Block heater installed, new battery... van won't start

[Shaynelle]

We're in -21 degree celcius weather right now and our van won't start. It's a 96 Safari. It was fine the previous two winters, even without plugging it in it started (usually) no problem. We were in Washington DC this past summer and our van crapped out on the side of the road. When we went back to the shop with it the mechanic told us it was the battery, so we bought one at Auto Zone. I think the battery is a piece of crap (it had the same ratings as our old reliable Costco battery) so I want to buy another one from Costco again. I'm kicking myself for leaving the old one as I believe it wasn't the battery at all because shortly after that our alternator went and it's since been replaced.

So, since we had no problems with the van starting with the Costco battery, does it make sense this Auto Zone battery is most likely garbage? I want to pick up a new battery this coming week... that is, as soon as we can get the van started. It won't start even when we plug it in :(

Any other suggestions for us to try?

Shaynelle

[LiftedAWDAstro]

Does it crank over ok, nice and fast? Do the headlights come on nice and bright? If so it isn't the battery. Let us know and we can go from there.

[Shaynelle]

My husband last started the van and said the first time he had troubles he used the autostart and it just drained the battery (he didn't realize the van wasn't actually starting and hit it a few times in an attempt to warm the van up so we could take our baby out in it), so he recharged the battery and the next time tried autostart once, no go. Then he manually started the van and it took a few seconds but it did turn over. So I think you're right in thinking it may not be the battery. We had no issues the past two winters, in the same minus degree temperatures and the only differences are a) new alternator, and b) new battery. Do you think it may be the starter going perhaps? Any way to test it?

Thanks,
Shaynelle

[Water Boy]

I've only had one bad Auto Zone battery. Was under warranty.

Check the cables.
Check the cables.
Check the cables.
ALL attachment points

I've seen more starting problems from cables than anything else.
I've seen what was felt to be a tight cable to battery was mostly corrosion holding it on.

[Shaynelle]

Thanks, we will check the connections. Being cold enough it could cause some materials to expand and shift I'm assuming, so it makes sense it may just be happening now in the frigid weather. Someone else told me to check the coolant level, which we do whenever we do an oil change but will double check that as well. Any other suggestions would be great, thanks very much.

Shaynelle

[LiftedAWDAstro]

The problem is not in the battery or charging system. The problem is moisture under the distributor cap. My 98 won't start with the remote start right now due to this issue. It will actually flood trying to start and then I have real trouble starting with the key afterwards. I am just too lazy to repair them. Do a tune up and it will be good as new.

[Shaynelle]

Van still won't start (it's been over a week now) so we bought a new battery at Costco, took out the auto zone battery, popped in the costco battery and the van started perfectly!

So it was the battery after all! It was weird because both batteries have the same ratings... so the auto zone battery must be defective. Thankfully they have a three year warranty but I am not interested in trying them again.

Should I trade in the old one for a new auto zone battery then sell the new one? I want to keep the costco one.

[LiftedAWDAstro]

I stand corrected! Can you take the battery back and get a refund?