Anyone know about batteries please?

consumers_revenge

My car dash has lights up all over it and wont start. Seem to be that the interior light was left on my my little lad ( bless him! :mad: ). Anyway have charged the battery for around 9-11 hours and it appears to drain instantly when you try to start it, juust clicks and dims the headlights/dash.

Now the thing is my battery has what looks like a windowed circle on it thats clear on top. If you look inside it looks red. Now this might be whats known as a charge indicator? Telling me the batterys knackered?

Anyone confirm please?

Cheers.

tomfun

It could be that the charger is also knackered, i would get a decent set of jump leads and jump the car off and see how it holds it`s charge for a few days.

consumers_revenge

The chargers good as I used it for another battery about 2 weeks ago.

goldspanners

usually the charge indicator should be green if the battery is good.

i would carry out a battery load test. i have my own tester,but most motor factors will have a battery load tester, this will tell you if the battery is goosed. it is best to have the battery full charged before testing. but it will also show up an unservicable discharged battery.

anewman

Have you tested the voltage with a voltmeter/multimeter? It should be about 12.5v or higher (after charging leave at least an hour before using the voltmeter for the battery to settle.)

Have you checked the battery electrolyte level? (You may either have two lift off caps, or 6 screw in caps).

goldspanners

anewman wrote: »

Have you tested the voltage with a voltmeter/multimeter? It should be about 12.5v or higher (after charging leave at least an hour before using the voltmeter for the battery to settle.)

Have you checked the battery electrolyte level? (You may either have two lift off caps, or 6 screw in caps).

most with these charge indicators these days are sealed units and can not be topped up. good shout though.:T

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

How old is the battery? If its older than 5 years its probably time to get shut anyway, especially after a winter this cold.

consumers_revenge

Unsure as I only bought it last may.

However its started no probs all through winter. Im now mostly on 2 wheels so its prob not getting a decent charge.

Hopefully will swap with wifes battery today. If my cars normal...off to the shops!

thanks guys

maninthestreet

RED means DEAD - the battery has to be replaced.