battery problem or something else

[raflad67]

Mate, after many years doing DIY servicing the most important thing I learned was knowing when to throw the battery away! 4-5 years from new. Anything more than that is a bonus. In car electrics you need to start with a known good reference point - the battery! I've seen so many people, including myself, try and convince themselves, and others that they can save 50 quid. They charge the battery, fine for a while, and just at the most inconvienient time the battery lets them down again. Even if replacing the battery doesn't fully clear the fault, it will be money well spent knowing that you will have a reliably starting car for the winter.

I spoke too soon.............nothing now! Was just gonna go and give it an hours run in daylight and this!

I think I have to get a new battery from Halfords asap and see what happens from there. This car is becoming a pain in the ar$£ tobe honest with you. Now I know why father in law gave it to me....since he has I have had 4 x new tyres, a steering wheel pump(?), leaky gearbox and now battery/starting problems and a service plus it's due MOT in Feb - can't wait.....think if it gets thru that I will try and get rid. For a car thats probably worth 700 squid its cost me about 500 upto now, must be mad.

Father in law doesnt know how old this battery is although he 'thinks' about 3.5 years.

Cheers

Anyway,

 

[Sospan]

problems and a service plus it's due MOT in Feb - can't wait.....think if it gets thru that I will try and get rid. For a car thats probably worth 700 squid its cost me about 500 upto now, must be mad.



Anyway,

If you are worried about the MOT you might want to consider getting one of these, worth peace of mind, especially if you think the brakes are pretty good, its the only major thing that can sting you.

p.s The only do cars under 12 years old DT_Xtremez_14:DT_Xtremez_14:DT_Xtremez_14:

 

[raflad67]

If you are worried about the MOT you might want to consider getting one of these, worth peace of mind, especially if you think the brakes are pretty good, its the only major thing that can sting you.

p.s The only do cars under 12 years old DT_Xtremez_14:DT_Xtremez_14:DT_Xtremez_14:

cheers for that although car hasnt been regularly services iaw vw so probably a no go.

 

[raflad67]

Jump started car and took it for an hours drive in daylight with nothing on, got back 5 mins later dead as a dodo...

Kicked it a few times and feel a lot better....but still won't start! lol

New battery tomorrow, can i just confirm that when removing it's negative then positive then other way round when connecting new one?

Cheers guys

 

[planesailing]

battery problem or something else

DT_Xtremez_17:The battery is probably as POO as the car, buy a new one!

 

[raflad67]

The saga continues......

The saga continues......

OK, update central: mate came round with his multimeter, car would not even turn over let alone start and battery showed as just below 12 on multimeter.

Jump started the car and checked again, showed as 14.5 (alternator ok I presume?).

I checked levels in battery and tbh they were a tad low so have topped up and now battery shows as 12.47 (without further charging!), in any case put battery back on optimate for it to check it out and will leave it on for a while.

When jump starting it turns over great so presume starter motor ok and with a good reading from multimeter when jump started alternator seems ok too.

Last attempt with this battery ! 40 quid for a new one on friday if not.

Any further thoughts muchas gracias...happy new year!

 

[grumpyoldb]

Jump started car and took it for an hours drive in daylight with nothing on, got back 5 mins later dead as a dodo...

Kicked it a few times and feel a lot better....but still won't start! lol

New battery tomorrow, can i just confirm that when removing it's negative then positive then other way round when connecting new one?

Cheers guys

Yes, disconnect -ve 1st, and re-connect last.

 

[John Lloyd]

The battery may show sufficient voltage and still be duff, the main indicator is the ampage available under load, the Optimate advertises a cycle load test, but it has indicated a servicable battery when a specialized discharge tester indicates a fail, all other readings you state indicate good charge from your alternator.

Bite the bullet man, buy the battery.

 

[raflad67]

The battery may show sufficient voltage and still be duff, the main indicator is the ampage available under load, the Optimate advertises a cycle load test, but it has indicated a servicable battery when a specialized discharge tester indicates a fail, all other readings you state indicate good charge from your alternator.

Bite the bullet man, buy the battery.

I am not Scottish ...honest. I will probably do so on Friday.

 

[raflad67]

The battery may show sufficient voltage and still be duff, the main indicator is the ampage available under load, the Optimate advertises a cycle load test, but it has indicated a servicable battery when a specialized discharge tester indicates a fail, all other readings you state indicate good charge from your alternator.

Bite the bullet man, buy the battery.

Before I bit the bullet, just had it on charge for a while and checked with multimeter, seems to be losing charge even as we speak.....bullet truly bitten and new batetry on friday!!

 

[raflad67]

Before I bit the bullet, just had it on charge for a while and checked with multimeter, seems to be losing charge even as we speak.....bullet truly bitten and new batetry on friday!!

I know you are all on the edges of your seats so just thought I would let you know I bought a new battery and fitted it and the car now starts!!

Next thing is to get the timing belt changed, anyone any idea how much I should be looking at? I understand parts are cheap but it takes a bit of time. Cheers again.

 

[John Lloyd]

I know you are all on the edges of your seats so just thought I would let you know I bought a new battery and fitted it and the car now starts!!

Next thing is to get the timing belt changed, anyone any idea how much I should be looking at? I understand parts are cheap but it takes a bit of time. Cheers again.

Depends who is doing it, but I would advise that if you are having your timing belt done, change your water pump as well, couple of quid cost for the pump and the timing belt has to come off to fit a new one, I've had 2 Polo water pumps fail at around the 90-100k mark

 

[Ex-Bay]

I know you are all on the edges of your seats so just thought I would let you know I bought a new battery and fitted it and the car now starts!!

Next thing is to get the timing belt changed, anyone any idea how much I should be looking at? I understand parts are cheap but it takes a bit of time. Cheers again.

New timing belt on my Astra = 100 quid.