Battery Costs?

[steelblue5505]

Re: Battery Costs?

Russell,
Thanks for that tip.......good to know.

[ShadowDragon]

Re: Battery Costs?

I briefly looked for it but could not find the thread…. Maybe I read it somewhere else or it could be I am just getting older and can not remember at all… However, I seem to recall that there was some issue(s) reported using the Optima battery in some computer controlled cars. I believe, if I remember correctly, the issues were most prominent in GM cars but Fords and Hondas were having issues as well. It was related to the voltage from the battery was not what the ECMs were expecting and thus did not like and it was causing phantom electrical problems. Anyone remember that?

I've had a yellowtop in my 94 for years with no issues. When the time comes I'll figure out how to build a vent box around one to put in the 02.

[frankstbird]

Re: Battery Costs?

Vic, as of now that's the ONLY place you can buy the correct battery for this car.

Pretty much! Had to replace mine last fall, & my mechanic said the thing's only available from Ford! Why Ford wants to hang onto the "propitiatory" rights to a battery for a (in our case) 6 year old car beats me. Hear they do the same on radiators for older Ford trucks . . .

[Lonestar]

Re: Battery Costs?

I do not believe it to be a matter of action on Ford’s part but instead the aftermarket folks not wanting to product a battery for such a limited market that includes only the Thunderbird and Lincoln LS. Not only does the OEM battery have the vent, it is also a none standard size. That is not to say you can not install an aftermarket battery in a Thunderbird but the dimensions will not be true to the OEM (if that matters to anyone).

[V8 Cat]

Re: Battery Costs?

I do not believe it to be a matter of action on Ford’s part but instead the aftermarket folks not wanting to product a battery for such a limited market that includes only the Thunderbird and Lincoln LS.

This is the main reason.

[joe166]

Re: Battery Costs?

I agree that this has nothing to do with proprietary rights or anything of the sort. It has to do with a limited market and the need to justify the outlay for a different design for a battery when you can only sell a very limited number of them.

I would be more concerned about what to do when Ford no longer has the legal responsibility to make these batteries! What does the government require? Six years or so isn't it? It can't be a money maker for them either.

I suspect that we will find a way to jerry rig a vent and drain from another vented battery in our spare tire compartments.

[V8 Cat]

Re: Battery Costs?

I would be more concerned about what to do when Ford no longer has the legal responsibility to make these batteries! What does the government require? Six years or so isn't it? It can't be a money maker for them either.
I suspect that we will find a way to jerry rig a vent and drain from another vented battery in our spare tire compartments.

I thought the Mfg's responsibility was for 10 years after production ceased. There probably are quite a few vented batteries since many performance cars have them in the trunk to help with weight distributiuon, but I have no idea of how many and which cars have them. I have one in the Jaguar, but it is much bigger in size and weight. It would definitely not fit.

[ShadowDragon]

Re: Battery Costs?

I suspect that we will find a way to jerry rig a vent and drain from another vented battery in our spare tire compartments.

Considering the number of people who relocate the battery to the trunk, and the wide availability of sealed battery boxes required by racing associations for trunk-mounted batteries, the only real dilemma will be figuring out what size box fits, what battery fits into it. Putting in a vent tube to the box will be the easy part.

[PaBlkBrd]

Re: Battery Costs?

Considering the number of people who relocate the battery to the trunk

I hope you are not talking about the owners of retrobirds doing this. I have heard relocating the battery. Thew trunk is small enough so as it is!

[ShadowDragon]

Re: Battery Costs?

I hope you are not talking about the owners of retrobirds doing this. I have heard relocating the battery. Thew trunk is small enough so as it is!

No, people who currently have it in the front and want better weight distribution for things like drag racing. The retrobird battery is already in the trunk. ;)

[joe166]

Re: Battery Costs?

I thought the Mfg's responsibility was for 10 years after production ceased. There probably are quite a few vented batteries since many performance cars have them in the trunk to help with weight distributiuon, but I have no idea of how many and which cars have them. I have one in the Jaguar, but it is much bigger in size and weight. It would definitely not fit.

Aren't there already parts for our cars that are not available? For example, the "chrome" (plastic) trim around the windshield which pits and bubbles is not entirely available. The top and one of the sides is but one of the sides is no longer available from Ford.

I just bought the two that are still available and I will keep them for when I want to replace the corroded top piece but I would have liked to get all three of them as they will all fail sooner or later.

[Erey10]

Re: Battery Costs?

Talking about batteries I just needed a brake light in the rear and Ford wanted $135 to change the bulb. I said no thanks just give me the bulb which was five dollars and the special tool to change it was $25 so I got by for only $30 dollars. Can't stand too much more of this I guess I will start searching for a battery for whenever I will need one.

[V8 Cat]

Re: Battery Costs?

A friend of mine just bought a 75 corvette. They had to jump start it on the lot and the battery is in the PASSENGER compartment in a bin in the package shelf behind the drivers seat, and it was NOT vented. There looked to be no hole for a vent tube - I doubt they were vented 33 years ago. Makes me wonder really how dangerous it is to have one not vented, BUT as I have stated before, I was in the Jaguar dealership service department when they brought a car in with a battery in the trunk that had exploded.

[scoops]

Re: Battery Costs?

The early Miatas have vented batteries in the trunk. I don't know if Mazda has changed the design for their newer models. If not, since Miatas are still in production, those should be available longer and maybe could be adapted to the TBird. The early ones were certainly smaller in size then the OEM TBird battery.

[joe166]

Re: Battery Costs?

Talking about batteries I just needed a brake light in the rear and Ford wanted $135 to change the bulb. I said no thanks just give me the bulb which was five dollars and the special tool to change it was $25 so I got by for only $30 dollars. Can't stand too much more of this I guess I will start searching for a battery for whenever I will need one.

Mine is still under the extended warranty and they didn't charge me anything but it annoyed me so much to have to waste the time taking it in that I got an extra long socket and used a pair of vice grips to remove the nuts for the really long bolts that hold the light on. I have since changed them twice and it only takes about 10 minutes. I would rather spend ten minutes in my driveway than an hour in the waiting room.

While you are back there check the sockets for burning or charring. My sockets were so dark from heat that one time the bulb stopped working and when I replaced it it still didn't work. I had to scrape the contacts and then it worked but the next time I was at the dealer they ordered two new sockets and replaced them for me.

Incidentally, you can buy the replacement bulbs at any auto parts store for two for less than $5.