problem. i threw an optima yellow top in my gs (also helps with the big draw from all the audo/video equip.) and now the thing turns over real quick. also stopped the lights from dimming down with the stereo cranked (monstercaps also played an issue in fixing the stereo thing too though)

upstateGS4

iTrader: (1)

just another thought, you said you had a 99? if the battery is still the same one the car came with from the factory, it definitely wouldnt HURT to change the thing out before winter (if you live in an area that actually sees winter anyway). you can find optimas (best batteries IMO) online for $120-$150 and they will last an extremely long time.

AUGuy21

It was dead. I just replaced it. It was taking all the battery had to crank it up. I just got a Car Quest replacement.

What's so special about Optima Yellow tops or Optima's in general?

rominl

iTrader: (4)

wow 2 yrs and died already that's fast. my first battery went strong for 6 yrs.

anyway. optima is good coz' i think you can use it all up and charge it to full capacity. but to be honest unless you do a lot of audio stuff and run them when the car is NOT running, i dont' see the need. i would just get the interstate. optima is a lot more expensive. once the car is running it's on the alternator

AUGuy21

I got the car w/ 68k and 2 yrs, 3 mo. later it has 95k. I think it was on it's second battery.

The Optima Yellow Top would've been overkill for me. The car is stock so it wouldn't need it.

I think the Carquest replacement will do. I don't plan on having the car for longer than 3 more years.

Thanks for the help!

upstateGS4

iTrader: (1)

theyre not overkill lol. its $120 for an all around better long lasting better performing harder cranking in all weather conditions battery, you know- like the pink bunny it just keeps going and going and going seriously though ive had them in all three of the cars ive owned and have never had one issue with one no matter what the conditions. and its not the fact that your car is stock now, i just always think ahead...i mean youll swear up and down that you will never touch the car or the audio system but ya never know, seriously! just tryin to steer ya in the right direction...all things considered its $55 bucks to fill up on a tank of gas in my GS...do that twice and you already almost got the battery so a cheap price like that for something that ISNT going to burn up in my car in 3 days to me personally is justifiable...anyways, sounds like you already solved your issue with the new batt you got- good luck!

chuckb

my stock interstate battery died about 3-4 days before the bumper to bumper warranty ran out. I made it just in time for a free replacement from dealer so it lasted exactly 4 years of service. that's very good for being in the hot FL environment. heat is the worst thing for batteries. Alabama is pretty hot too, so two years sounds about right.

RON430

Yep, at least it is one possibility but that is exactly what my GS did when it's battery died.