Hi guys,

8pm last night, the car was fine. I had been checking out the position of a new phone holder that fits in the CD, and charged my phone whilst I was at it.

Although I didn't have the engine running whilst charging, I did move the car at 8.30pm and everything was ok.

8am this morning, completely dead battery!

Left it on trickle charge (4 amp) until 1pm then tried it again, but absolutely no difference :bang:

Got the wife to take it to the garage to check (as I was at work) and they said it was a dead battery and needed replacing.

It's coming up to 3 yrs old so I kinda think it's ok (Exide), I know they last 3-5yrs but, the question is, can a battery just "go" overnight? There was absolutely no warning signs, straight from ok to dead

Got a new one (find out the make when I get home but supposed to be a good one) and will hopefully see no damage to the car. Fingers crossed

Yep happened on the Fiesta, working fine on minute, next day dead. A new cheapo £35 battery and it was fine to another two years when the car was scrapped.

Jerseywurzel said:

It's coming up to 3 yrs old so I kinda think it's ok (Exide), I know they last 3-5yrs but, the question is, can a battery just "go" overnight? There was absolutely no warning signs, straight from ok to dead

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Yes, a battery can die pretty much instantly, and they quite often do, sometimes after much less than three years. Any time a battery is left standing discharged will shorten its life considerably; this often happens with new cars before they're even delivered.

As you've replaced the battery, you're now good to go. It's highly unlikely there's been any collateral damage.

Yes that happened mine. Fine one day and dead the next...

Replaced and off I went again!

Well, got a new Varta for 50 quid, fitted and all hunky dory (except for my wallet).


Still, as we`re driving to Paris in a few weeks, better that it went now instead of then!


Thanks for the info, guys (and gal

50 quid ain't too bad! Try paying for a timing chain gone wrong, followed by clutch failure with a bit of brake failure thrown in for good measure and a few other little bits and bobs. Lol!

Wee Smurf said:

50 quid ain't too bad! Try paying for a timing chain gone wrong, followed by clutch failure with a bit of brake failure thrown in for good measure and a few other little bits and bobs. Lol!

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O. M. G.!


Poor you

Jerseywurzel said:

O. M. G.!


Poor you

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Indeed, I am somewhat poorer! Final bill was more than the car is worth...
So much for thinking that it would be a fuel filter

Dez will be going to the main dealer for servicing from now on... Lets just say that I believed that checks were being carried out by local "specialist" which obviously weren't! I'm out a lot money-wise and it could have ended in an accident...

Wee Smurf said:

Indeed, I am somewhat poorer! Final bill was more than the car is worth...
So much for thinking that it would be a fuel filter

Dez will be going to the main dealer for servicing from now on... Lets just say that I believed that checks were being carried out by local "specialist" which obviously weren't! I'm out a lot money-wise and it could have ended in an accident...

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You need to book it in here for the big services Smurf - sunny holiday at same time... nice drive from Santander also....

Well, 1st day with the new battery and all seems ok.


The trip computer reset back to zero but the milometer was still correct. I didn`t need to reset the radio/cd either, which I was worried about.


Seems as though the battery worked until the last possible moment, then just gave up the ghost.


Car is running fine again

captainslarty said:

You need to book it in here for the big services Smurf - sunny holiday at same time... nice drive from Santander also....

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It's a bit far from Belfast to Portugal to get a car serviced. And you obviously don't know how ridiculously expensive the ferries out of Ireland are!

Wee Smurf said:

It's a bit far from Belfast to Portugal to get a car serviced. And you obviously don't know how ridiculously expensive the ferries out of Ireland are!

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I DO know they are cheaper than a timing chain explosion caused by a butcher

Fair enough! Have to get passport!

Wee Smurf said:

Fair enough! Have to get passport!

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Pack the shades too.

Even got a good surfing beach just up the shore.....
You can walk to the beach from the garage - they will take you anyway.. All part of the service.

Maybe I'll skip the surfing bit!