# Battery and Service Quandary **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** batteries\ **Created:** [October 11, 2008, 8:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/battery-and-service-quandary/20621 "2008-10-11T20:26:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![TeachontheBeach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9a140/32.png) [@TeachontheBeach](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TeachontheBeach)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 8:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/battery-and-service-quandary/20621/1 "2008-10-11T20:26:42Z")
I have a 07 Honda Odyssey, and recently it didn’t start. Upon checking the battery terminals, there was a surprising amount of corrosion (just serviced 3 mos ago). I went to the dealer to ask how was this missed and they said the battery was bad and replaced it. Yet, when I looked at the battery it looked like it had just been cleaned up. (There were even swipe marks under the terminal wires, corrosion drips on the side and front - even different colors of corrosion.) I took it back and they said the repair guy put the dirty terminals on the “new” battery and then used the cleanup solution. I just can’t believe that. I didn’t get charged, but they billed $80 to the warranty service. Does this seem right? Would you trust that service department again? ---
**Author:** ![mr\_josh](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mr_josh/32/3008_2.png) [@mr\_josh](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mr_josh)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 8:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/battery-and-service-quandary/20621/2 "2008-10-11T20:41:02Z")
Yeah, I think it’s reasonable. There are a lot of ways for corrosion residue to get on the new battery. And really, if the corrosion residue has been neutralized with a base (I assume that’s what the cleanup solution is) then it doesn’t pose much of a threat. I think you are correct in being cautious because it’s not the neatest job in the world, but in this case I’m not entirely sure that it’s dishonest or wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2008, 12:20am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/battery-and-service-quandary/20621/3 "2008-10-12T00:20:13Z")
I agree with Josh. $80.00 !!! Well I would not be surprised if the warranty service (I assume this was a non-factory insurance policy calling itself a warranty) actually paid something closer to half that amount, unless it included a new battery and it sounds like it did not. As far as trusting them, I would say unless they claimed to replace the battery and they did not, then there was nothing dishonest. ---
**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2008, 4:33am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/battery-and-service-quandary/20621/4 "2008-10-12T04:33:46Z")
Have that battery looked at real closely by someone else. Remove it for inspection if need be. There should be a production code on that battery somewhere. This is usually a small tag or sticker that should have a recent month/year date code on it. Since this was a recent battery swap (allegedly?) the battery should have a code on it with something like 7/08 on it. (July 2008 and so on.) If your current battery has a 6/06 sticker on it then you been had. (2006 because your 2007 vehicle was more than likely built in the summer/fall of '06. You can verify production date of the vehicle by the tag on the drivers door jam. It will be marked the same way.) Hope that helps.