FAQ: Good Battery Replacement?

Years ago AC Delco/Delphi was the only option. Now aftermarket has batteries with the correct vent openings and sometimes even the vent tube (which is often broken). Due to the weather-safe location under the back seat, and the high CCA requirement, the "correct" battery will last a long time pretty much no matter what the brand name is on it.

The 'green dot' doesn't mean it's going to pass a load test

I bought a battery for an '04 Buick LeSabre that came with the vent tube assembly attached from Advanced Auto Parts. I can't remember the name of the brand they carry off the top of my head, but it was several years ago and it's still working properly...

Thanks Derek,

I went to Advance Auto Parts and got one for the Riv. Exact fit. No problems with vent tubes or install.

The old one just wouldn't take a charge anymore and would drop to 6 volts under a load.

Managed to find a $40.00 off code for Advanced, so saved some bucks and I'm back on the road with the Riv after about 5 months.

I have to say the batteries in my Riviera have served me well.  Bought my 98 in 2004 with 86K on the clock, original battery.  Had to replace it in December 2009 when it gave up.  Got another Delco replacement, 165.00.  11 years, not bad.  Sure enough, Jan 2021, came out one cold morning, the Riv clicked and just about started the car.  Time for a new battery, 11 years   Looked around and Costco was the cheapest.  Exact fit battery, Group 79, vent attachment and all, 1050 Amps, 840 Cold Cranking Amps, 135.00.  Just a 3 year warranty, but good enough.  Had to order it and wait a week.

https://costco.interstatebatteries.com//home/results?key=auto&ZipCode=11364&l=11364&Program=100500&choice1=1699466&choice2=1699594&choice3=1699609&choice4=1699610&choice5=1699611&Country=US


 23* this morning, extremely slow cranking, but it started.  Drove the car to Costco with the original battery that I kept as a core.  Transmission felt a little funny, like it was slipping a bit.  On the highway, crap, no overdrive, no lock up.  Get to Costco, get the battery, swap them out in the parking lot.  Car starts right up.  Transmission shifts MINT, and Overdrive is back.  Thinking maybe the transmission went into limp home mode or something from low voltage.  We'll see.

https://repairpal.com/weak-battery-may-cause-transmission-to-enter-into-fail-safe-mode-814

Being stuck in 3rd gear makes sense. From a stop, it felt like it was slipping because the converter was being stalled higher because of the gearing.

LARRY70GS wrote:

I have to say the batteries in my Riviera have served me well.  Bought my 98 in 2004 with 86K on the clock, original battery.  Had to replace it in December 2009 when it gave up.  Got another Delco replacement, 165.00.  11 years, not bad.  Sure enough, Jan 2021, came out one cold morning, the Riv clicked and just about started the car.  Time for a new battery, 11 years   Looked around and Costco was the cheapest.  Exact fit battery, Group 79, vent attachment and all, 1050 Amps, 840 Cold Cranking Amps, 135.00.  Just a 3 year warranty, but good enough.  Had to order it and wait a week.

https://costco.interstatebatteries.com//home/results?key=auto&ZipCode=11364&l=11364&Program=100500&choice1=1699466&choice2=1699594&choice3=1699609&choice4=1699610&choice5=1699611&Country=US


 23* this morning, extremely slow cranking, but it started.  Drove the car to Costco with the original battery that I kept as a core.  Transmission felt a little funny, like it was slipping a bit.  On the highway, crap, no overdrive, no lock up.  Get to Costco, get the battery, swap them out in the parking lot.  Car starts right up.  Transmission shifts MINT, and Overdrive is back.  Thinking maybe the transmission went into limp home mode or something from low voltage.  We'll see.

https://repairpal.com/weak-battery-may-cause-transmission-to-enter-into-fail-safe-mode-814

Being stuck in 3rd gear makes sense.  From a stop, it felt like it was slipping because the converter was being stalled higher because of the gearing.

The 4T65E is electronic and if your voltages sag too much, will malfunction -- and how.