Battery Problems

[Roberto]

Finally got round to replacing the radiator on Jackie's Seicento this afternoon. That was no easy job, I can tell you. Removal of offside weel arch liner, removal of front bumper, fiddle around for a few hours and then reverse ! Not fun, especially when the heavens opened.

Anyway, as the car hasn't been used for some time, the battery has gone flat. Got it bump started and drove around for a while. But the battery is still too weak to start the car. Drove round some more, still nothing. Is this a sign of a dead battery and the need for a new one, or do I need to give it some more charging by driving longer and further ?

Any help greatly appreciated

 

[Pete]

Sounds like the battery to me. Can you not try another?
I presume the alternator is OK?
How old's the battery?

 

[Roberto]

I don't have a spare battery lying around unfortunately. As far as I can tell, the alternator is fine. Battery is probably the original, so about 5 years old. The car has been standing for some while, although Jackie has been starting it up every now and again.

Just need to know how long I should drive it and expect a full charge. That way, if I drive it that long and it still can't start the car, I know I will probably need a new battery.

 

[Anonymous]

just put it on a trickle charge overnight

 

[Roberto]

Good suggestion, if I had a trickle charger

Rob

 

[smokedogg187]

ask ur uncle/everyones uncle has a battery charger

 

[Andrew - London]

If a motors been standing idle for a while the battery will lose its charge, as its 5 years old as well. New battery if you can't charge it. It'll take hours of driving round to recharge it and the money spent on fuel could go toward a new one.

 

[Roberto]

Sadly my two uncles live hundreds of miles away !

Maybe I'll nip to Argos tomorrow...

Rob

 

[Pete]

If it hasn't got enough power to start the car after a 15 minute drive, the battery's f**ked!

 

[Buzz]

you can only completely discharge a standard battery a couple of times before its weakened. age and winter kills batteries too. If that battery is 5yrs old, then chances are its had a couple of hard winters outside, and i daresay its been run flat more than a couple of times. About £30 for a new un for a Punto. cheap compared to the radiator

Buzz (formerly LightWarrior)
The champion of the Bravo 1.4

 

[Roberto]

Yup, looks like a new one is required. Yet more expense, but at least I saved a packet by getting the rad done by my brother. Radiator was £60 brand new from Serck Marston/Intertruck, Paraflu was £11 and £20 to my bro

Leaves me enough for MOT and 6 months tax....just

Rob

 

[Buzz]

BASTARD!!!

you just reminded me my MOT is due in May. just checked, and its due on Tuesday, ie in 2 days! Just the day i'm supposed to get my car back with its rather expensive new gearbox and clutch! Yet more expense!

Buzz (formerly LightWarrior)
The champion of the Bravo 1.4

 

[Roberto]

Sorry dude

Rob

 

[Ozric-Al]

At 5 years Rob the batt will be dead mate. Most new batteries only come with a 2 or 3 year guarantee to 5 is good.

One word of warning though mate. Whenever and whatever car I have had if I've had to have a new battery the alternator has ALWAYS followed suit within 6 months. Have had at least 6 cars where I've had to have a new battery and had to replace the alternator on them all after the battery was replaced.

Start budgeting pal.

 

[Roberto]

Cheers Al, oh purveyor of doom !!! LOL

Rob

 

[Ozric-Al]

Doom? It's a Sei isn't it? Pack of Duracell and a push bike dynamo aint gonna cost the Earth now are they?

 

[Roberto]

Cheeky

Rob

 

[Roberto]

Rang round the usual places for a battery and got quoted between £33 and £60 for the same thing. Turns out tho' that the £33 was the wrong one and is actually £47. Where the hell do these people get these prices ?!?!?!?!

Anyway, pick it up after lunch, and then it's the MOT tomorrow.....£30, and let's hope there's nowt wrong with it !!!

Rob

 

[gary]

get a meter and check the charge is ok. if the car has been sitting for over 3 months at that age it will only be the battery. you want 13.5 - 14.5 volts under load ie lights on. if the old battery has got 12.2 - 12.8 volts and wont start a car its dead. if you aint got one buy on it will come in handy. the battery is dear cause of the size (small) a 063 form anywhere will just go on, 30 quid buy a bosch/varta made one

 

[cynic-al]

you cannot fully discharge car batteries, they never fully recover froma deep cycle, they are designed to give a high current for a short time. Leisure batteries will give you a deep cycle, these are used on caravans etc to give a slow discharge to nothing, but are no good for a car.

I've had 2 battereis in 3 years, girlfriend tends to leave the light on. grrr

If you do charge it you will find it will be fine if the car is used everyday, but if left stood for more than a day then the car will not start again.