Frontier won't start

Nissan11

Nissan11

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 29, 2005
Location
Marston, NC
Ive got an 02 v6 frontier with a yellow top battery. This morning my truck started up like normal.

I made the 20 min drive to work and cut the truck off and went inside. I came out 25 minutes later, turned the key in my truck and heard a series of fast clicks. I checked the voltage of the battery straight from the posts, 10v.
I got a work truck, hooked up jumper cables and it started right up. I drove it about 30 min and cut it off but it wouldn't start again.
When the truck was running the battery posts read 13.5v on my meter. I got another jump start and on my way home I stopped and picked up new cables and terminals. I changed them when I got back.
The battery read 9.8v and wouldn't start. I got another jump and tested the battery again after it ran for 30 minutes, it showed 13.5v
I checked the voltage at the starter and it reads the same with the truck running.
Continuity between the cables and posts reads 0.
What the heck could my problem be? Is there anything else I can check with my multi tester?
 
it would appear that your alternator is working, but the Yellow top has shit the bed ( not surprising )

Deep cycle batteries don't like continuos bulk charging that an alternator will provide.

conversely, a starting battery doesn't like to be discharged the way a deep cycle can be ( hence the name )

Optimas have gotten pretty crappy the last few years, I know a lot of folks who have had issues with them.

Any warranty left on the Optima ?
 
I've had it about 3 years and got it from OReily, I don't remember how long the warranty is for it but I will be calling them in the AM.

Edit- I called them and it's still under warranty. I'm going by there tomorrow evening.
 
The battery tested bad so they gave me a new one. The guy behind the counter said the yellow top is deep cycle and the red top is not, which is why it failed for me. He said the constant charging hurts the yellow but not the red. Is that right?
 
yes Deep cycle batteries don't like a full in rush of power ( amps) higher amps cause more heat as well , they like a nice slow "trickle" ( long duration 1-2amp charge) to charge them, it's the way the plates are designed and packaged that makes the difference

a Red top is a "Starting battery" designed for short high amp draw bursts and then a high amp recharge rate to get back to capacity. cycle a Red top under 11.5 volts a few times and it'll croak as well.
 
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