Replacement batteries for 2.5 in the UK

Nikko · **Joined:** Sun May 29, 2011 6:00 am **Posts:** 2

Just had my 2.5 not start on me for the first time. I called out the RAC who started the car and tested the altenator/battery. The RAC man told me that the battery is on it's way out and needs replacing. The battery is the original Optima red top and i am struggling to find a alternative.

Has any UK members changed the battery on a 2.5 CRD, and if so what make or part no. did you buy and where did it come from.

Thanks,

Nick.

papaindigo · **Posted:** Sun May 29, 2011 10:03 am

Any battery that meets 3 conditions will do. 1) proper group (for the 2005-06 2.8L that's Group 34); 2) Cold Cranking Amps same as or more than your current battery; and 3) + and - cables will fit (for the 2005-06 the ideal is a Group 34R with reversed +/- poles but a regular Group 34 mounted backwards will do if the short - cable will reach). The sticky part you may find is many shops will just look at the "book" and insist that only a OEM battery will do or the book has no listing so they cannot sell you a battery. Push back hard as any battery that meets the 3 conditions will work. That said I do favor a sealed maintenance free battery.

Nikko · **Joined:** Sun May 29, 2011 6:00 am **Posts:** 2

papaindigo wrote:

Any battery that meets 3 conditions will do. 1) proper group (for the 2005-06 2.8L that's Group 34); 2) Cold Cranking Amps same as or more than your current battery; and 3) + and - cables will fit (for the 2005-06 the ideal is a Group 34R with reversed +/- poles but a regular Group 34 mounted backwards will do if the short - cable will reach). The sticky part you may find is many shops will just look at the "book" and insist that only a OEM battery will do or the book has no listing so they cannot sell you a battery. Push back hard as any battery that meets the 3 conditions will work. That said I do favor a sealed maintenance free battery.

Thanks for reply. My KJ is a 2004 2.5. Do you happen to know what group the battery would be in?

Nick.

papaindigo · **Posted:** Sun May 29, 2011 11:42 am

I don't have direct access to information on a 2004 2.5L CRD but my personal bet is group 34. The group # simply refers to the physical dimensions of a battery so just Google "automotive battery group size chart" and, if the group # is not on your current battery, check the dimensions of your current battery against what the chart shows. Keep in mind that there is some variation in size between different batteries within the same group. For example, as I recall, the Sears Platinum P-1 Group 34 battery I am currently using is slightly larger, sufficiently so that the unnecessary "insulation" blanket around the red top won't fit, than the OEM red top but the Sear's battery fits the tray just fine and the battery hold down clamp engages properly.

Billwill · **Posted:** Sun May 29, 2011 1:51 pm

My 2002 2.5 CRD battery failed after about 4 years. I also battled to find a replacement.....all this talk here of finding a "group 34" battery etc. does not apply here in darkest Africa!

Also we do not have Walmarts here although they are looking into expanding into this country! I found a replacement that had similar cranking amps (slightly less) than the original. Width of the battery was the same so the battery clamp works OK and terminals are correct but the lenght was a bit longer so I had to remove the battery tray and cut one end off so the new battery would fit.
I have now replaced it again after 5 years of use with the same type.....I only know that this battery apparently is fitted in the Merc 500 diesel 4X4...costs about 120 British Pounds.
Basicaly what I am suggesting is not to go by the book as far as a "Jeep KJ CRD" is concerned....get the battery suppliers to look up similar batteries from other makes of vehicle.

papaindigo · **Posted:** Sun May 29, 2011 2:35 pm

I wouldn't wish Walmart on any other country and wouldn't buy a battery from them anyway. For those of you who live where battery groups are not something normally referenced go to http://www.rtpnet.org/teaa/bcigroup.html for a chart of the dimensions. The KJ series domestic/export up through 2006 had a 4 or 6 cylinder gas engine or the VM diesel in various sizes. In all cases the battery of choice was a group 34 (LWH in mm 260x173x200 or inches 10.25x6 13/16x7 7/8 or close to that). The only difference is the V6 and the diesel called for a "stronger" battery than the 4 banger. I cannot speak for battery dealers outside the USA but inside they have a very nasty habit of looking in the "book" and claiming that only an OEM battery will do or that since the diesel is not listed they cannot or will not sell you a battery. As I've noted elsewhere this brings out the "L" word followed by the coloquial pants on fire. For a good replacement battery only 3 conditions must be met 1) external battery dimensions such that it fits the tray (yes I know the tray can be cut but I don't like that idea), doesn't touch the hood, and the battery hold down works; a battery of essentially the dimensions above will do fine; 2) sufficent Cold Cranking Amps, which translates to the same as or better than the OEM battery; 800CCA is a good standard; I have my doubts about cheaper 700CCA batteries and wouldn't dream of using anything below 700CCA; and 3) if you cannot get a battery with reversed +/- terminals be sure to get one that when mounted backwards (+ pole toward the drivers side here in the states - NOTE I have no clue as the the layout in right hand drive vehicles but the issue remains the same) still allows the +/- cables to be connected. On US versions of the KJ this can be an issue for the - cable as it's a bit on the short side.

