Flat Battery

Anonymous · October 17, 2003, 14:35

Any one had trouble with their battery? Mine is currently going flat to the point of not turning the starter motor (but not completely flat - alarm clock etc still ok) on a regular basis. It used to happen if I left car in garage for a week if away but now it seems that even 2-3 days without running the engine will leave me having to jump start it. I am guessing there is a short somewhere but am also concidering a new battery to see if that fixes things before an expensive garage bill. Any ideas? Could the Alarm be draining it this much? I've already disconnected a handsfree kit to see if that would help but alas no.

Anonymous · October 17, 2003, 14:42

How old is your battery?

Generally speaking, car batteries have a life span of approx. 2 years.

Anonymous · October 17, 2003, 14:42

Are you sure its the battery that is actually going flat? There are starting problems that some people have - they get the coils replaced and this sorts it out.... just a thought.

Slacey · October 17, 2003, 14:59

Quote from: "lescalder"(but not completely flat - alarm clock etc still ok)

You got an alarm clock?! No fair! I want one! s:lol: :lol: s:lol:

Anonymous · October 17, 2003, 15:12

Battery is original so is now over 3yrs old - I wonder if maybe it has developed a memory (though not sure if car batteries do this) like a laptop battery does after a few years and the colder weather is reducing the power. Will maybe try a new battery see if that helps - any idea how much? I guess £25 - 30 but looking at the odd size I suspect it will be more.

Anonymous · October 17, 2003, 15:18

Car batteries, just like all batteries, eventually run out of juice.

Nothing to do with memory and other misc conspiracy theories.

Anonymous · October 17, 2003, 15:22

I once saw a film where they put flat car batteries down to these little monsters call Gremlins. Check out the roof in your garage for Gremlins.

Honestly - conspiracy theories - I ask you s:? :? s:?

Peter Wright · October 17, 2003, 15:51

I had this promblem battery going flat while in the garage
I used to leave the key in the ignition
untill a mechanic told me to take the key out

so. do you leave the key in. if so maybe thats the problem dont kow why

Pete

zud · October 17, 2003, 16:02

I'd get the battery tested at a local garage/kwik-fit/car electrics place. It should be a simple, and free, two minute check.

Even if the battery's not the problem, it will probably be the quickest and cheapest problem to confirm or rule out.

Anonymous · October 17, 2003, 17:27

Just buy the PLOP PLOP tablets for the battery if you dont want to replace it just repalces the cathods stuff back into teh battery !

Oh but you can just upgrade from your halfords and get a better battery which in turn will be safer and better for the car!

GSB · October 18, 2003, 18:41

To test for a short circuit, get hold of a current clamp meter and put it round the main positive cables coming out of the battery, with teh car switched off, total current draw should ony be a few milli-Amps (mA). It would take a significant current draw to drain a battery that quickly.

To check Alternator, measur the voltage across tha battery when the car is standing, then start it, the voltage should increase. If not then get it checked by an auto-electrician.

As has already been stated though, by far the most likely cause is a simple knackered battery.

Anonymous · October 20, 2003, 15:18

Well - battery it turned out to be! So quick call to local dealer to find out that a new one of same spec as original on 2000 cars will set me back £220 +VAT!!! can you believe it. They can do a toyota supplied equivalent for £50 but even that sounds quite steep. So off to halfords to see what they will charge for one.

Anonymous · October 20, 2003, 15:42

s:shock: :shock: s:shock: s:shock: :shock: s:shock: s:shock: :shock: s:shock:

mph · October 20, 2003, 15:43

Deliberately pricing themselves out of the market to avoid hassle?!

Don't forget to compare the weights of batteries, as well as the usual power and price!

markiii · October 20, 2003, 16:53

original battery will be panasonic Japanese spec. So special order from Japan.

Anonymous · October 20, 2003, 17:13

But wont any normall battery fit in the same place given size etc of teh origninal.

I have a Boch one superratted and Plopped and it's a deep cycle and i got that from halfords!

Anonymous · October 21, 2003, 11:19

Quote from: "lescalder"quick call to local dealer to find out that a new one of same spec as original on 2000 cars will set me back £220 +VAT!!! can you believe it.

s:shock: :shock: s:shock: s:shock: :shock: s:shock: s:shock: :shock: s:shock: s:shock: :shock: s:shock: s:shock: :shock: s:shock: s:shock: :shock: s:shock: