Less than 2 months ago I bought a brand new Yellow top battery for my G. Well I left for CA on holiday vacation, I filled the tank and set the temp sensor to kick on when it got bellow Zero and to run for 15 min. Well I just got back tonight and I go to check on the G and the Battery is DEAD. I mean to the point that NOTHING would work, I had to unlock the door with the key and when I attempted to start it nothing happened.... After I got the car jump started, I waited for it to warm up and I then drove it around the block. I had the snow mode on ( roads are covered in ice and snow) When the car lost traction the SLIP and VDC OFF light came on and they now will not turn off. If I hit the VDC button nothing happens the light stays on. If the car breaks lose it response like the VDC if off but I can hear the AWD kick in. O the ABS light came on for a min but turned off .... what the hell is going on with my G and how do I fix it...?

BTW I will be at Autozone come daylight to get a new battery...

 

Check your actual batt cables and terminals and ensure they are good and there is a solid connection.

Usually when i come across a totally dead car (meaning no power at all) it's a cable or connection problem more than likely.

 

I am having issues with my yellow top in my RS as well. When it is cold out the damn thing needs to be jumped even if I start it once a week. Yesterday it started up just fine and it had been a couple of weeks, but it was 50* out instead of being super cold. I think the yellow tops/Optimas are just picky if you don't drive them every day and it is cold.

 

If you are routinely jumping the battery, then there is a good chance the battery is gone. Most batteries are never the same after they have been jumped. They don't hold a charge as well and are easily drained down. If you have the battery load tested, it will prob test as "weak" and should be replaced.

 

Well the battery was fine when we drove the car all the time but it has been stored in the garage since April last year. We try to start it at least once a week and drive it up and down the street every month or so. Sometimes we don't get a chance to do that and the only time we had an issue with it not starting was when it was super cold out. I plan on changing out the battery eventually but right now it isn't that big of a deal since we aren't relying on it for transportation.

 

Yellow top batteries aren't the best when its cold outside if you are not starting your car everyday. Look into a deeper cycle battery.

 

ok guys thanks for the info on the battery, but what about the SLIP and VDC OFF light being on.... how do I get this fixed ?

 

Long shot, check your gas cap, I know if it's not tight it throws a light, not sure if it's the lights you have. If it is loose, then it'll take a bit of driving after you've tightened to to cancel the light.

 

^^^ Gas cap is fine.... the SLIP AND VDC OFF lights are permanently ON and will NOT shut off. Even if i push the VDC button the light still says VDC OFF.....

 

Could be something as simple as a faulty abs sensor. You might have to have the car scanned at a dealer since most OBD 2 scanners cannot access the ABS sensors. My suggestion is to replace the Optima battery first than see what the VDC and Slip light are doing. BTW in my experience once an Optima battery looses its charge it rarely ever functions correctly again. They are just not made for the cold. Good luck and keep us updated.

 

The place I bought the battery from came and picked it up, I got a loaner battery from one of there sister stores. My best guess is that the battery froze up, since when it was in the car and I tried to charge it (Using a diesel generator( built to jump start cars) ) It wouldn't even hold the charge. I will know more info in 12 hours...

 

UDATE: My yellow top froze !!! after warming it up over night and recharging it everything is all good. My slip and VDC are off and the car is back to normal.

 

Wow odd that the battery actually froze!

 

keep in mind that once the yellow top's die, its gone for good. just a thought.

 

Die? All Optimas are deep cycle and made to be able to discharge and recharge with little effect on it's life.

Can you detail that feature of the Yellow top a bit?