Even though most of us love our Souls, the main problem with bad starting and a b'zillion other electrical problems on the Soul relate right back to the Horrible Grounding between the car and the battery. It's the Ghost in the Machine!!! And Kia has still not fixed this vexing problem. We have to do it ourselves.

In my previous post, I show the battery and the little short ground cable that bolts down to the driver side Strut Tower. ALERT!!! It bolts down to a painted surface.
Electronics 101....electricity does not flow through paint!!! Believe that!

If you will do nothing else to improve the electrical system on your Soul, at least take that connector off and scrape the paint off of the strut tower where the ground cable attaches to it, so you have a nice bare metal to bare metal connection.

The entire car has to ground through that one little Horribly Inadequate connection. Before I added the extra Grounding Cable, the engine and all its electronics had to ground to the body via another little cable, bolted down to the well painted passenger side strut tower.

Click on the pic to enlarge.

That's one more place, to remove the paint under the ground connector.*

* Be careful when re-tightening that little black bolt....it's brittle and can break if you over tighten. Please, don't ask me how I know.

The bolt in the picture is a shiny silver one, that I used as a replacement, also in a new hole, which I drilled and threaded myself.

Cheers Mates and Happy Motoring, and hopefully with better grounds.

Y'all have a great 2018!

FL Hamster

 

When I used to keep my cars for much longer than I do now I would replace the battery at 4 years old as a matter of course. My last 3 cars I have traded at 4 years old still with the original battery. However as with all things a battery can go bad at any age.

Pat.

 

Well got up and it was a balmy 10 degrees out. Got in and the car started but it sounded sluggish.
Ran over to walmart they had 2 so got the one dated 1/2018.
Its was 9 at night asked about warranty replacement they gave me nonsense about having to call manufacturer they only relplace within 90 days.

So had to buy it as i cant risk it not starting and gonna be even colder coming up. Ill go fight with them when have time and return the one i bought.

Checked the battery it would drop voltage after car was off. Get down to 11.6. Hooked a battery load tester and went to the low range not to bad.

One thing though is new battery i bought says 550cca old one was 600. Its same battery.

 

screwing around on the old inter-web
Looks like battery group size 35 is abought an inch longer and .10 inch wider but has more CCA

gotta measure but think that would fit

 

I don't want any Walley World Batteries in my Car.

I would call Batteries Plus and ask what they have that would fit it.
Ask what is the Cheapest for the people that don't want to spend any money.
Then ask which is the most expensive which is usually a AGM battery Probably the X2 Since I have already bought them.
Might be more than most of you fine chaps want to pay for.

The X2 comes with a free 60 month replacement also.
It has Brass Post.
But ask if your charger will work to charge this battery before you put it on the battery.
Things has changed on AGM batteries and just sticking any Charger on it.

https://www.batteriesplus.com/batte...tery/car-and-truck/kia/optima/2015/l4-2.4l-760cca-gas?q=2015 KIa Optima Battery

I would start by learning which cars takes a Battery maintainer to plug into your cigarette lighter to maintain power to your computer before changing out a battery.
Some cars require this to keep from losing everything that is in memory.

 

I'd not discount a batteries quality just because it's sold at Walmart. Those batteries, the Ever Start, are made by the same company that makes batteries for many other retail outlets. Going on the internet, it's almost impossible to find out just who makes any particular battery, but one thing for sure, here in the US it's going to be one of three companies. Johnson Controls makes most of them, since they have bought out many old battery manufacturers.

When I was testing batteries for CAT, some years ago, we tested batteries from almost a dozen companies, and today most of those are Gone. Except for the Diehard battery, which was the worse one we ever tested.

Well, they're not really gone GONE, but many were absorbed by Johnson Controls, now the largest battery manufacturer in the US.

Several years ago, I spent a premium price for an Interstate 1000cca battery for my car. In two years it shot craps. Interstate gave me an "Adjustment" which still cost me about $100.

