Any Advice On My Car?

dexters_mum_2

Hi all
If anyone could offer me any advice, I'd be very grateful!
I bought a nearly new (ex-demonstrator with 6k on the clock) Vauxhall Corsa in 2004, 04 reg, 1.0 litre 12v Life Model from a Vauxhall main dealer.

It currently has 47k on the clock and has been serviced every year or 20k and has been very lovingly looked after all the time, she gets whatever she needs doing, done.

This week, before the snow, the car wouldn't start and this went on for 2-3 hours and I had to get the AA out, who diagnosed a flat battery. I took it to the garage I bought it from and had it serviced and new tyres the next day as it was just about due but they said the battery was fine and so didn't replace it.

Anyway, I went off out to work today and I picked my friend up on the way a jouney of 15 minutes, I stopped my car for literally minutes and when I came to turn on the engine again, the car again wouldn't start. The AA came out again and it was again, the battery.

The lovely AA man advised me to take the car back home and to take it to Vauxhalll on Monday.

He thought the battery isn't charging when the engine is on but he couldn't find the problem that is causing the battery to constantly discharge although he did say that if I had had it serviced as recently as this week, a problem should have been investigated properly and rectified...but then I didn't ask them to look at it, so they aren't psychic, I asked them to look at the battery, they did and said it was fine.

Anyway, can anyone suggest a reason as to why it might be doing this and should I just ask the garage to replace the battery now, also, should I be asking them to be looking at anything else too?


Thanks,
DM x

peterg1965

It must be relatively easy to find out if the battery is not holding its charge. I would guess that could be the problem, failing that it may be the alternator (the thing that charges the battery). It wouldnt be a surprise if the battery needs changing after 50K miles and 4 years, especially if it has been subjected to frequent starts (ie short journeys). I would take it back to the Vauxhall dealer and ask them to check it out.

dexters_mum_2

Thank you Peter, I think your post hit the nail on the head, it is my runabout, it is nearly on 50k, which is slightly higher than average but I will definately heed your advice there, extremely helpful, thanks very much.

RhysH

I would say its more than likley the battery is not holding charge, rather than drastic measures. Your alternator will be fine, as if this were broke and you battery was already dead the car would be undriveable. Should be something simple like battery

cutesee

dexters mum my clio does the same thing think its to do with the electrics and it cant seem to get sorted so selling it cos not being able to start my car some days is gettin right on my nerves!

Quinny_2

I am inclined to agree,that after 50k,and frequent start/stopping,that the battery will have come to the end of it's life.

But you don't have to take it to Vauxhall.Find a good battery retailer in the Yellow Pages,and take it to them,who will in turn,test it while your there,and still on the car,and if found to be past it's best,will replace it in about 10 minutes at the most.

Will almost be cheaper than Vauxhall as well.

Ken.