Battery won't hold its charge

[monkadill]

Hi,

My Z has been sat idle for a few weeks so i jumped started it successfully and took it for a 20 minute spin. Today i tried to turn her over an the response was a constant clicking sound. I then successfully jump started the car and turned off the ignition to test the response and the issue is the same, no ignition and a clicking sound. The battery is a OEM replacement which has been on the car 1 year.

Any advice?

thanks,
Mark

 

[simonlpearce]

Take the battery back to where you got it for a replacement, and/or check your alternator. It will be one/both at fault.

 

[pvr]

Let me guess - a Bosch Silverline?

So many of those fail ...

 

[monkadill]

Lucky for me the battery has a year warranty..

Is there a easy way of checking the alternator?

 

[pvr]

Run the engine and check the charging voltage at the battery.

 

[Mike6]

Could be battery drain during dormant period. If car is locked and alarm on that could be enough to start draining battery. If it is going to sit unused for periods of time you need it connected to trickle charger and if garaged leave door unlocked.

 

[monkadill]

Could be battery drain during dormant period. If car is locked and alarm on that could be enough to start draining battery. If it is going to sit unused for periods of time you need it connected to trickle charger and if garaged leave door unlocked.

Thanks - can you recommend a trickle charger?

 

[Scooba_Steve]

You've got 2 issues.
1 - you need a new battery, once it's been discharged fully it will never have the same capacity again.
2 - you need to find the cause of the drain which could be any of the things above.

 

[srhutch]

Could be battery drain during dormant period. If car is locked and alarm on that could be enough to start draining battery. If it is going to sit unused for periods of time you need it connected to trickle charger and if garaged leave door unlocked.

Thanks - can you recommend a trickle charger?

Most of us use a CTEK.

 

[Smartbear]

You've got 2 issues.
1 - you need a new battery, once it's been discharged fully it will never have the same capacity again.
2 - you need to find the cause of the drain which could be any of the things above.

It could also be an old tracker gone bad, they can cause a parasitic drain on the battery it can't cope with.
Regards

 

[simonlpearce]

Using a trickle charger will only mask the problem until one day you leave it for a couple of weeks in a long stay car park only to find its flat as a pancake when you get back off your holiday.

Get it to Halfords and have them test it for free. They will do both your battery and alternator. Then you know where to start. If both are fine then go get an auto electrician to run some tests and see whats causing the discharge.

 

[cj10jeeper]

Using a trickle charger will only mask the problem until one day you leave it for a couple of weeks in a long stay car park only to find its flat as a pancake when you get back off your holiday.

Get it to Halfords and have them test it for free. They will do both your battery and alternator. Then you know where to start. If both are fine then go get an auto electrician to run some tests and see whats causing the discharge.

Agreed - only every use chargers on good system to keep them in tip top condition for weeks on end, not to mask a dead battery or poor charging system.

OP - I wouldn't get too fancy. If the battery is just a year old take it back as most will have offered you 3 or 4 year warranty. If not just get it tested and buy a new one.

 

[monkadill]

So the battery was swapped for a new one from EuroParts. The warranty for the replacement battery is only valid from the original purchase which is odd. I did challenge this and was told its the law.mmm..New battery fitted and the Z fires up. I have decided to unconnected the battery while she is not in use and have SORN'd her until the good weather. Thanks for the feed back.

 

[cj10jeeper]

That's correct. If you have 4 year warranty and after 3 years you get a warranty replacement you'll get 1 year.

Glad it seems just the battery at fault.