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Author Topic: Battery issues, advice needed.  (Read 1129 times)

Offline Tinytim

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Battery issues, advice needed.
« on: March 10, 2017, 11:27:45 pm »
I've had the car since August and battery was fine however starting around January the battery suddenly died one morning. Car wouldn't start.

I'd not left anything on to drain the battery so suspected the cold weather had killed the battery.
No worries I thought as it was still in warranty.

Company will replace it free of charge under warranty as long as can prove it is knackered.

So took it to halfords for a test and their report says the battery is good but needs charging (i fully charged it before I went)

The battery will not charge up properly. Will only go to 12.1 volts and then looses charge very quickly.
Surely this is faulty, but with the halfords report showing good, just needs a charge I don't know how I can prove it's faulty.

Surely this is a fault in itself that it won't charge up or hold a charge?

Battery is definitely charging when car is running as I have a read out on the dash telling me it's 14 volts.

After 10 mile journey home tonihht I turned the engine off and the dash read out read 12.1 volts.
Went out half an hour later and it's showing 11.7 volts.

I've even left the battery disconnected so I know nothing is draining it and it still loses charge.

So I'm basically having to charge it every night to make sure it will start the next day.
It's like having an electric car at this rate!

I'll have to pay for a new battery if they won't replace under warranty which is a bit annoying.
Has anyone else had this kind of problem with a battery and how do you prove it's been fully charged and not getting to the correct voltage or holding charge?

Offline grey golfster

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Re: Battery issues, advice needed.
« Reply #1 on: March 11, 2017, 03:18:38 pm »
Go to a tyre shed and get another free test...

Begger messing about with chargers...buy a new battery anway, they're not expensive atm. You can get top spec Varta for  <£60. Plenty of posts on here already about that

Try and claim back.
If not, move on......

Offline pudding

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Re: Battery issues, advice needed.
« Reply #2 on: March 13, 2017, 10:54:53 am »
Battery is f'cked.  Pardon my French.

With both terminals removed, the voltage should be 12.6V minimum.   12.1-12.3 is normal with the ignition on.

Did Halfords just bung a voltmeter across it, or did they do a proper battery condition test?

What battery do you have?  Try going to the manufacturer directly if Halfords aren't playing ball.



2007 ED30 | 2009 TDI 140 | 2016 BMW 330D

Offline Tinytim

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Re: Battery issues, advice needed.
« Reply #3 on: March 29, 2017, 08:52:40 pm »
It's been a while since checking in so only just seen the replies.

The tester they used was more than a voltmeter. Its says the battery is ok but needs to be charged.
This is really frustrating because this is the problem. I've fully charged the battery and their test shows it under voltage and still needing to be charged.
So there is something clearly wrong. Basically the battery won't charge up or hold a charge for long.

Just done a VCDS scan tonight that has flattened the battery. All of 5 mins while the ignition was on.

I think I'll just have to buy another battery but very frustrating the warranty isn't worth the paper it is written on.

Offline Lewo

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Re: Battery issues, advice needed.
« Reply #4 on: March 29, 2017, 09:07:57 pm »
I managed to get a battery replaced under warranty at ECP a while ago, had to buy another while the other was 'tested' then got it refunded.
Think that's how it went, but it was 3 years or so ago.....  :driver:

Offline pudding

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Re: Battery issues, advice needed.
« Reply #5 on: March 30, 2017, 09:51:23 am »
Sounds like the battery has a dead cell.

Has the alternator been checked?  A simple test at idle speed is to look closely at the interior lights and headlights as they will pulsate slightly.


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Offline grey golfster

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Re: Battery issues, advice needed.
« Reply #6 on: March 30, 2017, 02:07:47 pm »
Well done Pud!
Hope you aren't expecting feedback from tinytim for a couple of weeks ........... :stupid:

I can't be @rsed...... :signLOL: