Hi - could anyone advise me please on how to
test my battery to see if it is good.

I have a Stilo 1.6 02 and have the dreaded airbag
light on. Someone on the forum suggested that
the battery could be on the way out and it would
be best to change it.
The battery I have is about 6/7 yrs old, so not sure
in battery terms if this is still Ok or not.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Many thanks - Linamp

if its 6/7 chances are it needs changing. Measure the voltage in the morning after not being used for many hours and then after if the voltage difference is very high it needs changing.

And if you don't have a multimeter you can actually test this with FiatECUscan.

You need a drop tester, all a multi meter or MES will tell you is voltage, which isn't any good as you need to know how its behaving under load

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-Seale...iagnostic_Tools_Equipment&hash=item563a1868a2

Its with a drop tester to see how it performs under load, a battery can show a healthy state when idle and be useless under any sort of load.

Hi Guys and thanks for your replies.

Just picked up all your posts, so will try with the
meter in the morning to see what voltage I have.

My guess is that the battery should be replaced now
as it is getting on a bit in age. Although if that does
not solve the problem then there's another £75 down
the drain. Will seriously have to think about letting
the car go.

No sure what the drop down test is, but will have a
search in a mo. Wonder if it would apply to the
sealed battery on the car.

Anyway guys, thanks a million for you input, it
has as always been very appreciated.

Cheers + Beers - Linamp

I've posted a link above to a drop test unit you can buy

Some have a two year guarantee some have three. They do that for a reason. Like you mine was 7 years old so I bought a new one as I was having warning problems on start up and the battery would drain if I don't use the car for 7 days or over. Replaced that and its like a new car.

GPz750 said:

Some have a two year guarantee some have three. They do that for a reason. Like you mine was 7 years old so I bought a new one as I was having warning problems on start up and the battery would drain if I don't use the car for 7 days or over. Replaced that and its like a new car.

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I personally always go Bosch Silver battery's now. Their S5 will out perform any other battery and has a 5 year guarantee. Well worth the extra £20/£30 over a standard battery IMO.

Most Easterly Pandas said:

I personally always go Bosch Silver battery's now. Their S5 will out perform any other battery and has a 5 year guarantee. Well worth the extra £20/£30 over a standard battery IMO.

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Funny you should say that. Guess what I bought Saying that its all the local garage had what was a Ford dealer so no doubt paying just over 100 quid was expensive but I needed one that day.