Battery problem?

[MikeyH]

Hello everyone, Just gone to start my 2.2 E85 and all I get is a thumping sound, starter replaced almost 2 years ago by me, I drove the car this morning and it was fine. I have removed the battery to charge it, it showed 9.5V at first but now after around 30 mins later gone up to 12.5V, is this normal do you know? Found a receipt from previous owner and the one in the car was bought in June 2016 , so assuming it is the battery and I have been lucky for 2 years. Just the odd 'thump, thump' noise when turning the key. Wipers work and so do the lights. All I've done since I returned from my morning drive (trip to the shops) is mess about with the passenger windscreen squirter nozzle and use the wipers. I am hoping that it is the 17 year old Bosch battery but worried about the odd noise. Normal? Thanking you all in advance. Mike

 

[DashingDaryl]

I would guess it is the battery. The jump in voltage after such a short time seems odd, which leads me to this conclusion

 

[MikeyH]

Thank you for your reply Dashing Daryl, my thoughts also. Just that odd noise. I've been looking online and its not easy to just buy locally a Bosch S5005 that is in the car now. Halfords sell a Yuasa 5000 Hsb096 but longer size but will fit and more power. Yuasa seems to be liked on here. I will ask my local battery place tomorrow to see what they have. Hope this is all it is.

 

[MikeyH]

Yes, just put it back in charged up. works fine, now I just need to find one locally. Yuasa from halfords?

 

[Pondrew]

The thumping noise is probably the starter solenoid pulling in but not enough juice to turn over the starter motor.

You said it went from 9.5V to 12.5V in 30 minutes...is that when on charge? If so, depends on what amperage your charger is. Also if you took the 9.5V just after trying to start the car, the voltage will 'bounce back' a bit when not doing anything.

 

[Pondrew]

Yes, just put it back in charged up. works fine, now I just need to find one locally. Yuasa from halfords?

Before buying a new battery, I would keep an eye on the existing one for a few weeks TBH. You may find it was just an anomaly and it may be OK.

 

[deltasierra]

What is the alternator charging voltage now the battery is back in the car it should be 14v or so

 

[smorris_12]

It's the battery. With age they lose capacity and, at 17, it's probably 20 minutes radio usage between working and flat. 12 years is usually very good going, 17 is very rare.

Once they reach the stage of needing a charge after mildly adverse usage (a short previous run, a double start etc) then that's it. Capacity loss is non-reversible so, waiting another couple of weeks (especially as the weather's getting colder) will just lumber you at exactly the wrong moment!

 

[Pondrew]

.

 

[Pondrew]

Found a receipt from previous owner and the one in the car was bought in June 2016
I am hoping that it is the 17 year old Bosch battery

So is the battery 7 or 17 years old? Could make a major difference!

 

[MikeyH]

Found a receipt from previous owner and the one in the car was bought in June 2016
I am hoping that it is the 17 year old Bosch battery

Sorry it’s 7 years old :headbang: maths very poor :thumbsdown:

So is the battery 7 or 17 years old? Could make a major difference!

 

[MikeyH]

The thumping noise is probably the starter solenoid pulling in but not enough juice to turn over the starter motor.

You said it went from 9.5V to 12.5V in 30 minutes...is that when on charge? If so, depends on what amperage your charger is. Also if you took the 9.5V just after trying to start the car, the voltage will 'bounce back' a bit when not doing anything.

Yes when I started the charge it went from 9.5 to 12.5v in 30 mins. I don’t know the amperage of the charger. I haven’t helped the battery as I found out I can lower the roof from the key and I haven’t been out for a long run for a while. Bit stupid of me really as I know it’s best to run the engine while lowering it.

 

[MikeyH]

What is the alternator charging voltage now the battery is back in the car it should be 14v or so

Sorry I afraid I don’t know :thumbsdown:

 

[MikeyH]

It's the battery. With age they lose capacity and, at 17, it's probably 20 minutes radio usage between working and flat. 12 years is usually very good going, 17 is very rare.

Once they reach the stage of needing a charge after mildly adverse usage (a short previous run, a double start etc) then that's it. Capacity loss is non-reversible so, waiting another couple of weeks (especially as the weather's getting colder) will just lumber you at exactly the wrong moment!

I’m sorry It should be 7 years old, I thought they only lasted 5 years.

 

[Mr Tidy]

I’m sorry It should be 7 years old, I thought they only lasted 5 years.

Not on E85/E86s, only later models especially those with stop/start.

My first E86 seemed to be on the original when I sold it at nearly 10 years old.

My next E86 also needed a new battery when it got to 10.

But my 123d with stop/start needed a new AGM battery that needed to be coded in less than 5 years. Apparently that's progress. :roll:

 

[MikeyH]

I’m sorry It should be 7 years old, I thought they only lasted 5 years.

Not on E85/E86s, only later models especially those with stop/start.

My first E86 seemed to be on the original when I sold it at nearly 10 years old.

My next E86 also needed a new battery when it got to 10.

But my 123d with stop/start needed a new AGM battery that needed to be coded in less than 5 years. Apparently that's progress. :roll:

Maybe I ought to wait then to see how it goes. Wife was going to get me a new one tomorrow.

 

[MikeyH]

It might be better to give it a longer charge then and go along to my local battery place and get it tested before I waste my money.

 

[Pondrew]

Wife was going to get me a new one tomorrow.

Very good of you to let your wife lug a 15kg battery around, Michael! oke:

 

[Pondrew]

It might be better to give it a longer charge then and go along to my local battery place and get it tested before I waste my money.

Get yourself an intelligent maintenance charger, mate. It doesn't have to be an all singing and dancing one (although the cTek ones are very good). I have a Screwfix special which cost about £20 and does a perfectly good job. You can stick it on the car whenever you like; it won't overcharge the battery.

I am convinced they prolong the useful life of any battery.

 

[MikeyH]

Wife was going to get me a new one tomorrow.

Very good of you to let your wife lug a 15kg battery around, Michael! oke:

They have their uses oke: :rofl: But after reading all of these replies I think I’m going to give it a good charge and stop using the key to put the roof down :headbang: and see how it goes.
Thanks for all your advice