Is the OEM battery covered under warranty? - LotusTalk

®ob · 10-25-2008, 08:44 AM

I thought it was by a dealer just told me no.

tesprit · 10-25-2008, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ®ob

I thought it was by a dealer just told me no.

It all depends on what happened to it, but if you can prove it prematurely failed within the warranty period due to a defect, it should be covered.

Personally, I wouldn't put an OEM battery back in my car and would just buy one of the dry cells or Optima style batteries. I had one of the OEM batteries that leaked acid all over my trunk and it was a no brainer to switch it over to the Odyssey dry cell I am currently running....smaller, lighter, and it can't leak.

®ob · 10-25-2008, 09:04 AM

It's just a dead battery. I drive the car almost daily, but today went to start it - it's flat. When connected it's only issuing about 9.5 volts

Randy Chase · 10-25-2008, 09:14 AM

When mine started leaking, I got mixed messages. Newport said it would be covered, but then called LCU who said they did not stock replacements and it would be too heavy to ship, so maybe they could source their own supply. Then the parts guy at Newport shrugged and I said F it and bought an Optima.

JnC · 10-25-2008, 10:35 AM

Rob, I think items that wear or deplete are warranteed by their respective manufacterers and not by Lotus. YMMV.

For tires or the battery, it's likely a pro-rata warranty.

I've found if I leave the keys in the ignition, a mini-sized battery will be dead in as few as 2-3 days. If I remove the keys, it can go months. I'm using a Braille B2015, one step up from the size the Sector111 Braille race battery that requires trickle charging.

I have fully depleted it 2x by accident from leaving keys in the car (in the garage), and it seems to recover to a full charge with no apparent ill effects.

TheViper · 10-25-2008, 12:43 PM

If your OEM has died, it is the perfect excuse to replace it with an AGM battery. AGM's can not leak and are deep cycle, meaning they can be depleted without it degrading the battery, which is what will happen with a traditional wet cell.

Buckley · 10-30-2008, 01:02 PM

Just be sure you get the right size. I replaced mine ('05) with a battery from NTB that turned out to be slightly smaller than the one that came with the car. I tightened the bracket down as far as I could, but over time it worked its way loose and spilled all over my trunk one day.

Now I'm trying to devise some sort of "L" shape to stick on the end of the bracket. Until I figure that out, I've got the metal license plate holder (never put the plate on the front) wedged underneath the battery to keep it from sliding.
I'm definitely moving to a dry cell next time...

p.s. Anyone know how to get the acid smell out of the trunk? I tried a baking soda and water mix with some success.

Randy Chase · 10-30-2008, 01:04 PM

I pretty much did the same thing with washing out with a baking soda water mix, almost a paste, then rinsing a lot. Got most of the smell out.

10-25-2008, 08:44 AM	#1 (permalink)
®ob What's a registered user? Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Austin Posts: 1,108	Is the OEM battery covered under warranty? I thought it was by a dealer just told me no.

10-25-2008, 09:14 AM	#4 (permalink)
Randy Chase Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: San Diego and where ever the roads lead Posts: 28,175 Images: 761	When mine started leaking, I got mixed messages. Newport said it would be covered, but then called LCU who said they did not stock replacements and it would be too heavy to ship, so maybe they could source their own supply. Then the parts guy at Newport shrugged and I said F it and bought an Optima. __________________ * V E R I T A S * A E Q U I T A S * No Longer the ADMIN here, please do not PM me asking for help. Thanks! http://www.facebook.com/randychase 1991 Toyota MR2. AutoX Beast 2006 Noble M400. Track weapon. 2009 Rossion Q1. Monaco Orange. Canyon Carver. In build: 2009 Toniq R (300whp? 1100 pounds?). Chrome Orange. Lexus GX-470 tow vehicle. On Order: Lotus Evora Next: McLaren MP4-12C

10-25-2008, 10:35 AM	#5 (permalink)
JnC Thread unraveler Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 2,887	Rob, I think items that wear or deplete are warranteed by their respective manufacterers and not by Lotus. YMMV. For tires or the battery, it's likely a pro-rata warranty. I've found if I leave the keys in the ignition, a mini-sized battery will be dead in as few as 2-3 days. If I remove the keys, it can go months. I'm using a Braille B2015, one step up from the size the Sector111 Braille race battery that requires trickle charging. I have fully depleted it 2x by accident from leaving keys in the car (in the garage), and it seems to recover to a full charge with no apparent ill effects. __________________ 2007 Cross Country Travelblog 06 Lotus Elise :: Chrome Orange :: Base :: Black Pack :: TC :: SS 00 VW Golf GLS TDI

10-25-2008, 12:43 PM	#6 (permalink)
TheViper Alarmed & Dangerous Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Boca Raton FL Posts: 3,205	If your OEM has died, it is the perfect excuse to replace it with an AGM battery. AGM's can not leak and are deep cycle, meaning they can be depleted without it degrading the battery, which is what will happen with a traditional wet cell. Attached Images __________________ Cobra OEM - Alarm, Immobilizer, CDL Emergency Override with warranty Additional Emergency Touch Keys - see link above Brand New Cobra Alarm Remote with warranty Cobra Remote Key Fob Strap Cobra Window Closing Module - Add to your existing Cobra alarm 3 Piece Front Clam Protection Kit with Center Bumper Undertray Removal Tool INFORMATION Improved AC & Heating System Battery Choices & Information Remote Key Fob, Alarm & Immobilizer Programming Light Bulb Conversions 2005

10-30-2008, 01:04 PM	#8 (permalink)
Randy Chase Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: San Diego and where ever the roads lead Posts: 28,175 Images: 761	I pretty much did the same thing with washing out with a baking soda water mix, almost a paste, then rinsing a lot. Got most of the smell out. __________________ * V E R I T A S * A E Q U I T A S * No Longer the ADMIN here, please do not PM me asking for help. Thanks! http://www.facebook.com/randychase 1991 Toyota MR2. AutoX Beast 2006 Noble M400. Track weapon. 2009 Rossion Q1. Monaco Orange. Canyon Carver. In build: 2009 Toniq R (300whp? 1100 pounds?). Chrome Orange. Lexus GX-470 tow vehicle. On Order: Lotus Evora Next: McLaren MP4-12C

10-25-2008, 09:04 AM	#3 (permalink)
®ob What's a registered user? Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Austin Posts: 1,108	It's just a dead battery. I drive the car almost daily, but today went to start it - it's flat. When connected it's only issuing about 9.5 volts

10-30-2008, 01:02 PM	#7 (permalink)
Buckley Ben H Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 3	Just be sure you get the right size. I replaced mine ('05) with a battery from NTB that turned out to be slightly smaller than the one that came with the car. I tightened the bracket down as far as I could, but over time it worked its way loose and spilled all over my trunk one day. Now I'm trying to devise some sort of "L" shape to stick on the end of the bracket. Until I figure that out, I've got the metal license plate holder (never put the plate on the front) wedged underneath the battery to keep it from sliding. I'm definitely moving to a dry cell next time... p.s. Anyone know how to get the acid smell out of the trunk? I tried a baking soda and water mix with some success.

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