Battery dead!!!

H

Harry911

Member
 Glasgow
Hi all,
I have a 53 plate 3.0 roadster with 39000 on the clock.
I use the car for approx three weeks of the month and the rest of the time it's on a CTEK. I've been doing the way for 18 months without any issues.
After lying for two days I disconnected the CTEK checking it was fully charged only for the car to click when I tried to start it.
I am now assuming the battery is totally shot and needs replacing!
Help please!
:thumbsup:
 
Do the lights come on if you switch them on? Can you check it with a multimeter? Not a definitive diagnosis but a good start.
 
I am having similar woes on my M - borrowing a multi meter tonight after a week off the CTEK it would not start
 
A multimeter will not suffice for checking the health of your battery. You need to take it to an auto centre so that they can test the battery performance whilst it is on load. I worked at an auto centre in my yoof, I seem to remember it was called a Bear tester.Just because your multimeter tells you it has 12 Volts, that doesn't necessarily mean you are in the clear. You need enough wiggly amps as well!

If the battery is old I would bet a large sum of money that it is goosed.
 
Hi, yeah all the lights are coming on. Its nearly starting and then just clicking!
Do you think my breakdown cover would be able to check the battery?

Cheers.
 
I'm not sure if a breakdown mechanic would carry an on load tester. I think there is a way of doing it with a multimeter but I wouldn't advise if you aren't an experienced electrician.

My rule of thumb has always been, if the battery looks old and the car won't start, change it. I haven't been wrong yet.
 
Harry911 said:
Hi, yeah all the lights are coming on. Its nearly starting and then just clicking!
Do you think my breakdown cover would be able to check the battery?

Cheers.
Click to expand...

Prob battery. Not enough juice to pump the starter motor... Happens all the time on one of our BMW Mini's... we don't use it that often!
 
Ok thanks.
Next question -
What output should I be looking for?
I know it's personal choice but I would appreciate recommendations on battery type and places to buy.
Can I fit this myself without the worry of recoding?

Thanks.
 
Thanks, this is a photo of the top of the battery that's in the car!
IMG_0190_zpsq3eizrie.jpg
Would the Bosch s3 give me the correct output?

Cheers
 
Actually the size measured in either AH or CCA and depends upon which engine year and manual or auto you have, so not really 'personal choice'
A big error is getting too small a battery as on a cold damp day it won't have the guts to do the job
You photo is of a 74AH 600a battery

S3 is a range not a specific battery, but they are a good battery. Stick your reg in here and it will give some suggestions
https://www.tayna.co.uk/search/bosch%20S3
 
Thanks for the info!
When I went out tonight my CTEK was very hot to the touch. I'm not sure if this is a consequence of the battery not taking a trickle charge.
Cheers :thumbsup:
 
To be honest, if you use the car 3 weeks out of the month you shouldn't really need a CTEK. The battery in my car isn't new and it regularly goes 2-3 weeks at a time without being used. I ride to work quite a lot and have done for a few years now, as a result the different cars I've had over the years have always been sat for long periods unused. I've never used a CTEK or any other device and not had a problem.
 
peteslag said:
To be honest, if you use the car 3 weeks out of the month you shouldn't really need a CTEK. The battery in my car isn't new and it regularly goes 2-3 weeks at a time without being used. I ride to work quite a lot and have done for a few years now, as a result the different cars I've had over the years have always been sat for long periods unused. I've never used a CTEK or any other device and not had a problem.
Click to expand...

Completely agree with you regarding cars like the Z4, which is really an old school car and relatively low battery drain and would never connect mine to the CTEK unless I planned on parking up for weeks or was working on it such as code reading where oyu need to keep peak voltage

However, go to any airport and see the equipment ready to start cars. Many new cars can't stand a week let alone 2 or 3 without discharging. My Jag XF had to have a recall and several software upgrades to combat battery drain while parked as the security systems drank power.
 
Hi all,
When I bought the CTEK I was only using the car 1-2 weeks of the month. I think then it was just habit that I continued to use the CTEK as it said it conditioned the battery.
Anyway after the comments from you guys (thanks) I just purchased a new battery. I might even fit it...shock horror if I don't literally get shocked doing it, as long as it doesn't take too long as I move hose tomorrow...good timing...not! :thumbsup:
 
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