Why in the fuck would somebody do this???
 

So, I just bought a '96 Olds Cutlass Supreme in October. I love this car. I was driving Monday, and I noticed that the ABS light came on. I thought, OK, next time I start it, it'll be alright. When I was at a stoplight, the lights would dim quite a bit, and the cabin fan would slow down, and I just figured that since it was cold, the air compressor needed more juice. So, I turned it off, and it got no better. I got to the library that night, and when I returned to start my car, the engine wouldn't turn. I hadn't left my lights on. I got a jump, but about 2 miles later, my car sputters and dies. I had well over a half of a tank of gas, so I pushed the car to the side of the road and tried another jump. No luck whatsoever. There was no power going to the starter. So, I called my dad to come and look at it. After a trip home to get sockets and wrenches, and a trip to Wal-Mart (it was about 10:30 PM, all other stores in Lexington close at 9) to get a new battery, we began the exhausting process of replacing the battery. In case you've never seen one of these under the hood, I'll describe it: it makes you wonder what the hell GM was thinking when they made the son of a bitch. There is a brace on top of the winshield washer fluid tank, which is on top of the battery, which is held in by a brace that is attached to the air filter box and the platform that the battery sits on. That's my WTF #1. #2 is the battery that was in there. This car, by my estimation, probably needs at least a 600 amp battery because of the excessive draw from the excessive amounts of accessories (and they can't even put in a trunk light). The jackass who had the car before had a 525 crank/600 cold amp battery in. My '92 no power option Escort had a bigger battery when my parents bought it new. Now, I realize this guy may have been in a tight spot financially, but it's only twenty more bucks to get the right size.

He probably just had that size battery sittin' around in his garage when it came time to sell the car. I know that If I just bought a new battery in the last few months I'd swap it out for anything that would crank the car over.

It's also possible the guy stole the wrong size battery when he needed one.

Some people don't know that different size cars need a different battery I got a 700 in my van, jkust because the battery has to turn over a 350, and run the heater/fan and run now a 600 watt amp and 2 subs!

yours should be a 78/6year in it... 700CCA rated.

as for the battery, they suck to repalce. no easy way to do it unfortnitly.

Went for around 900 CCA. I love it!

Just go get a group 8D (15-1800 CCA, commonly found in pairs on large bulldozers). If you can get in in the vehicle, it'll start. :)

I once had to get a jump off of one of those cars. That battery was really crammed in there.. not like the 89 VW that I was jumping.. but had to replace the battery of anyway.

Just do it the easy way that I do....if it's in a shitty spot...move it to the trunk...plus running dual red tops help alot :)

I think you should check your alternator, make sure it is putting out the proper amperes while you have all your loads on.
A battery is for starting a car, after that that altenator is responsible for maintaining the battery and suppling amps to run your accesories.
If I could start my car on a flashlight battery, it would run forever because to alt. would handle the running of the car.

I wish I knew how to do that!

I can get 'em done in about ten minutes now...but yeah, they're a bitch to do. Don't you just love crammed engine bays?

That brings back memories. At least it's not an Olds Aurora where the battery is under the backseat.

That seems like it would be easier to get at...maybe!

Heh the worse I've ever seen was a dodge intrepid.....you have to take off the tire and get at the battery in the wheel well....

Oh don't remind me....I worked in a dodge dealship in the past!