2015 HONDA FIT EX
for 3 years, during colder weather, it has intermittently acted like a low battery if we drive just a short distance turn it off then try to crank it soon after. but if we drive it just a short distance and let it sit a while (hours) it cranks.

it does Not consistently act like a stuck diode in the starter. it does not consistently act like a bad battery.

when we test alternator and battery, both test good. we've had honda service check or out, we've gone to advance, autozone, napa, and O'Reilly, even a chevy service. no one has figured it out yet.

problem goes away in the summer, returns when it starts getting colder.

original battery, original alternator. purchased November 2015.

we don't want to sink $1000 into parts alone just to replace battery and alternator just because no one can figure it out

had anyone else experienced this? any suggestions?

 

No nor have I seen problems on this new of a car. I have seen battery terminal buildup and grounding points act like this. First - if you can clean up those terminal and cable connections (shiny lead) then add dielectric grease to all contact points and ensure they're torqued tight. I would also make sure the:
* harness going from the + terminal is torqued and clean (to where ever it goes)
* harness going from the - terminal is torqued and clean (to where ever it goes)
* fuses are clean and good contacts



* check the battery terminals to see if loose (seating in the battery core)
* if you're going to replace the battery (check the old battery sulfuric acid specific gravity at full charge)

If you were to float charge this battery does it fully charge and float within let's say 10-15 hours? 24 hours? 72 hours?

It might be a simple as a battery replacement. Since you've got 4 years out of it, it might be good insurance to change this (after connections are clean) to eliminate the battery (plates and solution and sulfation extent) as the culprit.

Have you ever had the battery fully discharge on you (leaving lights on, etc)? A full discharge and the period of time at full discharge will surely start the sulfation process.

 

How about considering the starter motor? You can test a battery, you can test an alternator and in your case both have tested good, but you can't really test a starter motor and there have been random posts about Fit starter motors failing.

 

starter wouldn't act like a low battery charge (console clicking or lights failing to come on).

it's never been fully discharged but the terminals were rather corroded, though I don't see how that could have been the issue just 1 year after purchasing,but I suppose anything is possible.

the battery is sealed so I Don't know how I would test the acid. but I'm not a battery expert either.

I did clean the terminals and I think I'll go ahead and try to get a new battery. but I want to watch this for a few days with the huge temperature fluctuations we're having every night/day to see if it happens with the cleaned terminals.

thanks for the information and opinions.

 

That’s why we’re here.

 

I'd look at getting the larger 51R battery as it has higher CCAs than the stock battery. Depending on your battery tray, it may need to be trimmed to fit the larger battery.