I have bought several 'Ever Start' batteries from my local Walmart store and they seem to be just as good as any other I've ever bought. I have four of them here in my house, backing up my three UPS's. I like the fact that they are "Full Maintenance" so that I can monitor their fluid levels and add water when necessary, since they are always on 'Charge'. When the OEM battery in my car, which is now five+ years old, gives up the ghost, it will be replaced by an Ever Start battery.
I really don't like the so-called Maintenance Free Battery, because it's going to fail, eventually, due to fluid loss, and there's not a dang thing you can do about it, except replace it.

Cheers Mates and may all your battery problems be little ones!

Happy Trails

FL Hamster

 

I worked as a mechanic.
Customers bought batteris at Walmart all the time.
Have a Buddy that works in Walmart Automotive Dept.

The batteries at Walmart are not good batteries.
They are not build to good quality standards.

If you want one, go get one.
It will not be in my car.
When I get a battery.
I want the best made battery with the Best warranty I can get on it.
Last thing I want is to get away from the house and the battery to not crank the ride.

 

The Walmart EverStart MAXX are top rated batteries by Consumers Reports. But Consumer Reports also warns that any Brand can have both the best rated batteries and the worst rated batteries during the same testing period. To complicate things further, a highly rated battery can fall the following testing period due to production changes.

 

I posted that I work on everything that people has bought from Walmart and their batteries are not quality built.
And I also posted that I have a Buddy that I grew up with that works in the Automotive department.
He put the batteries in. Changes tires and everything they do in the automotive dept.
He hates to see a person come in and buy a battery.
Cause their batteries are not built to hold up.
Customers bring them back all the time.
And what do you do. Come on here and tell me about consumer reports that is on the internet.
There is no way that anybody can help you.
You already know more than the people working on the job and at the company.
Trying to help and save you a heart ache.

Wish you good luck.

 

I appreciate the input from everyone here. I just posted that info from CR because I thought that it might explain why different people have different experiences with a brand (any brand).

Personally, I have bought batteries from Wal-Mart when they sold Energiser in the past and had them last at over 5 years. Trouble free. But it has been a long time at least 7 years since my last battery purchase. The CR article did also warn about brand loyalty. :beaten:

 

I just posted that info from CR because I thought that it might explain why different people have different experiences with a brand (any brand).

I know in another thread some time ago, somebody who'd been in the biz (mighta been FLHamster) opined that it didn't matter too much what brand you bought, all were capable of making good batteries. The thing was, buy the highest capacity battery that would fit, and don't buy the battery manufacturer's cheapest line of batteries (which are, of course, engineered to be as cheap as possible).

 

Not true on batteries. They use less material on plates and grid (Lead) on the batteries with lower warranty, it's by design, to lower the cost, no matter who is the manufacturer.
On some AGM batteries they even use purer lead (marketed as "Thin Plate Pure Lead Technology"), instead of recycled lead. Recycled lead has antimony and tin impurities that accelerate the battery's grid damage.

Starter batteries have a very low internal resistance that is achieved by adding extra plates in parallel for maximum surface area. The plates are thin and the lead is applied in a sponge-like form that has the appearance of fine foam, expanding the surface area further. For its size, the battery is able to deliver high current but it cannot be deep-cycled.

 

Good news seems that my battery is not on it's way out afterall. No starting issues since. Never any battery lights lighting up either. Keeping it plugged in on those cold days regularly now.

Ran some tests with a voltmeter after fully charging the battery with a charger during that cold spell. Everything checked out good. Holding a full charge. Good voltages across grounds. Getting full charge voltage from alternator. Passed starting load test. Performed a stress test by turned on everything one by one and system does not flinch at all.

But still not clear on what the actual size group my OEM battery belongs to. or what group size the 70Ah OEM option is. Would make shopping for a replacement easier when the time comes to replace it. The dealer does say that the 70Ah will fit my car. So that size is an option now too.

 

If you do the search here:
https://www.interstatebatteries.com/car-and-truck-batteries
https://www.batteriesplus.com/Battery/Car-and-Truck

You will find out that the correct battery group (BCI) is 121R for cars without ISG option (or AGM 48/H6 with the option ISG).

