brwengel Posted June 9, 2019 Report Share Posted June 9, 2019 So I just had my eighth battery in a car that 10 years old; I’d really be upset if six of them wouldn’t have been covered under warranty, but that’s another story. So after I picked up from the dealer, I decided to look at the battery to see how old it was. A quick inspection found the battery tray had corroded to the point of almost failing to hold the battery in place. My biggest disappointment was that the dealer was always trying to sell me extras I didn’t need, but never suggested replacing my battery tray. Much to my surprise, I found that it simply bolts in place and could easily be replaced. So I ordered one, and ordered paint used to protect battery compartments on small aircraft, after a couple of coats with the special paint I had a new battery tray installed for about $150 (the paint is kinda expensive for a quart). Since the battery on the Journey is tucked up in the drivers side wheel well, nobody hardly ever sees it. Next time you have your wheel off, check your battery tray. Happy Motoring. jkeaton 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2late4u Posted June 9, 2019 Report Share Posted June 9, 2019 guess it depends where you live had my journey for 5 yrs no problem here of course they dont use much salt jkeaton 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
km-04 Posted June 10, 2019 Report Share Posted June 10, 2019 Glad to see you got that fixed. Stealerships are horrible with that up-sell every time you come in for something, no matter how minor. Good advice on checking the tray next time the wheel is off. jkeaton 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mechanical-idiot Posted June 12, 2019 Report Share Posted June 12, 2019 We have our car rust checked every year, so we don't have to worry about the battery shelf, since it is coated for us. If we didn't get it done, I would buy a can of Rust Check and coat the damn thing myself. I have a can of it that I spray on the hinges etc. Love that stuff. mechanical-idiot jkeaton 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkeaton Posted June 12, 2019 Report Share Posted June 12, 2019 Owned two journeys. 2009 and 2013 for 4 years each. Never had a battery issue, so I never checked mine...lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brwengel Posted July 14, 2019 Author Report Share Posted July 14, 2019 Well I live in Atlanta and we use zero salt down here. This car has 300,000 miles and has never seen a snow storm...... I think it’s from the junk Chrysler batteries (they’re made by Johnson Controls). On a side note, I’ve had about 12 incidents over the last 10 years where the car would not start, take it to the dealer (because I have a LifeTime Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty) and they always tell me it’s the battery or the starter or the Win Module. None of which have solved the problem, I’ve just learned to live with it...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brwengel Posted August 5, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 5, 2019 On 7/13/2019 at 8:55 PM, brwengel said: Well I live in Atlanta and we use zero salt down here. This car has 300,000 miles and has never seen a snow storm...... I think it’s from the junk Chrysler batteries (they’re made by Johnson Controls). On a side note, I’ve had about 12 incidents over the last 10 years where the car would not start, take it to the dealer (because I have a LifeTime Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty) and they always tell me it’s the battery or the starter or the Win Module. None of which have solved the problem, I’ve just learned to live with it...... I should add that there is a plastic liner under the battery inside this tray, so you actually have to remove the plastic tray to see any damage..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy James Posted August 3, 2020 Report Share Posted August 3, 2020 Had my 2011 Dodge Journey SXT for 8.5 year now. Realized the driver side front tire was rubbing the wheel well mud guard liner a bit. Took the tire and mud guard liner off and realized that the battery acid had boiled over and have been eating the steel tray all these years. The battery was hanging by a thread. If you see orange color stain on your driveway or garage floor be suspicious that your battery acid is boiling over. As to why the battery acid is boiling over ? I think the electrical system is over charging the battery. There you go again, Dodge !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkeaton Posted August 3, 2020 Report Share Posted August 3, 2020 (edited) 42 minutes ago, Jimmy James said: Had my 2011 Dodge Journey SXT for 8.5 year now. Realized the driver side front tire was rubbing the wheel well mud guard liner a bit. Took the tire and mud guard liner off and realized that the battery acid had boiled over and have been eating the steel tray all these years. The battery was hanging by a thread. If you see orange color stain on your driveway or garage floor be suspicious that your battery acid is boiling over. As to why the battery acid is boiling over ? I think the electrical system is over charging the battery. There you go again, Dodge !! Thank you for reporting in. You sure it has nothing to do with having the vehicle for 8.5 years and never inspection the battery? Edited August 3, 2020 by jkeaton yyz and OhareFred 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John/Horace Posted August 4, 2020 Report Share Posted August 4, 2020 On 6/9/2019 at 7:10 PM, brwengel said: So I just had my eighth battery in a car that 10 years old; I’d really be upset if six of them wouldn’t have been covered under warranty, but that’s another story. So after I picked up from the dealer, I decided to look at the battery to see how old it was. A quick inspection found the battery tray had corroded to the point of almost failing to hold the battery in place. My biggest disappointment was that the dealer was always trying to sell me extras I didn’t need, but never suggested replacing my battery tray. Much to my surprise, I found that it simply bolts in place and could easily be replaced. So I ordered one, and ordered paint used to protect battery compartments on small aircraft, after a couple of coats with the special paint I had a new battery tray installed for about $150 (the paint is kinda expensive for a quart). Since the battery on the Journey is tucked up in the drivers side wheel well, nobody hardly ever sees it. Next time you have your wheel off, check your battery tray. Happy Motoring. Is that the old tray or a used replacement. If battery is replaced that often obviously something wrong with charging system or you have a bunch of aftermarket stuff dragging down charging system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OhareFred Posted August 4, 2020 Report Share Posted August 4, 2020 (edited) I live in Chicago where they put enough salt down to choke a horse, and my 09 battery tray is fine. Replaced the battery once so far.... Edited August 4, 2020 by OhareFred jkeaton 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brwengel Posted September 18, 2020 Author Report Share Posted September 18, 2020 The picture is of my old tray. The battery has been replaced nine times in 11 years. I’d have to say nothing was wrong with most of those batteries. Like I said, when I bring it to the dealer and I have a LifeTime Bumper to Bumper warranty, we’ll they have to find something to replace when I complain about it not starting. Truth of the matter is, that I’ve found it’ll start eventually if you wait long enough and it’s definetly not the battery or the starter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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