Battery warranty

[LS1-5.7]

Hi guys, just had my 23 month old battery show me signs of cold start failure in the SS. The battery is an AC Delco premium 530 CCA unit. Holden won't replace it as they claim it is only covered for 12 months or 20k kms.
Months = 23, km's = 15k. Rang AC delco direct who informed me that their batteries (my one in particular) are covered by a 30 month warranty.
So here we have a dealer refusing to replace their own product that has failed well within the manufacturers warranty period for whatever reason. Is it time to start using the name Dept of Fair Trading ..... ??? Would like to hear from someone with some case law facts in relation to the same :)

[Deanss-v]

Just go to a place like battery world or A1 Battery Pro and get them to do the warranty change over. :)

[planetdavo]

Approach the parts manager and tell them what your conversation with AC Delco said. It's possible that with the variety of different batteries around, they simply stuffed up by thinking it was one with a lower warranty.
Your battery should have a sticker on it with the warranty conditions, and you should (hopefully for you) still have the invoice, so as long as it is a legitimate failure, and not a failure due to overcharging or some other condition not covered, it really can't be rejected.
If the manager refuses to listen, speak to the dealer principal.

[LS1-5.7]

Am not sure if they'll want to know about it since they did not fit it. Have you had success with batteryworld b4 ?

Davo, I've spoken to two service advisors and am waiting to hear from the Service manager as we speak, but he is reluctant to call me back it would appear. I am approaching the service dept first as they fitted it when they sold me the battery originally. I told them up front that it was an AC Delco premium unit with 30 months warranty, yet it was easier for them to stand their ground with their 12month/20k kms statement. The battery is definitely at fault as charge rates and latent current draw have all been checked. Furthermore the battery has never been allowed to fully discharge since new. With the amount of time they'll spend duckin & weavin it will have been much cheaper for them to honour their warranty obligation from the start I think ....

[Toddler78]

I think the reason that holden give you a 12month warrenty which is correct, read your manual, it is stated in there. AC delco may well be offereing a 30 month warrenty, but these warrentys are from date of purchase as with your 12 month warrent, whos to say that holden had not had these batteries sitting for 6months before fitting to a new car and then the car sitting there for another 18months before you buy it?

My car is 4 years old 90,000km and I am onto my 3rd battery the 2nd one I got from the RAA which offer a 24month warrenty, which I used as my 2nd battery lasted 14 months

personally I think for the time and effort required V's the cost of a battery I would just grab another one and pay for it.

[redvxr8clubby]

My battery just failed - about 15 months old - going to see the supplier tomorrow - I can't remember warranty on it. I think pro rata between 1 and 3 years. This battery never seemed as good as the old battery (prior to it failing completely of course). Is short battery life a LS1 charcteristic? Car only gets used once a week, then sits in the garage until next weekend.

[comm]

It's like luck of the draw with batteries i paid good money for one with 24 months warranty thinking it would last a bit longer and it lasted 23months.
wtf, i give up..I should have got the cheap one...

[redvxr8clubby]

So was 24 months warranty prorata after 12 months - so virtually useless at 23 months?

[Toddler78]

So was 24 months warranty prorata after 12 months - so virtually useless at 23 months?

my warrenty is 24months if it fails at 23 months it is fully covered, they will come out and replace it for me no questions asked, they just runn a few quick teats on it to make sure that it simply isnt flat but instead not holding charge.

I dont think it is a problem with LS1s over any other car. the worst thing you can do to a battery to shorten its life is only use it seasonally/short stints, in your case once a week, which puts additional load into the cells, thus leaving them more prone to failing

[vlcalais8]

If I was you I'd get a written letter from AC Delco and take it to the dealer that should push them to swap the battery for you

[LS1-5.7]

ok I think I've had a win with this one. I simply put it on AC Delco to come good with the warranty they stipulate on their batteries and they are dropping a new one off to me tomorrow. They even asked me why the dealer would not honour the warranty to which I could only offer a "F.I.I.K" reply.
Sometimes it pays to do the homework and hit em between the eyes with the facts :)