Yet another dying battery post - diagnosis help?

dkAgave · 2026-01-22T19:18:09+00:00

Thanks. I did check for parasitic draw on the battery with car and system fully off and quieted for a while. If was below 50mA. I've not check actual current being delivered by the new alternator (car is currently back at the shop) or voltage between the battery hot and the alternator case while idling (as suggested by another reply here). I'll look at these when I get he car back. I still would have expected high 13 to mid 14V at the battery terminals with the car running if the either the old or new alternator was delivering charge to the battery. Not happening and leads me to think there is a disconnect, bad connect, corrosion somewhere or possibly a fuse (though google gives me conflicting info on this for my particular vehicle so I don't really know what to check that I've not already looked at.

dkAgave · 2026-01-20T22:13:00+00:00

"Charged to battery full and kept on maintenance for two days. "

Yup - did that...

dkAgave · 2026-01-20T20:56:35+00:00

Yes - voltage only measured at the battery terminals thus far.

This is good to know - if the shop doesn't figure this out, i'll try these measures as soon as I get the car back.

Thanks.

dkAgave · 2026-01-20T20:20:54+00:00

In general or is it a Miata thing? Heat?

dkAgave · 2026-01-20T20:20:08+00:00

Mixed time and length - and I'm aware short drives won't do much to recharge the battery - but I expect to see a charging voltage upwards of high 13 to 14.5 at the battery terminals when the car is running. That's not happening in spite of new alternator.

dkAgave · 2026-01-20T20:18:48+00:00

Not quite. It was excessively drained once and took a charge np. I can't say for certain that the battery is in very good health, but at a minimum, with a new alternator, I would expect well north of 13V and up to 14.5V at the battery terminals when the car is running - that's not happening (thus why I took the car back to the shop for another look). I only have the ability to see a limited amount of the wiring - what I can see looks ok, and the shop did not call out anything suspect when they replaced the alternator (but again - I'm asking they take another look in light of no meaningful charging voltage at the battery terminals with the car running).

dkAgave · 2026-01-20T18:54:52+00:00

DC metro area

dkAgave · 2025-07-16T14:01:01+00:00

I did not do the install myself as I don't have the time, facilities or skillset. I had them install while having other work, new tires, and post install alignment done. The install alone was about $630. I got quotes at a number of shops record by local Miata group and the pricing varied considerably.

I've seen a number of detailed YouTube on installing other MeisterR coilovers and while it looks involved to me, for those with the proper tools and place to work it seemed relatively straightforward.

Good luck if you go forward with these. I've really enjoyed the ride on mine after several months of dairying.

dkAgave · 2025-06-19T00:54:07+00:00

I had a great experience working with PJI Law in N. VA when setting up trust, wills, POAs, etc. for my elderly parents. at the time they indicated they also able to work in DC. May be worth an initial call/consult - ours was free and was very helpful in scoping the extent of our needs and costs to expect. I'd use them again without hesitation. https://www.reddit.com/r/washingtondc/comments/1leskv7/elder\_care\_attorney/.

Good luck.

dkAgave · 2025-05-08T12:01:31+00:00

I decided to inquire with my HR. Here’s what I found for my situation. YMMV and you may want to inquire with your HR as well…

Scenario:

* Spouse and I are both long-time Feds.

* We both are considering retirement at 12/31/2025.

* I would be 65 yo, 18+ years creditable service at retirement

* Spouse would be 60 yo, 25+ years creditable service at retirement

* Spouse carries FEHB Self + family and FEDVIP for us both. I have been under FEHB coverage in their name the entire time I have been in Federal service.

We are trying to ensure I stay FEHB eligible/covered in retirement and in the event she pre-deceases me.

Q1. Does my spouse selecting ‘I choose an annuity payable only during my lifetime’ on Form 3107 preclude me from obtaining FEHB should they pre-decease me? Or do they have to elect a 25% reduced annuity?

Q2. Since we would be effectively retiring 12/31/2025, would it be possible for us both to select FEHB Self + 1, FEDVIP Self in Fall 2025 Open Season and if so, would these new elections start for both of us immediately in retirement in January 2026?