A comparation of dimensions: http://www.batteryweb.com/bci.cfm

 

Like I said in my prevoius posts. I have done those searches and more and get those same results. But the 121R is clearly NOT the battery in my car. My battery is much larger battery physically than the 121R. Most searches for a 121R at retailers are also a lesser battery capacity wise than the battery in my car. I only found 2 that are comparable in capacity.

Even the spec in the GEN2 Service Manual is also wrong. The battery listed in there is NOT the battery in my car either. It's smaller in capacity than the battery I have. Makes me think that the 121R is actually a GEN1 battery and this info has somehow eluded those searches??

The other option Group 48 that comes up in these searches is also NOT the battery in my car. That battery is bigger physically and in capacity than my battery.

Definitely do not want to run heated steering wheel, seats, side mirrors, wiper deicers, front and rear defrost, entertainment system, plus all those other systems on a lesser battery.

This has made shopping for an equivalent or upgraded battery very difficult. This used to be so easy. :smile:

 

Like I said in my prevoius posts. I have done those searches and more and get those same results. But the 121R is clearly NOT the battery in my car. My battery is much larger battery physically than the 121R. Most searches for a 121R at retailers are also a lesser battery capacity wise than the battery in my car. I only found 2 that are comparable in capacity.

Even the spec in the GEN2 Service Manual is also wrong. The battery listed in there is NOT the battery in my car either. It's smaller in capacity than the battery I have. Makes me think that the 121R is actually a GEN1 battery and this info has somehow eluded those searches??
The other option Group 48 that comes up in these searches is also NOT the battery in my car. That battery is bigger physically and in capacity than my battery.

I don't know, did you look it up on a Canadian OM? It might be something different for colder climates.
Or if the websites are wrong, the manual is wrong... you don't think that somehow your battery is the wrong size? Being too big of a battery can stress the alternator (especially if you ever deep discharge it). And based on my experience the alternators on Hyundai/Kia are lets say... delicate.
In one of my links there are all the batteris dimensions - you can reverse look it up.

PS: BCI Group 48 is for cars with ISG system. That system comes with a beefed-up alternator and starter.

 

It doesn't matter what you run while the car is running. The battery is there for cranking and with key off. Just get a battery that fits and be done with it.

Your alternator runs the accessories.

 

~The Price & Warranty made it a easy pick~
Just go to Wal-Mart and get the MAXX battery with free install ...3 year (best warranty) Free Replacement $100.62 ~ Be done, and can get warranty service any where in the country "most cities"

 

Duracell 121r from Sam's Club fits fine in my 2016 Base as far as the mounting bracket and tray are concerned, but the battery width is slightly smaller so the foam wraparound didn't fit. I cut the foam and taped it around the battery. Now it fits.

 

My favorite battery store (Costco) does not stock the 121R (none in Northern CA) so had to seek another source when our Souls battery started acting up. Ended up going to WalMart and had a 124R installed. The 124R is less than an inch taller than the original battery, but fits inside the insulating jacket fine (width and depth must be similar to OEM on the 2.0L). I saw some 121Rs which are clearly narrower than the 124r. The replacement warranty is only 6 months shorter than the Interstates sold at Costco and there are more WalMarts around than Costcos. It was also nice watching someone install the battery as opposed to the DIY that I have done with the Costco batteries. Hopefully the battery will behave better than the OEM that became skitterish at 3 years of age. I am amazed how much other places are charging for the Soul batteries--mine was a bit over $100 after taxes.

 

Curiously, I did a replacement battery search for what other Kia /Hyundai cars with a 2.0 used. Turns out the 124R is a popular replacement. Physical size is similar to my current battery. Perfomance equal to or better than my current battery. Sounds like the most promising replacement.

 

Walmart 26r.
Game...set...match!!!

 

Walmart 26r.


Game...set...match!!!

I just replaced the Walrus World battery in my wife's PT. It was installed July 31, 2010 for $47. She drives 1000 miles a year.

After my Soul got rear-ended--I need to do a thread on that experience--on April 8 I had a spare car. But it didn't start, she's been out of town and her PT sat for a few weeks. USAA sent a tow truck out but he got it jumped and he recommended Battery Wholesale. I drove in, guy replaced the battery, $92.60 and I drove out 30 minutes later.

