Battery - problems
03-23-2009, 05:01 AM
#1
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Battery - problems
over the last couple of weeks my battery has been getting weaker..i.e. seems to be struggling to start...But this morning it didn't start till i jumped it and i just went to start it in the car park at college and its flat again! as far as i am aware the battery has never been changed 2002 car.. well i know its never been changed since ive had it (2 years) Could i just need to change the battery or might it be something else? like the alternator?
Any ideas?
Thanks
Any ideas?
Thanks
03-23-2009, 05:23 AM
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My battery is just going after 9 yrs faithful service. If I use it every day then there seems to be enough charge to start the next morning, but if I don't drive for 24 hrs then its 50:50 chance of starting.
So this would indicate the battery is not holding charge or not able to charge up fully. For not being able to charge up fully could be the battery or the alternator.
Its simple to check the alternator is working ok, by measuring the voltage across the battery while the engine is running at idle. If the voltage is not around 14 V then the alternator should be okay, but also try with the engine running at different speeds, lights on, fan on etc, as sometimes they voltage can drop (basically idle and fully loaded electrically speaking). If the voltage at idle is 12V or below or fluctuates then the alternator is at fault ie its not going to charge the battery.
Its worth this simple check before buying a new battery.
Don't have the manual at hand, so I can't remember the exact charge voltage.
So this would indicate the battery is not holding charge or not able to charge up fully. For not being able to charge up fully could be the battery or the alternator.
Its simple to check the alternator is working ok, by measuring the voltage across the battery while the engine is running at idle. If the voltage is not around 14 V then the alternator should be okay, but also try with the engine running at different speeds, lights on, fan on etc, as sometimes they voltage can drop (basically idle and fully loaded electrically speaking). If the voltage at idle is 12V or below or fluctuates then the alternator is at fault ie its not going to charge the battery.
Its worth this simple check before buying a new battery.
Don't have the manual at hand, so I can't remember the exact charge voltage.
5 mins with the lights on and it is dead
03-23-2009, 09:13 AM
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yeah everything works ok when its running.
Does anyone know where to get a battery from thats going to be cheaper that main dealer? halfords?
also roughly how much are they? and do they do differnet types?
Does anyone know where to get a battery from thats going to be cheaper that main dealer? halfords?
also roughly how much are they? and do they do differnet types?
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03-23-2009, 09:52 AM
#8
They dont like a deep discharging.
So if the old owner has hammered it flat trying to start a prolem car that can shorten the life span.
I have found over 20yrs or so that they last me about 6 years a piece.
So if the old owner has hammered it flat trying to start a prolem car that can shorten the life span.
I have found over 20yrs or so that they last me about 6 years a piece.