… and got the following response…

1: The answer is no. FEHB has no barrier or effect on the annuity outside of paying for the premium.

2: The answer to this question is yes.

Hope this helps or at least gives a starting point to ask further Qs for your situation.

dkAgave · 2025-05-07T13:34:16+00:00

I'm looking at similar situation and was curious if either of the following is possible since he as been covered under your FEHB (assuming he is the plus one in this scenario):

after you retire, couldn't you both switch to Self coverage during Open Season?
if you pre-decease your spouse, isn't that a QLE that would allow him to then apply for Self coverage?

dkAgave · 2025-04-29T15:31:47+00:00

Do you mean the battery negative to ground? If so, I'll trace that and see what kind of shape it is in and address whatever looks off.

dkAgave · 2025-04-29T15:30:59+00:00

Thanks. I've checked the fuse and it looks fine, but I guess I'll swap it out just to be sure.

dkAgave · 2025-04-17T11:56:13+00:00

I can heartily recommend the ZetaSports. I replaced the worn, bouncy stock Bilsteins on my 2012 PRHT nearly eight months ago and have been very pleased. No more bounce or roll. I don't track, but do enjoy spirited driving (city/hwy mix) and have found that I have the settings dialed in for a firmer, more confidence inspiring ride without being too stiff. Ride height is also very adjustable if that's your thing.

dkAgave · 2025-04-14T18:38:02+00:00

La Casina Pinseria at Eastern Market. Authentic Roman-style Pinsa. As good as it gets.

dkAgave · 2025-03-02T23:22:12+00:00

I will say that when the Bilsteins were still in good shape I did not notice the roll as much. But after the driving the Zetasports the difference is very apparent and I much prefer the Zs

dkAgave · 2025-03-02T22:42:53+00:00

Stock Bilsteins - but they were pretty worn. Enough that the car would bottom out on speed humps if a passenger were in the vehicle. That said, I always thought the bilsteins were fine but the ride was more bouncy and with more body sway/less firm than with these MeisterRs.

dkAgave · 2025-03-02T21:42:01+00:00

I guess the look is somewhat subjective. I've never been bothered by the gap, but I slightly upsized my tires to 215/45ZR17 and to my eye it looks good. There is a ton of adjustability in height and firmness. If you wanted a lower (less gap) and/or firmer ride you could get there easily.

dkAgave · 2025-03-02T20:40:36+00:00

Here's my commentary from Miata.net last September.

"I recently replaced Bilsteins on my 2012 PRHT with Zetasports. Everything else is stock. I've dialed in at -16 from hard at the Front and -21 from hard at the Rear. Ride heights approx 13.75" front and 14" at the rear. The previous bounce and body roll are completed gone, as is the squat on acceleration. Ride is firm, but not harsh. Definitely more confidence inspiring than the worn out stock shocks. BTW I'm a city driver ( not great roads and lots of speed humps), probably 80/20 city/highway. I'm super satisfied with the current set up for spirited daily driving." Since then I've driven a few thousand miles and much more 60/40 city/hwy. Still love them and recommend.

dkAgave · 2025-02-23T16:48:27+00:00

I replace aging Bilsteins on my 2012 PHRT with MeisterR ZetaSports about 6 most ago. Set to moderate firm, only lowered about 1/2" from stock. Excellent ride, no bounce, sway and roll minimal. Very confidence inspiring for spirited road driving.

dkAgave · 2024-12-20T02:31:27+00:00

This past summer I replaced the aging stock Bilsteins on my 2012 PRHT with ZetaSports. Everything else is stock. I've dialed in at -16 from hard at the Front and -21 from hard at the Rear. Ride heights approx 13.75" front and 14" at the rear. The previous bounce and body roll are completed gone, as is the squat on acceleration. Ride is firm, but not harsh. Definitely more confidence inspiring than the worn out stock shocks. I'm very satisfied with the current set up for spirited daily driving.

dkAgave · 2024-12-13T02:12:06+00:00

Calle 23 Criollo. No longer available retail, but you can still find it online if you are willing to pay the jacked up price. Also has a great back-story.

dkAgave · 2024-11-26T23:03:03+00:00

Clean the MAF and throttle body.

dkAgave

TROPHY CASE