Battery dying or something else?

gburus · 28-12-2012 7:54pm #1

Hi there,

Recently I started to have a problem with me trusty Yaris. I was out of the country for 2 weeks and when I came back she did not start - she was just 'growling' internal lights (engine temp etc.) went live but that's about it.

I rang a friend, we jumpstarted the car, I went shopping, she started ok on the parking lot.

Next day she died on me again, this time with no rumbling - indicators inside were still glowing but engine did not start. I rechecked all the fuses on the battery itself but the only thing I managed to get was the rumbling. Right now I am waiting for a battery jumpstart kit (leads+power source).

Could you share your suspicions with me? Am I just looking at changing the battery or might it be some other problem's indication?

Thanks in advance,
Greg.

goz83 · 28-12-2012 8:02pm

Age of Yaris?

How long have you owned?

Is there a sale date scratched onto the battery?

More information is helpful. The battery might be done for. Sounds like it alright, but it's possible something else could be draining it. Common culprit in my experience is the boot light not going out when the boot is closed.

johnayo · 28-12-2012 8:06pm

Battery needs checking to confirm, but by the sounds of it, it's goosed.

gburus · 28-12-2012 8:26pm

Will check all this stuff tommorow and post it here. Is this rare to have HD test facility or pretty much any mechanic shop should have it?

Yaris is 99, I have it for over 3 years now.

I do not have any light in the boot. the only 'light' that's on is Security light blinking.

miller50841 · 28-12-2012 9:05pm

You defo needs a new battery.

Any tyre shop or motor factors will have one for your car just bring it down most will change it for you.

If you find that the new battery doesn't hold a charge you will need a new alternator as they can also go.

It may be worth your while to get a full service on the car as your going to prolong it's life by looking after it.

gburus · 28-12-2012 9:25pm

Yes, that's the plan to get rid of all minor and not-so-minor issues.
Is there a way to check the alternator when they will be putting the battery in?

pred racer · 28-12-2012 9:28pm

Check it yourself, a healthy battery should read over 12.5v(with the car turned off)
Any less than 12 the battery is fooked.
If its on the borderline, check it, disconnect it and leave it overnight, it should be at pretty much the same voltage as before. If its not its fooked, if it is something in your car is draining your battery
If the alternator was gone you wouldnt get far after a jump start.

johnayo · 28-12-2012 10:33pm

gburus wrote: »

Yes, that's the plan to get rid of all minor and not-so-minor issues.
Is there a way to check the alternator when they will be putting the battery in?

If its a mechanic fitting it, he will be able to check it no bother.

Battery dying or something else?

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