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I have tried twice to install my new Optima 34R battery in my 2004 MCS. The first time I thought the battery was weak or dead as the light in the boot was flickering. I took it back out, and tested it, tested fine. Figured I must not have had a good connection. So I tried again. Had a hard time getting the positive clamp onto the positive terminal fully. Used a little force on the clamp arm and got it on but no light. I user my multimeter to measure the volts, nothing. I had already tested it not in the car and it was 12 Volts as expected. I tried pushing on the terminal toward the center of the battery. 12V. It seems the cabling and clamp put enough torque on the terminal as to disconnect it from the power internally. I took it out again. Measure voltage and it is 12V. So what is the trick to get it hooked up without putting so much torque on the positive terminal?
Spread the clamp until it slips on, then tighten the nut and bolt. Never put twisting, or pushing force on a bat terminal.. Never tap the clamp on with a hammer.
...and it was 12 Volts as expected....again. Measure voltage and it is 12V.
I had no issues what so ever with the 34R in a 2003 so something is going on here that is unusual. You should have someone look at it with you to see if there is something you missed.
That said a fully charge auto battery should read 13.2 volts. If it reads only 12, it is not fully charged or physically damaged.
Yo's Dad. Thanks for that tip. I will give that a try today. Rich, I have an analog multimeter which I know I am not supposed to use but that is all I had and it was a simple test on the battery. 12, 13.2 not much difference on an analog multimeter.
