Flat battery-again

[cypruselise]

Hi Guys and Gals,
My S1 Elise battery has never held its charge for more than five days or so. It got a little better after I disconnected the alarm whose re-chargeable batteries were gone. Now, after a few months have passed when I charge the battery with my Accumate the Accumate goes green but the car will not start sounding as if the battery is flat. I then resort to a jump start which starts the car albeit not very enthusiastically. I drive the car and then try to start it and it does not. back to square one. When I try to start the car when it is 'flat' the oil light stays on for a few seconds.
Any ideas? Am I looking at a problem with the starter motor shorting or something like that? I have been through the fuses and have found nothing of note.

It is hopeless having a car that acts like this. Does anyone know of a good auto electrician in the Edinburgh Mid/East Lothian area?

[Shug]

Yeah, there's a battery/alternator/black magic issue somewhere.

Predictable answer, but potentially worth speaking to Craig at Murrays first, as they'll obviously know the most obvious things to check (which in an S1, aren't always obvious, IME). An indy electrician will be cheaper per hour, but might well run up more time finding the issue.

[Dominic]

Give Craig at Murrays a call.

[j2 lot]

My first thought would be that the battery is goosed, sounds like knackered cells that arent holding their charge.

[tut]

Try connecting a jump lead from the battery earth to the engine casing in case it is an earthing problem.

tut

[robin]

You need to isolate the (probably multiple) issue(s).

(1) Is the battery actually any use?
(2) Is the alternator charging?
(3) You mention accumate - is that connected all the time, or only when you need to get the car running again?
(4) Possible earthing problem front-to-back.

When the oil light "goes out" does it fade out or snap off? If it fades then it implies your battery voltage is collapsing (meaning the battery is probably f*cked).

Happy to help diagnose it all here if you can get the car over to my place this weekend (would need to be Saturday some time this weekend - but other weekends or weekdays could work).

Cheers,
Robin

P.S. Give me a call on 07973 391 393 if you want to bring the car over and we'll sort something out.

[cypruselise]

Thanks for your offer of help Robin, I am off on hols for a couple of weeks (guess where) so I will be in touch when I get back if that's ok.

[robin]

Sure. Enjoy your holidays.