Battery Dead!

brianrcarney

ok so the innevitable happened... battery dead this morning!the car did make a bit of effort to start but soon gave up... so does this mean the battery is knackered? or would a push start and good run give it life? Any advice?Thanks B

biko

Surprise!

Just get a new one. 70-80euro. The old one may last another while but cold weather finishes old batts off.
The motor factors will take old batt back free of charge.

brianrcarney

halfords batteries any use? just a quick look there and one with a 4 year guarantee is 99.99??

biko

Batts are batts imo but if you're willing to pay a bit extra for the warranty then sure.
Batts from factors will probably last just as long and are cheaper.

Do you know how long the current battery has been in the car?

Fozzie Bear

Mine died this day last week with the first frosts. Took it out and tried charging it but it would not take the charge (cell gone in the battery). New one should cost no more then 80 quid in a motor factors for a diesel car, less for a petrol engine. Can't comment on Halfords ones but to be honest I would not pay 100 quid for a battery.

brianrcarney

the current battery been there since i got the car in late 08...are batteries easy to put in? any special tools required? i am a cabbage when it comes to car maintenance must get a haynes manual...

Very simple, 10mm spanner and a 13mm one or maybe a 13mm socket depending on access for the battery holding yoke. Most factors will fit them for free, Halfords charge to fit them, a good enough whack too I think.

brianrcarney

thats great, yeah halfords charge 6.99 for fitting = rip off!! well my car will be stuck where it is now till i can get battery into it!! hopefully i can do that much myself!would i better off waiting till this sh1ty weather goes before doing it?

Henry Ford III

Take the old one out and give it a charge - it might keep going a little longer?

p.s. Keep a note of the car stereo code if you are changing or removing the battery.

fj1200

Make sure you disconnect the earth lead first and then reconnect it last when fitting your new battery.

brianrcarney

fj1200 wrote: »

Make sure you disconnect the earth lead first and then reconnect it last when fitting your new battery.

sorry about this but the earth lead would be what colour?

LookBehindYou

Did you check the cells for level of water ?
Winter is harder on any battery.
Motor Factors are best for new batteries.

LookBehindYou

brianrcarney wrote: »

sorry about this but the earth lead would be what colour?

The black one (-) which is earthed to the metal in the chassis of the car.
The (+) is RED.

maxfresh

brianrcarney wrote: »

sorry about this but the earth lead would be what colour?

its black with the - symbol

brianrcarney

great thanks, i'll check the cells... think i done that before on an old car... thats just water levels in the battery?

JOSman

Check on line for a battery place near you. Halfords is usually very dear.

And yes in this weather the battery will have to be replaced as you just cannot rely on the old one.

LookBehindYou

brianrcarney wrote: »

great thanks, i'll check the cells... think i done that before on an old car... thats just water levels in the battery?

You answered it correct yourself Brian.

no1beemerfan

I've the battery in my Micra since 2003 and it was starting to play up a month or two ago so I took it out and charged it and all was fine till this morning when it struggled a wee bit again so I'll take it out and charge it again this evening. I just want to see how long it keeps going by doing this!

brianrcarney

looking at battery chargers... not cheap!

If you're using the car regularly and the batter dies it does need replacing, charging it may or may not buy you some time but it's borrowed time. New battery needed

JOSman

No1beemerman: A new battery should be OK and does not need charging (providing your alternator is fine). If it did fail than bring it back to where you bought and have them replace it (at their cost).

If it was slow to start this morning, I'd say the whole car/engine was frozen and not a battery failure.

JOSman

JOSman wrote: »

No1beemerman: A new battery should be OK and does not need charging (providing your alternator is fine). If it did fail than bring it back to where you bought and have them replace it (at their cost).

If it was slow to start this morning, I'd say the whole car/engine was frozen and not a battery failure.

His battery is 7 years old

serco

Sorry to jump in on the thread but if a car is sitting up for a few days over this cold snap would you start it up every few days and let it run for 15 mins to prevent the battery dying? or would that cause any other problems?

brianrcarney

price seems to be in around the 75-80 euro mark...

this right cost for battery for petrol bmw?