Billwill · **Posted:** Mon May 30, 2011 7:48 am

On the RHD 2.5 CRD both the positive and the negative cables are very short....only just make it to the terminals...so it is pretty important to make sure the battery terminals are in the same location when choosing a new battery and yes ideally try to get a bettery that does need any modifications to make it fit. My replacement battery actually gave me good service and was still working fine when I replaced it last week with the same type.
The reason I replaced it was that about a year ago I had several wiring problems within the main harness. I was on a long trip and every time I turned on the wipers or turned on the aircon....there would be a "Ping" and the motor would die. It turned out that the charge voltage over the battery would rapidly rise to about 17 volts at which time the ECU would shut everything down! :cry:

The trouble was that this overcharging heated up the battery to the state where the sealed lead acid battery blew its sealing and sprayed acid all over the place....after repairing the initial problem I did not trust the battery as it was bulging and still trying to exhaust acid so I replaced it after a further year before it let me down!

Lancer · **Posted:** Tue May 31, 2011 4:51 am

As Papaindigo said, it'll probably be a group 34R. It'll need a fair whack (probably about 800CCA) to start the diesel. I'd go for another optima redtop or an Odyssey - both are very good, both are sealed and I think both are AGM - certainly the Odyssey is. Neither is cheap - probably about the £200 mark. Have a look at the ads of any UK LR/4wd magazine, there are quite a few dealers who sell both, but just tell them what model you want, rather than the vehicle you want it for.

There are those who say that the quality of optima has gone down in the last few years - I don't know about that because the one the dealer put in my CRD in 2006 is still going strong, but learning from the experience of others is why I come on this site! If that is the case, though, the Odyssey might be a better bet! Also have a look at Exide - I think they do a high CCA sealed battery as well but I don't know what they are like - I THINK they are stocked by Extreme4x4 - but again - have a look at the ads. Let us know how you get on.

I've just had a look - try www.tayna.co.uk. They stock Optima, Odyssey and Exide (the Maxxima looks to be the one to go for) - proces around the £240 mark.

fishd · **Posted:** Thu Jun 16, 2011 7:53 am

Not sure if you're still looking for this or not, I replaced my Optima Redtop last year and purchased from a company called "Specialised Leisure" based near Warrington, Cheshire. Cost about £155 IIRC.

warp2diesel · **Posted:** Thu Jun 16, 2011 10:57 am

papaindigo wrote:

I wouldn't wish Walmart on any other country and wouldn't buy a battery from them anyway. For those of you who live where battery groups are not something normally referenced go to http://www.rtpnet.org/teaa/bcigroup.html for a chart of the dimensions. The KJ series domestic/export up through 2006 had a 4 or 6 cylinder gas engine or the VM diesel in various sizes. In all cases the battery of choice was a group 34 (LWH in mm 260x173x200 or inches 10.25x6 13/16x7 7/8 or close to that). The only difference is the V6 and the diesel called for a "stronger" battery than the 4 banger. I cannot speak for battery dealers outside the USA but inside they have a very nasty habit of looking in the "book" and claiming that only an OEM battery will do or that since the diesel is not listed they cannot or will not sell you a battery. As I've noted elsewhere this brings out the "L" word followed by the coloquial pants on fire. For a good replacement battery only 3 conditions must be met 1) external battery dimensions such that it fits the tray (yes I know the tray can be cut but I don't like that idea), doesn't touch the hood, and the battery hold down works; a battery of essentially the dimensions above will do fine; 2) sufficent Cold Cranking Amps, which translates to the same as or better than the OEM battery; 800CCA is a good standard; I have my doubts about cheaper 700CCA batteries and wouldn't dream of using anything below 700CCA; and 3) if you cannot get a battery with reversed +/- terminals be sure to get one that when mounted backwards (+ pole toward the drivers side here in the states - NOTE I have no clue as the the layout in right hand drive vehicles but the issue remains the same) still allows the +/- cables to be connected. On US versions of the KJ this can be an issue for the - cable as it's a bit on the short side.

Walmart should change the name of their house brand from EverStart to NeverStart. :ROTFL:

I used to be an Optima Fan and as long as I get free eplacements ever year, I will use them. When Optima receives their shipment of ISO 900X Beans with serial numbers for their Bean Counters and no longer honor the warranty, I will go elsewhere. You may need to massage the clamps on the ends of the cables to get a standard Group 34 to fit, I had to, no big deal.

Replacement batteries for 2.5 in the UK

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