Car battery.. anywhere cheap?

whatlliwear

I think my wee Clio needs a new battery.
I bought the car a few months ago second hand. It's a 2001. It won't start now & my bf reckons I need a new battery for it. I have no idea how much they are or where to go to get a decent one & not get ripped off.. Can anyone help?

JohnCleary

You get what you pay for with batteries. You don't say what cc your engine is, but if you're lucky and have something like a 1.1/1.4, you don't need to spend a huge amount on batteries.

Anything over 60/70Ah will do you fine, any motor factor will sort you out. You won't really get ripped off in any motor factors in Galway, so long as you avoid shops like Halfords/William's Motor Store

Stick with the likes of Calbro, Partway and the few others around and you won't go too far wrong - they're not all thieving gits

ArraMusha

are you sure its the battery...try starting it first off another car using jump leads.

The lead plates inside the battery get coated and it takes high current spikes to remove. There are new chargers that can do this.

I'd recommend, jumping it and then go for a long spin 1hr+ to charge it up. Try her tomorrow, after a cold night tonight that'll test it.

If it wont start tomorrow the battery wont take a charge, and you can buy one in partway or calbro.

JohnCleary

ArraMusha wrote: »

are you sure its the battery...try starting it first off another car using jump leads.

The lead plates inside the battery get coated and it takes high current spikes to remove. There are new chargers that can do this.

I'd recommend, jumping it and then go for a long spin 1hr+ to charge it up. Try her tomorrow, after a cold night tonight that'll test it.

If it wont start tomorrow the battery wont take a charge, and you can buy one in partway or calbro.

To properly charge a battery takes low current charge for about 24hours. a 1hr charge won't 'test' the battery unfortunately

OP: Suppose it'd be worth checking the condition of the battery first. If its not a sealed battery check the fluid levels. ONLY USE DISTILLED WATER.

Try to get your hands on a battery charger. Get a jump in the meantime but if you can get a charger and charge it over-night you're laughing

whatlliwear

It's a 1.2 Renault Clio.. I can't drive properly yet so I'll ask my bf to see what he thinks. It starts alright after being jumped but he reckons I should buy a new one.. Could I buy a charger instead? Sorry I am so clueless when it comes to cars..

Acoshla

OP just on the matter of whether or not it's the battery, I have 2001 Clio and had battery problems for ages, car wouldn't start, would get jumped and would start, then would stop again, mechanics said for ages it wasn't a battery problem that it was a connection problem, in the end I got so sick of it I changed the battery and all the problems went straight away. If the car is starting and not starting consistently, or if it will turn over but won't start properly, or if the STOP light is coming on, they are all signs of the same thing with the Clios.

focuslfc

Im not sure if they do car batteries but i would try calbro motor factors on the tuam road. They should be cheaper then the dealers.
http://www.galway.net/galwayguide/showyp.shtml?id=2524

JohnCleary

Don't go near a dealer! As said above, just stick with any motor factors such as Calbro or Partway - they won't rob you (even if you're a woman :pac:)

This time of year really puts batteries to the test. TBH if the battery is over 4/5 years old (or you don't know the age of it), for the sake of 60 - 70euro it's worth the peace of mind. We change the batteries in the boat every 3 years regardless, and they're about 180euro a pop! (x 3) - Again, its peace of mind.. the last thing you want is a battery letting you down

leeroybrown

As JohnCleary says, this time of year really puts batteries to the test. Between the really cold weather, less frequent driving due to the ice, lower speeds/revs due to the conditions, maximum usage of car electrics batteries tend not to get fully charged and it can really weaken an older battery. My father had exactly the same problem over Christmas and has had to replace his battery. Any of the motor factors will sell you exactly what you need pretty cheaply.

whatlliwear

Just rang Calbro- will cost €52 for a new battery.. Not bad eh?!

focuslfc

make sure you have the code for the radio before you change the battery as in some cars disconnecting the battery can reset them.

eagle10

If you do need a new battery a mechanic friend of mine said that halfords own brand batteries are supposed to be decent and cheap, only quoting what I have heard bit if you need on I'm sure it's worth checking out

biko

Anyone of these in Galway will have batteries, and also take old battery back.
Galway shopping centre
Next to Subway, Tuam Road
Liosban Estate
Monivea Road

A battery takes 2 mins to change out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYvAhVZVrOQ