Batteries in small Ford(s)

40701085

Hi all,
I know very little about cars:

My car: 1998 Ford Escort 1.4L Petrol
Mates car: 2003 Ford Fiesta 1.3L Petrol

Having some problems with the battery draining in my car recently, got the alternator changed but the problem persists.
The battery is a few years old & the car does be left unused for periods, so I'm thinking a new battery could be the solution. Once it goes in I will be using the car more often so won't allow it to die.

Before I go out and buy one, could I pop in the battery from my mate's car (above) to check if the problem is, in fact, just my old battery?
i.e. do batteries have to be a certain "size" or "capacity" to work in a particular car, & if so, would these 2 be a close enough match to swap temporarily?

Any advice welcome
Cheers

Buffman

40701085 wrote: »

Before I go out and buy one, could I pop in the battery from my mate's car (above) to check if the problem is, in fact, just my old battery?
i.e. do batteries have to be a certain "size" or "capacity" to work in a particular car, & if so, would these 2 be a close enough match to swap temporarily?

Yes, his battery will work in your car. Sounds like you want to swap it just to see if your car will flaten it. Will your mate be ok without his battery for a day or two?

stratos

Two things are the possible cause of this.
garages willingness to exchange batteries or alternators amazes me.
One of two things is causing your battery to drain. A parasitic drain Ie something using power even though the car is switched off things like add on phone kits.
A battery that won't hold charge is the other.
A charging problem will cause a warning light on dash normaly so we can usually discount that.
An obvious way to find out if it's a parasitic drain is to leave the car for a few days with the battery disconnected. If it starts you have a parasitic drain problem.

If the battery is flat after a few days being connected to nothing then the battery is faulty. one thing that will kill a bettery real quick is lack of use.

40701085

Thanks a mil,
Looks like a parasitic drain cos I disconnected the black cable from the battery for a few days, reconnected & the car started (although batt still v low as flashers were going off etc), then left it connected in the drive for a few hrs but then couldn't re-start at all.
I read a few threads where people advise going thru the fuses to find the problem, but I'm not sure how to do it.

Could you possibly give me a step-by-step?

If this still doesn't work it's wallet out & off to the dealer with me

Cheers again

OldmanMondeo

Sounds like the alternator is sticking open. Happened on a car on me before, require re-con alternator, problem solved.

40701085

Hi Oldmanmondeo
Got the alternator changed already, battery still draining.

OldmanMondeo

Ok, just re-read the post. Are you getting any static type shocks from the car? How old is the battery? Most good batteries will only last around 5 - 6 years.

scotia

not being funny but have you checked that no interior lights are being left on?instead of being switched to door being left in constant on position,could possibly be draining battery.

40701085

Yeah the battery would be coming up on 5 yrs old now I'd guess..which is why I'll prob just buy one anyways & see how it goes.

Can't say I've been getting any static from the car, no doors or boot open but will double-check all the small lights again...

Thanks for all the input :pac: