05 Ford Focus dead battery 2 days running

Warper

Left the side lights on in my car on Monday night. Went to car yesterday totally dead, got jumps boosted it, drove it around for 20 mins thinking all is fine.

Went out to it tonight, 24 hrs later and same thing, nothing left on either btw

What should i do, give it one more jumps lead boost and drive around and then see if ok or book an appointment at a garage to have a look?

Do private small garages replace batteries/alternators if needed or should i just go straight to a Ford dealer?? Help appreciated

Atlantic Dawn

Did you only drive it for the 20 minutes? If so that would not be enough to replenish the battery, especially with this cold weather. A long drive of 1 hour plus should resolve it if the battery was healthy before you left the lights on.

b_mac2

Cells are probably ****èd in the battery, just get a new one.

The high horse brigade

If you drained it fully you probably need to take it out and give it a full overnight charge with a mains battery charger. Then you can properly judge if it's being charged by the alternator

Warper

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

Did you only drive it for the 20 minutes? If so that would not be enough to replenish the battery, especially with this cold weather. A long drive of 1 hour plus should resolve it if the battery was healthy before you left the lights on.

Ya thats all i done thinking it would be enough, im gonna try a longer drive next time as you say for an hour and then if that doesnt work, take it to a garage, thanks

Atlantic Dawn

If the battery is 5 years or older you might be as well just to replace it now coming in to the winter, a strong battery is needed to start the car on cold mornings and run the lights, heater, rear demister etc.

delly

Warper wrote: »

Ya thats all i done thinking it would be enough, im gonna try a longer drive next time as you say for an hour and then if that doesnt work, take it to a garage, thanks

You can get plug in battery chargers for €35 to €50. I'd recommend getting one of these and fully charge it before wasting your petrol money. I got one five years ago and it has paid for itself several times over.

racinggreen

Some focus models are fitted with a smart alternator, if yours is dont fit a lead acid battery. It will need a calcium one.

Pkiernan

Just get a new battery fitted at Halfords.