Seat Ibiza starting issue

ian103

I have a Seat Ibiza thats 2yrs 9 months old, but with only 4000 miles so little used. I have recently had issues starting the car and have been back to the service department of the supplying dealer. The service manager was extremely unhelpful on my last visit - told me I would have top pay circa £100 for a diagnostic check to see if they could identify the problem.

Again today the car failed to start (it turned over slowly but didn't fire), I put it on charge for 5 minutes and it immediately started.

Put a voltmeter on the battery with the engine running at tickover, it read 14.2 volts, put a volt meter on the battery and then got someone to start the car - the reading dropped below 10v but started.

Am I right in thinking the battery is defective? My other thought is that there could be a current drain somewhere.

The other thing I have been advised is to get a battery conditioner - just not sure how this would work as the cars kept outside - anybody goit a sugestion?

I will never buy a Seat again as the excuses so far is that it needs daily use for a decent journey rather than period use for short runs (its a 'supermini' so I would expect it to cope with being used as a runabout. Really disappointed as the local garage had been extremely good in the past.

forgotmyname

If it starts better after charging then it does seem like the battery is weak.

Battery conditioner? You mean a charger that you leave connected 24/7?

Thats OK but the battery is already weak and you wont have the charger when your away from home.

Fit a new battery. Look after that one with a charger/conditioner.

WTFH

It's not a defective battery, it's an unused one which has lost it's charge.

When was the car serviced last?

attila_

I know dealers are generally crap but what do you expect them to do here? You haven't used the car so its got a flat battery. Just stick a charger on it and see how it goes.

ian103

The car does get the occasional use and is serviced inaccordance with manufacturers requirements. The car is started regulary as suggested by the service department due to the low use and left to run for 15 minutes or so. The battery is also topped up with a battery charger if it sounds like it needs a boost. So I think its a bit more than a flat battery.

I used the car Thursday last week, started at home, drove for a mile and called ion somewhere, then went the tip which is about 10 mile, the car didn't start at the tip, push started it and went to work. Started fine there after. This is when I went to the garage for the second time and they were unhelpful. Used the car last Friday and drove for 30 miles or so and the car was fine, but yesterday I tried to start the car - car wouldn't turn over.

Already done the basics thats why I'm querying defective battery as I know the way the car is used isn't good for a battery. The other fauls that spring to mind are faulty earth, a leakage somewhere but can't think where or how to test

Ultrasonic

What is the voltage across the battery when the car isn't running. And does this drop over time as the car is left?

Edit: It would be worth you reading this thread if you haven't already:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4821150

ian103

It was about 12.5 yesterday but 12.2 today. But I guess some drop is to be expected after a charge. I also put it back on charge at 16:30 and it started charging at 6amp, now charging at 3amp. Just off to read that thread

[Deleted User]

ian103 wrote: »

Put a voltmeter on the battery with the engine running at tickover

What does it read, with the engine, and everything else, off?

EDIT: Beaten to it by Ultrasonic.

ian103

12.6 after charging but 12.2 tonight

[Deleted User]

That's a little on the low side, for my liking.

Has the battery been back in the car, between tests?

ian103

yes, connected but not used (other than fitted equipment).

I got a price on a new battery of £50 but they want another £10 to fit (independant) - I was tempted to fit it myself but never fitted a battery on a modern car with all the computers - is it a straightforward case of unbolting and bolting in the new.