Time to replace battery?

I would bet money that that battery won't last the winter.

Steve

Try disconnecting the battery, leave it overnight and check the voltage,

12.5 or below means battery is the problem (preferably do this in a warmish environment as cold weather reduces battery oomph anyway) If the battery is 4 years or more old then you need a new one anyway (IMO)

mrcheerful

Jon,

Yes it probably needs replacing, however I assume you checked the fluid level if possible ? It should be above the level of the plates. I bought a new battery for my '87 Honda , the one in there was at least 5 years old and it was under-specced. It was going ok until i left the light on inside the car.. then despite all my efforts at charging it never recovered. :( The new one cost about 60 quid, it's a banner 'power bull' one, calcium based technology.. should be able to withstand greater periods between charges , which is what i want for my 'spare' car ! I would wait until it dies if you can.

Simon

Ah, so you would recommend replacing a 4 year old battery even if it appears to be healthy? My battery went suddenly when it was about 4 or

5 years old, and it's not a nice experience :-(

Exactly my point. New batteries are very cheap nowadays (I reckon) so I change them as soon as they show any discrepancy (must admit I have got a super duper battery tester) But that is not to say I would change one purely based on age, but I would weigh up age and vehicle type, type of use along with the readings of the battery.

mrcheerful

Do a heavy discharge test on your average 4 year old battery and it's likely to be lacking.

My battery cost me =A350, and it's the only one for my car that was actually the correct size. It should be a good one though, so should hopefully last longer than a cheap one.

You can of course get a larger battery if there is space in the tray for it

- a common trick is to get the diesel varient for a petrol car if there is space. Costs more but it's generally going to last longer and not take as much of a battering in a cold morning start.

It seems to be a function of modern batteries. At one time a battery would give plenty of warning - slower turning over of the engine, etc. My last one gave no indication at all - worked normally one day, totally dead the next. Just a few days outside the warranty.;-)

Which one have you got and approx price?

Frankly, that's bollocks.

There's loads of batteries to fit the Sei / Cinq..... I know, I replaced two.

It is marketed by snap-on and was about 150 quid a good few years ago, I'll tell you the exact make next time I go to the garage. In a neat little case, so not bulky and awkward (like most) It has a digital voltage display and three position load switch, touching the probes gives static voltage, pressing the probes down activates the loading, you then read off the loaded voltage and compare to the chart. The advantages are that there are no dangerous sparks and you get an exact voltage reading. Also extremely good for checking for high resistances in cables and clamps.

mrcheerful

Yup. I got called out to one where the bloke had started the car as normal, driven to school, loaded up the kids, and then it wouldn't start. When I got to it, it showed 2 volts with no load.

Steve

That'll be the little clock chip inside that counts down yer warranty then disconnects the battery for you....:P-)

We were somewhere around Barstow, on the edge of the desert, when the drugs began to take hold. I remember "Dave Plowman (News)" saying something like:

A triumph of the maker's art.

Bit like Philips electronics. Solder which lasts precisely 5 years then goes 'dry'. ;-)

Well, my dad got one for my car, but when he tried putting it in, the battery was phycically too big. So he went to another place, but it was the same size. So he decided to go to a Fiat main dealer, and that one was fine. So there probably are many that fit, but it's a challenge to find them.

Before anybody asks, the reason I didn't change the battery myself was because I was working.

Thanks for the replies everybody. Yes i had checked the electrolyte levels, and they were all above the plates. I thought it was probably the battery - but i wanted to be sure there wasn't something else causing this first (e.g. the alternator). The battery is over 6 years old, so i can't complain. Especially as a new Bosch Silver one from Costco cost just 29 quid. Fitted it on Saturday, and the engine turns over much more quickly now, and fires more easily as a result (and because of a stronger spark too i guess).

Thanks all, Jon.

What you do is take the car to the parts shop. They open the bonnet. they look at the bettery amps and amps hour etc ratings. They look what models suit that.

Then they physically measure what they have in stock, and what is currently fitted. And you find a battery properly rated and properly sized for your car. All cars can run to the shop after a jump lead start.