Technical Flat battery Grrrrrr!!!

[Dawes]

tried to start my car today and the battery was as flat as a pancake, wouldn't even power the central locking. Now my first thought was dodgy alternator, but any time I've had problems with an alternator I've heard the car struggle to turn over days before the battery dies but yesterday everything was hunky dorey! No lights, radio or anything else left on so I haven't a clue what drained it, but if it is the alternator, how easy is it to replace these in the Marea (1.8)?

 

[jug]

not easy unless the car is raised.

you're right, alternator failure usually shows itself, but if it suddently failed on your last journey and your last journey was a long one or at night then the battery can be drained without you noticing anything prior to it happening.

 

[Dawes]

Well I got some jump leads and got it started tonight, so I took it out for a thrashing which was interesting given how wet the roads are here just now! I'll see how it is tomorrow, might have to invest in a battery charger from Halfrauds though!