Replacing a car battery?

Sugarlumps

My car wouldn’t start this morning, it turned over but you could gradually hear the battery diminishing. It was too dark this morning to check the connections and whatnot.

I’d presume the battery is dead so I’ll pick up a new one this afternoon. Just wondering is it any easy enough job to do yourself? Any guidance would be appreciated. It’s a 96 Mazda 323. It was only serviced in November.

the_syco

How long was the car sitting around for? And do you have a [url="http://supertoolss.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/wrench.jpg"wrench[/url]?

Sugarlumps

Thanks for replying Syco, it was running fine on Saturday. Last thing I needed on a Monday morning.

the_syco

Sugarlumps wrote: »

Thanks for replying Syco, it was running fine on Saturday. Last thing I needed on a Monday morning.

Any lights left on? For it to die in two days is kind of bad, though.

If replacing the battery, see if the shop/garage can put it in for you for a fiver :P Also see if they'll take the old battery regardless.

User Friendly

the_syco wrote: »

Any lights left on? For it to die in two days is kind of bad, though.

If replacing the battery, see if the shop/garage can put it in for you for a fiver :P Also see if they'll take the old battery regardless.

That used battery is worth a few bob to a recycling(how do you spell that word?:o) centre/scrap merchants. probably 15/20 euro

aujopimur

Your local motor factor will load test the battery, they normally fit the new one free of charge.

Raytown Rocks

Dont forget if you do replace it yourself, you may need to reprogramme your radio afterwards, so may need the code.
Also leave a door/window open as the central locking may close when you disconnect.

If you can see can you get a jusmp start, and then go for a good spin, this may re-charge the battery. there may not be a need for a new one, maybe something was left on and all you need is a charge.

A local garage can test the battery if you get the car running, to see if its ok.

Might save ya a few quid.

Sugarlumps

Thanks for all the advice chaps.

jimmyw

aujopimur wrote: »

Your local motor factor will load test the battery, they normally fit the new one free of charge.

Yeah I would advise getting it checked first.

Sugarlumps

I got it jumped started yesterday evening and drove it for 30 minutes without a hitch. Tried it again at 10:00 that night and it started immediately and again this morning.

The car is only a run-around, meaning it gets driven for a five minute journey to and fro in the mornings, and at weekends to do shopping and whatnot, rarely does it get a long haul in.

Now I know practically nothing about cars, but I’m wondering would of this contributed to the battery dying?

phelixoflaherty

You prob left something on unintentionally which would drain the battery. If you could borrow a battery charger this would revive the battery.
if it runs down again then the battery might be worn.
Try charging it first.

jimmyw

Sugarlumps wrote: »

I got it jumped started yesterday evening and drove it for 30 minutes without a hitch. Tried it again at 10:00 that night and it started immediately and again this morning.

The car is only a run-around, meaning it gets driven for a five minute journey to and fro in the mornings, and at weekends to do shopping and whatnot, rarely does it get a long haul in.

Now I know practically nothing about cars, but I’m wondering would of this contributed to the battery dying?

Yeah. That would not help.

the_syco

Sugarlumps wrote: »

The car is only a run-around, meaning it gets driven for a five minute journey to and fro in the mornings, and at weekends to do shopping and whatnot, rarely does it get a long haul in.

Aye, that helped kill my battery during the cold spell (only driving short journies to work).