General Is it normal for a Punto to struggle starting after a week of not using it?

[mahol]

Hello again,

we have had some very cold days and a fair amount of snow today. i went to start my car up today as i haven't started it since last sunday. It turns over but really struggled and the clock reset itself to 0:00 and the radio reset itself (hear the satnav tell me the voice had been installed into memory).

it started after around 4 attempts of trying to start it be the ignition alone no jump leads or pushing.

do you think there could be a drain or just because the punto battery's are tiny and little drains such as clock,locking/unlocking etc soon mount up?

Note: I have a 1 year old battery ukbatteries platinum battery it reads 12volts when the cars off and 14.2volts(IIRC) on a multimeter when the car is on, the details on the battery are Voltage: 12, CCA-SAE: 330,
AH-20hr-rate: 40. I have new spark plugs and HT Leads and clean the earth point on the body (couldn't reach the gearbox one to remove so just cleaned that while it was still attached)

 

[Tony123]

my car struggles a little with starting on cold days ( nearly didnt start this morning)..
maybe cause you havent started it in a week the clock etc has drained it..

 

[rallycinq]

Clock/stereo memmory/alarm will all draw. Use your meter to assess the level of draw.

While you are there, do the gearbox earth lead properly.

Cheers

SPD

 

[DaveMcT]

my car struggles a little with starting on cold days ( nearly didnt start this morning)..
maybe cause you havent started it in a week the clock etc has drained it..

The voltages look ok. Short journeys with all the electrical load of winter dont give the battery chance to recover. It probably just needs a good run or put the charger on overnight.

I use an Optimate as its gentle on the battery but keeps it topped up.

 

[mahol]

Clock/stereo memmory/alarm will all draw. Use your meter to assess the level of draw.

While you are there, do the gearbox earth lead properly.

Cheers

SPD

using my multimeter where exactly should i assess the draw as i would rather not jab through wires, do i check through the clocks,radios fuses?? i guess i keep it on the voltage setting?

cheers

but im also considering getting a new battery a Bosch 12V Silver Car Battery as it has a start up power of 520 amps instead of 330, and the AH value is 52 instead of 40. it also says its charges quicker and is ideal for the driver who does short start/stop journeys. what you reckon?

 

[rallycinq]

Disconnet the earth lead from the battery. Put your meter set to amps between the earth cable and the earth post.

The draw should be less than an amp. Any more than, say half an amp, start taking fuses out to find out what is causing the draw.

Stronger battery will help, but, if you are still drawing a few amps an hour it will still loose charge.

Cheers

SPD

 

[Tony123]

The voltages look ok. Short journeys with all the electrical load of winter dont give the battery chance to recover. It probably just needs a good run or put the charger on overnight.

I use an Optimate as its gentle on the battery but keeps it topped up.

i do about 40mins drivin a day so my battery should be charged.. but i guess its my amp that drains battery just before starting

 

[Brin]

I left my punto unused in the snow for 3days before starting it this morning and it started straight away there was no hesitation at all. I turned the key and honestly about a tenth of a second later the engine was running, it doesn't normally start that easily even in the warm never mind snow lol

 

[DaveMcT]

A measured 1 amp current flow means a 60AH battery will be flat after 60 hours, but in reality it will be pretty useless after 1/2 that time. These are not deep-discharge batts.

I'd be concerned if you find 1/4 amps is being drawn - that's 3watts at 12 volts.

 

[mahol]

I left my punto unused in the snow for 3days before starting it this morning and it started straight away there was no hesitation at all. I turned the key and honestly about a tenth of a second later the engine was running, it doesn't normally start that easily even in the warm never mind snow lol

maybe it was a miracle of the snow angels, TBO I think my battery is just a bit crap to be honest this is the first time it has met cold weather since i bought it when the original battery died. Make me think about getting the bosch silver one i mentioned or getting one from fiat. but to be honest nipping to halfords for the bosch one is much easier especially as i should get student discount too

 

[tinytim]

Agree with other posts; make sure EVERYTHING is turned off before trying start the car; if not going to use the car for a week disconnect the battery; not sure if a new battery will help but whenever I replace a battery I always buy the highest capacity one that will fit in the space; the original battery on my mk1 lasted 9.5 years

 

[mahol]

UPDATE:

local motor part store checked my battery good condition, but it still struggled this morning, and reset the clock.