I don't know what "brand" it is, it's 26R-48 520CCA 650 CA 75m in RC. Whatever that means. Free replacement for 12 months.

When I had the O&F done at the local Mazda shop last year the guy said the cable was corroded and oh so grody and probably needed replacing. Not true. The terminal WAS covered in green, my bad for not doing due diligence in maintenance, but otherwise all was good. Guy cleaned things up, popped in the new battery, away I went.

I have one of those lighter-plug "settings saver" dealies that uses a 9V battery, those will save radio etc. settings.

 

Zerogee: I just had local dealer put one in mine. My manual says something about having to reset various electronic things if you remove the battery. Dealer said they put electronic hookup on batt cables to prevent that. $139.95. Forgot to ask about warranty! Not sure about your model. Hope you get it figured out.

 

Zerogee: I just had local dealer put one in mine. My manual says something about having to reset various electronic things if you remove the battery.

Last week I disconnected the negative cable for about 45 minutes to install cruise.
All radio settings remained.
Only had to reset clock and day/date.

 

Just put in Interstate 42mo #39 from Costco. $95.

On Gen2 just remove lower front clamp (one bolt, extension socket). Don't remove or loosen computer on driver side of battery. No need to mess with with air filter either.

Very easy.

 

My 2019 has room in the battery tray for a 48PLT (AGM in stock at local O'Reilly's for $184.99)
875 ca, 700 cca, 120 reserve
11" x 6 15/16 x 6 15/16"

O'Reilly's 121R
750 ca, 600 cca, 110 reserve
8 1/4 x 7 x 8 1/2"

https://images.firstcallonline.com/parts/img/documents/marketing/catalogs/batteryquickref.pdf

 

I think they changed the battery tray in 2016 to accept the larger AGM. Most AGMs will not fit in my tray, they are too long.

 

I have yet to replace my battery. Early last winter, I got a smart charger and put the battery on charge overnight every night for a week. Cleaned the terminals (they looked good, but did them anyway). Made sure they were snug. Appears to have refreshed the battery for now. No issues all winter.

I dont remember reseting anything. Must not have been a hassle.

 

Replaced my OE battery today, which was nearly 6 1/2 yrs old. Drove fine one day and next day would not crank. Would not start off a jump box either. Got a WallyWorld EverStart MAXX 121R. It came with 3 yr replacement at NC and 2 yr pro rate after that.

 

That's a good battery nick. I was going to use that as well but a friend called from Costco & said they could pick me up an Interstate #39. Same warranty & really good fitment on both. I couldn't believe how easy it was to swap out.

My old battery was still working but consistently tested "Replace Battery." It would fully charge after a 30 minute drive but after 3 days in the garage, be down to about 20% state of charge. I was surprised it still started the car.

 

With the new CVT transmission, I think the smart thing to do now is wait for others to take the plunge and see if issues will appear.

I never buy new cars anyway... they loose 30% of their value when you drive them off the lot.

 

I work in logistics (a transportation sub-segment). I've been involved with a few different battery manufacturing plants in the Midwest as well as a few remanufacturing facilities. The part about thickness of plates and quality/purity of materials is true. The part about same battery different warranty based on price is sometimes true, depends on brand/line.
The important part I want to share is quality. I know too much to trust ANY one brand. The "basic" batteries get crossed among brands and lines with little concern (other than group size) prior to labeling. Depending on volume purchased and which buyer the labels may not even be on them, but rather in a box. They watch what brands are selling, label the blanks accordingly and Viola! the shelves are restocked.
I do prefer vented, those can be inspected and maintained. I do prefer 5-6year warranty with at least 3year free. Around here those are $90-$100 retail at certain handyman stores. If you buy one with a warranty MAKE sure they mark the battery and mark it CORRECTLY, otherwise they can weasel out of it. I normally buy a dual post, it has both top and side posts. On my other Kia I used the top for the factory connection and the side ground to the engine.
Edit: the tsb says it will mess with the battery monitor, which it really could. On an out of warranty car I wouldn't hesitate.