General New Owner...New Problems!

[jeps]

Hi,
I am new to this forum so I wanted to induce myself and also ask for some advice.

I brought my first car a T Reg Seicento Mia in August this year. It’s a great little runner and a good looking car despite what some of my family thinks! However on the service history it says it had a new battery in Feb 2007 but since I have had it the battery has died three times. The first time it did this I had not driven it for a few days and at the time I just though I must have left something on…I recharged it and it worked fine. I drove recently up to Cambridge and back again (I live in Dorset, so it was about 170 miles, I thought this would have been good for the battery?). I normally use my car everyday but a few days after getting back I left it for one day. When I tried to start it the next day it wouldn’t start, again I recharged it and it worked ok for another few days until again, I didn’t drive it for 24hrs and now im back to square one.
Everytime this has happened the battery has enough power for the internal electrics but not enough to start the engine. As this is my first car I just wanted to ask if it sounds like the battery is just buggered or the alternator as well?? Any ideas much appreciated! :worship:

 

[fingers99]

I'd run the battery by an auto electrician. It could simply be a duff one (in which case you may be able to get a new one free). Otherwise, suspect either the alternator or something like an amplifier draining the battery.

Before you do that, try starting it with the bonnet open and look for any blue flashes (which will indicate poor connections).

 

[GeorgeDamper]

If your battery and alternator prove to be ok - it might be worth investing in a battery drain tester.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Automotive-Mi...ageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem?_trksid=p1638.m118

 

[Chas Uno]

The service history might say it had a new battery fitted in 2007, but how do you know that the same battery is still fitted? :chin:

Most people would fit a worn battery that had just enough power to run the car and keep the good one when the buyer comes to see the car/ buy it No point in giving away a good battery is there!

 

[branton rhino]

Hi,

I had similar problems when I bought my car. Fault was a slipping belt. Only slipped when the lights were on. Easily sorted, I just tensioned up the belt by adjusting the alternator. Not more than 20mins work.

If you are lucky your has the same problem!

 

[Mr.C]

i had the same problem. turned out to be the remote alarm system. now if i'm not going to use it for a while i lock the doors instead of blipping them locked. now i can leave the car for 4 or 5 weeks and it starts first time. if you try this dont tell anybody where you live!

 

[jeps]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions! I found a mechanic via my brother who has had a look at. He tested the battery (it was only kicking out 6volts!) and alternator and its turned out to be a dud battery. He thinks the battery must of have been switched when I brought it cos it looked definitely didn't look new!

 

[Chas Uno]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions! I found a mechanic via my brother who has had a look at. He tested the battery (it was only kicking out 6volts!) and alternator and its turned out to be a dud battery. He thinks the battery must of have been switched when I brought it cos it looked definitely didn't look new!

Thought so!