*Urgent help needed please*Could this just be a flat battery?

WantToBeSE

Hi all.

I went to start my car this afternoon and it wont start. I need some advice, but i'll let you all know the basics 1st:

- It's a 2001 Fiat Punto
-It hasn't been stood for a long time (i drive it almost everyday, apart from 1 day this week)
-It hasn't been in/near flood water
-I have waiting for my breakdown service to come out, but would like your advice/opinion in the meantime.

-When i try and start it- it turns over but doesn't have enough 'power' to start the engine. The digital display (clock) fades away. I had a similar problem with it last night, but it started after i turned it over a few times. however when i managed to start it last night, the clock reset itself to 0.00 (dont know if this is important to mention, but thought i may as well, just in case).

So, my 1st thought is that it could be the battery. But surely the battery couldn't drain after not using it for 1 day could it?

If it is the battery, how would i charge it? If i need a new one, how much could that cost?

Thanks everyone, in advance.

dacouch

When was the battery last replaced?

marlot

There are broadly three possibilities:

1. The battery isn't holding its charge.

2. a bad connection from the battery to the car (negative lead) or to the starter (positive lead).

3. The alternator is not charging the battery, so the battery has gradually been discharged without getting charged up again.

Its fairly easy to determine which it is it you have a volt meter. But I'd recommend recharging the battery first. Lidl/Aldi sell great little chargers for about £13 but I doubt they have any left now (they stock them each autumn).

GwylimT

Check the connections to the battery are all okay and secure, if you can charge the batter yourself and then see if the car will start. How old is the battery?

If you are able to charge the battery and the car still wont start the battery needs replacing, if a charge leads to the car starting it could be a problem with the alternator.

Depending on the model of your Punto a battery would be about £40-£50.

cajef

WantToBeSE wrote: »

So, my 1st thought is that it could be the battery. But surely the battery couldn't drain after not using it for 1 day could it?

If was nearly flat or not holding its charge then yes.

If it is the battery, how would i charge it?

With a battery charger.

If i need a new one, how much could that cost?

Look on Google for a battery for your model of car.

.....................

patman99

If you can afford to wait, then I would suggest buying a battery online. When I needed one I ended-up getting a Bosch 'Silveroxide' for £79. Halfords wanted £149 for their version (same maker, different marking on battery).

WantToBeSE

Thanks for the replies, i really appreciate it.

i am very impressed with my Breakdown Service (Call Assist, if anyone is interested), as someone was here within 20 minutes of me phoning them!

He said that the battery needs replacing. I last had it replaced 3 years ago. He basically just put some big 'clips' which was attached to a box with lights on, onto my battery (i presume these are jump leads, or a charger?) and my car started perfectly.

He told me to take it for a 20 min drive (which i have done) and hopefully it'll start in the morning so that i can get to work.

He said i could pick up a battery for about £50 from my local garage. So i will check online and at my local garage tomorrow.

If i am looking online, what do i search for? Do I find them via my car make/model, or are there lots of different types of batteries and i need to know what type i need?

custardy

WantToBeSE wrote: »

Thanks for the replies, i really appreciate it.

i am very impressed with my Breakdown Service (Call Assist, if anyone is interested), as someone was here within 20 minutes of me phoning them!

He said that the battery needs replacing. I last had it replaced 3 years ago. He basically just put some big 'clips' which was attached to a box with lights on, onto my battery (i presume these are jump leads, or a charger?) and my car started perfectly.

He told me to take it for a 20 min drive (which i have done) and hopefully it'll start in the morning so that i can get to work.

He said i could pick up a battery for about £50 from my local garage. So i will check online and at my local garage tomorrow.

If i am looking online, what do i search for? Do I find them via my car make/model, or are there lots of different types of batteries and i need to know what type i need?

most sites have fields to input reg/car details

Strider590

WantToBeSE wrote: »

He told me to take it for a 20 min drive (which i have done) and hopefully it'll start in the morning so that i can get to work.

How far is work?

Driving it to work on a bad battery is risky, you might (80%+ chance) end up having to call a recovery truck for your journey home.

goonarmy

WantToBeSE wrote: »

Thanks for the replies, i really appreciate it.

i am very impressed with my Breakdown Service (Call Assist, if anyone is interested), as someone was here within 20 minutes of me phoning them!

He said that the battery needs replacing. I last had it replaced 3 years ago. He basically just put some big 'clips' which was attached to a box with lights on, onto my battery (i presume these are jump leads, or a charger?) and my car started perfectly.

He told me to take it for a 20 min drive (which i have done) and hopefully it'll start in the morning so that i can get to work.

He said i could pick up a battery for about £50 from my local garage. So i will check online and at my local garage tomorrow.

If i am looking online, what do i search for? Do I find them via my car make/model, or are there lots of different types of batteries and i need to know what type i need?

are you going to work in it tommorrow? Id be prepared to make other transport arrangements if i were you or get a friend etc ready for a jump/bump start.
Hopefully it wont be too cold tonight.

spacey2012

Yep, it wont be starting tomorrow.
Thats what dead batteries do, I would get up early and make plans.
They wont come out again as well for the same fault you have not fixed.