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[Help] Car battery problem



MJsGhost

MJsGhost

Oooh Matron, I'm an
NSC Patron
Jun 26, 2009
5,103
East
Can the NSC hive mind help me out please?

Just a sense check on my amateur diagnosis...

My car won't start. The dash alert said low battery, so I started the car with jump leads from another car. I then drove around for over an hour to get some charge into the battery.

It still won't start.

I have removed the battery and attached it to a charger, but the charger says the battery is full.

I assume the battery needs replacing - could it show as charged on the charger (a Halfords automatic charger that I've borrowed) if buggered?

My assumption is that if the issue was with the alternator, the battery would not appear charged now.

Just typing this makes me pretty certain I need a new battery, but if the many NSCers with more knowledge than I have any insight to add, I'd be very grateful.

Further context: it's our 2nd car so isn't driven that often - once a week -and rarely further than 5 miles to the station (and back). It's 9.5 years old and was bought 2nd hand in 2016. I don't think it's had a new battery in that time.

Any other ideas before I commit to a new battery?

Thank you!
 






E

Elbow750

Well-known member
Jun 21, 2020
525
Given the age of the battery and your problems then yes I'd say its well worth replacing, as its likely to give up in the next year or anyway.

But before doing that do you have breakdown cover? If so jump start it and drive it a mile away and call them. They will have a more sophisticated battery checker and be able to diagnose the reason(s).
 


J

Jeep

Active member
Aug 1, 2003
623
I'd suggest making sure the cables are making a good electrical connection to the battery terminal. Do this by removing the cables and cleaning the contacts. If that doesn't work then:

When you jump started the car did you connect the cables to the terminals of your battery or did you clamp the earth to the chassis of your car?

If you used the battery terminals then I'd say it's the battery that's faulty.

If you've used the chassis of your car as the earth then it might be worth removing and cleaning the cable connecting your battery terminal to your chassis.
 






B

BevBHA

Well-known member
Jan 23, 2017
2,621
I had my battery changed last week for £65 fitted. It’s not break the bank money for a new battery and well worth it to eliminate the ‘will my car start today’ stress
 




Madafwo

Madafwo

I'm probably being facetious.
Nov 11, 2013
1,805
Halfords do a free battery test from memory, might be worth checking that out.

It can't be any worse than changing the battery on my car though, I believe it's killed the gear shift module which is a £900 part.
 




Birdie Boy

Birdie Boy

Well-known member
Jun 17, 2011
4,496
MJsGhost said:
Can the NSC hive mind help me out please?

Just a sense check on my amateur diagnosis...

My car won't start. The dash alert said low battery, so I started the car with jump leads from another car. I then drove around for over an hour to get some charge into the battery.

It still won't start.

I have removed the battery and attached it to a charger, but the charger says the battery is full.

I assume the battery needs replacing - could it show as charged on the charger (a Halfords automatic charger that I've borrowed) if buggered?

My assumption is that if the issue was with the alternator, the battery would not appear charged now.

Just typing this makes me pretty certain I need a new battery, but if the many NSCers with more knowledge than I have any insight to add, I'd be very grateful.

Further context: it's our 2nd car so isn't driven that often - once a week -and rarely further than 5 miles to the station (and back). It's 9.5 years old and was bought 2nd hand in 2016. I don't think it's had a new battery in that time.

Any other ideas before I commit to a new battery?

Thank you!
Click to expand...
Pavilion batteries cheap if you're local.
 


S

Superseagull

Well-known member
Jul 8, 2003
2,126
It is 95%likely to be the battery. I’d get a new one as it’s going to need one anyway sometime very soon. The fact it has happened in this cold weather means it is a case of an old battery finally giving up.
 






zefarelly

zefarelly

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Jul 7, 2003
23,097
Sussex, by the sea
Elbow750 said:
Given the age of the battery and your problems then yes I'd say its well worth replacing, as its likely to give up in the next year or anyway.

But before doing that do you have breakdown cover? If so jump start it and drive it a mile away and call them. They will have a more sophisticated battery checker and be able to diagnose the reason(s).
Click to expand...
Thats a waste of a weekend. Just buy a new one.

f***ed batteries will charge and say they're charged, until you put a load on them . . . .cold weather amplifies that.

If you buy cheap, expect it to clap out next winter if we get a cold snap . . . . Do some googling and buy a good quality one, it will last.

buy right, buy once.
 
Last edited:




beorhthelm

beorhthelm

A. Virgo, Football Genius
Jul 21, 2003
36,129
batteries lie when not under load, combined with modern ECU controlled cars that will throw a fit, not work if the volts and amps aren't just what they want.

just change it, <£100 and is due if you've had the car that long.
 




zefarelly

zefarelly

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Jul 7, 2003
23,097
Sussex, by the sea
Halfords Batteries, like PAvillion, and other 'budget' brands are Indian piss infused chocolate, ok for a year or 2 if you're lucky . . . . Or runn a low compression sewing machine.

farm machinery and/or other large diesel status symbols in disguise, are always hungry. .
 


mile oak

mile oak

Well-known member
May 21, 2023
1,086
Elbow750 said:
Given the age of the battery and your problems then yes I'd say its well worth replacing, as its likely to give up in the next year or anyway.

But before doing that do you have breakdown cover? If so jump start it and drive it a mile away and call them. They will have a more sophisticated battery checker and be able to diagnose the reason(s).
Click to expand...
My breakdown guy (im sure he aint alone here) had a trade discount card for Halfords so followed me there fitted it and all at a discount.
 


DarrenFreemansPerm

DarrenFreemansPerm

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sep 28, 2010
17,625
Shoreham
zefarelly said:
Halfords Batteries, like PAvillion, and other 'budget' brands are Indian piss infused chocolate, ok for a year or 2 if you're lucky . . . . Or runn a low compression sewing machine.

farm machinery and/or other large diesel status symbols in disguise, are always hungry. .
Click to expand...
😂😂
 


S

Shropshire Seagull

Well-known member
Nov 5, 2004
8,866
Telford
Starter motor draws a high current and is usually the first thing to stop working when the battery is in its twilight. Esacerbated by cold weather.

Make sure everything else is turned off, lights, radio, etc. Switch ignition on and try the horn. Does it peep as normal or sound tired/laboured. If latter, there's not enough juice to peep the horn it's defo time for a new battery.

But as others have suggested, peace of mind with a new one anyway may be your best choice.
 




chaileyjem

chaileyjem

#BarberIn
NSC Patron
Jun 27, 2012
14,797
If you have roadside cover and you're outside your house - then the AA (at least) will just come round, do a proper check and replace it there and then. They normally carry spare batteries in their vans - although their prices are higher than Halfords and local garages. They don't worry that your at your house.

My lad left the lights on all day a few months ago. We got it started again - after an AA start and then drove it home and kept the engine on for a while. It started just about ok after that but had problems with it ever since - ie: "sounded funny" ha ha. So just replaced it with a new one - at local garage up the way - not a problem since.
 




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