I cleaned both earth points and re-attached them, checked the draw it said 0.01A thats about right isn't it.

Noticed on the battery it say's 12v, CCA-SAE:320 amp, AH-20hr-rate: 36amps

is it just me, but isn't the standard fiat battery like CCA-SAE:360 amp and AH-20hr-rate:40 amps if i remember right? do you reckon a more powerful battery is in order.

the bloke at the car shop also said the battery was lowish on charge and the voltage reading went down from 14 volt while running when the lights and heater was on, to just under 12volt. but this is understandable isn't it.

 

[mahol]

right i decided to just buy a new battery that is stronger and more powerful, Bosch silver 202 S4000 for only £44.80 which was cheaper than the fiat garage and nearly half the price of the Halfords one.

Specifications & Dimensions (mm)
Voltage - 12V
Capacity - 42Ah
CCA (EN) - 390A
174L x 175W x 190H
BOSCH SILVER

Should be more that able to cope I reckon, what does everyone think.

my current one is a uk batteries platinum energy 36Ah and CCA: 320A, 12v dont think its up to it also noticed dimming head lights when i moved the steering wheel when i was sat on my drive last night.

 

[Brin]

right i decided to just buy a new battery that is stronger and more powerful, Bosch silver 202 S4000 for only £44.80 which was cheaper than the fiat garage and nearly half the price of the Halfords one.

Specifications & Dimensions (mm)
Voltage - 12V
Capacity - 42Ah
CCA (EN) - 390A
174L x 175W x 190H
BOSCH SILVER

Should be more that able to cope I reckon, what does everyone think.

my current one is a uk batteries platinum energy 36Ah and CCA: 320A, 12v dont think its up to it also noticed dimming head lights when i moved the steering wheel when i was sat on my drive last night.

Dimming of lights when turning the steering could mean your alternator has had it. All your electrics in a car is powered by the alternator through the B+ terminal.

The same happened to my m8s punto and his revs where dropping on tick over when moving steering wheel and lights dimming it was the alternator, it was only producing 11v instead of 14v and the battery discharge was weak so he couldnt turn over the engine not enough output to starter motor.

He had alternator replaced and checked it and it were then giving 14.7v, the lights issue was solved but it still struggled to start because battery discharge so he got anothe battery and it was fine.

 

[mahol]

I checked my alternator and got a garage just to double check it and its fine, but thanks for you post Brin now ive got the new battery it should be ok. If not i'll be back (but im sure and the garage were pretty sure its fine)

 

[ChrisUK]

It should continuously charge at 14v or there abouts even when lights, heater fan on full, etc is on. Your alternator should step up and you should hear your rev's dip a little as it picks up the extra load.

 

[Squeak]

right i decided to just buy a new battery that is stronger and more powerful, Bosch silver 202 S4000 for only £44.80 which was cheaper than the fiat garage and nearly half the price of the Halfords one.

Specifications & Dimensions (mm)
Voltage - 12V
Capacity - 42Ah
CCA (EN) - 390A
174L x 175W x 190H
BOSCH SILVER

Should be more that able to cope I reckon, what does everyone think.

my current one is a uk batteries platinum energy 36Ah and CCA: 320A, 12v dont think its up to it also noticed dimming head lights when i moved the steering wheel when i was sat on my drive last night.

Where did you get the battery from?
I own a 52 plate 1.2Punto and it HATES the cold weather. The battery has never been replaced so I guess it really is time for a new one! I also looked in Halfords due to their convenience but indeed they are very expensive! I know nothing about cars or batteries so would like to know if the S4 fits and works well?!

 

[mahol]

Where did you get the battery from?
I own a 52 plate 1.2Punto and it HATES the cold weather. The battery has never been replaced so I guess it really is time for a new one! I also looked in Halfords due to their convenience but indeed they are very expensive! I know nothing about cars or batteries so would like to know if the S4 fits and works well?!

the S4 is amazing i bought it from Central auto supplies (CAS) in peterborough, but i believe there is a store on ebay selling them a little more expensive due to shipping but its worth it no problems at all. even doing short journey's with heater, lights etc on battery still has the power a week later to start first time best thing i bought, plus it has a 4 year warranty the halfords s4000 is the wrong size you need this.
Ebay link for the battery you need
read the description he mentions a discount if you call