battery problem i think ...

scott_e · Post by **scott_e** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 8:11 pm

Evening,

Was on the way home tonight and the little light under the 5 on the rev counter was flashing. I got home stopped/started the car and it would not start. Hazards and radio would not work ether so seemed like a battery power problem. Got a battery boster pack plugged it in (to the panel at the front) and started the ignition no problem. Left the car running for a bit and tried again but did not start.

So im off to halford/b&q to get me a new battery. Found the old one in the boot. Any tips on new battery type of steps to replacing it ?

Existing one is:
12 Bolts
380 Amps
45AA

I beleive batteries cannot store as much power when its cold plus i have started using a sat nav device plugged into the lighter socket 2 weeks ago ... im guessing this is the source of my problem

And is the rev light supposed to flash when battery is low ?

Thanks for any help guys
Scott

mac · Post by **mac** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 8:16 pm

It's either the battery or the alternator. Not all alternator faults cause the malfunction light to go on.

If the new ones goes flat then you'll probably need a visit to the autosparks or if your handy with a mulit meter then Robin or Fd could tell you want to do.

HTH

Mac

steve_weegie · Post by **steve_weegie** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 8:19 pm

I just swapped out my battery for a halfords calcium one. Should be about 65 quid if memory serves. They do two kinds, but I'd go for the calcuim one as its only an extra tenner and gives about 80amps more starting current when its cold.

Changing it is easy peasy - just undo the base clamp, then the terminals!

Cheers,

Steve

scott_e · Post by **scott_e** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 9:00 pm

thanks for the reply.

didnt have time to get a battery tonight, will pick one up tomorrow. Is the alternator covered by the warrenty ?

scott_e · Post by **scott_e** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 9:03 pm

ps i have only done 15,000 miles , should an alternator last longer than this ?

steve_weegie · Post by **steve_weegie** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 9:18 pm

how old is the car? THB, i would argue the toss that a battery should be covered by a warranty; the alternator certainly should be!

my s2 is almost 6 years old and has done 67k. The alternator is still fine and the battery only just died a month ago.

scott_e · Post by **scott_e** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 9:32 pm

2 years 6 months.

scott_e · Post by **scott_e** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 9:34 pm

i have the radio, aircon, sat nav, lights and blowers on full all the time at the moment which wont help im sure

robin · Post by **robin** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 9:04 am

It would help us help you if we knew what car you had - from the pic I am guessing S2 Exige?

Your battery shouldn't be dead at that age of car, unless you've allowed it to go flat plenty of times in the past and thus reduced it's capacity.

When your engine is running, you can have the entire car's electrical system switched on and it will still charge the battery too.

The light flashing on the dash could mean anything - most likely it was the alarm or immobiliser getting pi$$ed off with low battery voltage.

You must not allow the car to sit on a flat battery for a long time - otherwise I will bet that you will end up with alarm/immobiliser/central locking woes.

You should measure the battery voltage while the engine is running (but without any booster stuff attached). It should be high 13's/low 14's. If it's less than 13.5 then your alternator isn't charging, so the battery is probably fine, don't waste money buying another in this case. You should put the car on a trickle charger or battery charger to keep the bat topped up until you resolve the issue (otherwise woes will ensue).

This could be because either the inline fuse has blown (it's a fusible link in the charging cable from the alternator), the belt has come off, the controlling wires to the alternator have broken, or the alternator regulator pack has failed.

Cheers,
Robin

scott_e · Post by **scott_e** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 9:46 am

thanks for the reply robin. Thats a long list of things

the reason i thought it was the battery was because the sat nav has been taking a charge from the ciggy lighter every night for 2 weeks or so, i did not unplug stupidly.

Exige S2 sorry, i should have mentioned. Been sitting overnight with flat battery, was going to pick one up tonight. Is this too long to leave it ? otherwise i will nip home and do it now.

mac · Post by **mac** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 9:56 am

You sat nav will be causing the battery drain if you don't unplug it at the end of the journey - remember that the alarm system also takes juice from the battery when it's turned on too (but that's should be accounted for when the factory spec the battery)

As Robin suggested get it on a trickle charger for a while (12-24 hours) with the battery on the bench. At this time of year if your doing short trips with lights/blower/radio + others on then it's possible that your taking out more than your putting back in.

A good long blast at the weekend should help too

Mac

scott_e · Post by **scott_e** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 10:04 am

thanks for the reply mac. I think i will spend the dosh on a new battery and a battery booster to keep in the car ... who needs passengers anyway

.... can i pickup a battery charger in halfords too ?

gorrie · Post by **gorrie** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 10:06 am

Yep... halford have a good one from memory... Evo did some ratings not that long ago... I'll try dig out the link.

EDITED: It was Auto Express... same crowd though.. http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/products/p ... _test.html

scott_e · Post by **scott_e** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 10:21 am

thanks for that gorrie

scott_e · Post by **scott_e** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 10:24 am

oh im only doing 8 miles to work and 8 miles back home again monday to firday. Car in garage all weekend. Is this enough time to charge the battery ?