Battery keeps going flat

Findif

1 morning my car suddenly didn't start. Made clicking noise. My neighbour instantly got it working with jump starting with his car. I drove 60 miles on the motorway. 3 times since then. It's been a week now..... It didn't start up yesterday either... and the night before I was driving on the motorway.

It does feel every time I leave my car for 6 or 8 hours . It struggles to start. Although it takes 1 turn but I can hear it dying. But does start up.

I had my alternator changed a year ago. ... So that should be fine.

Would it help if I charged my car over night with leads I have got which connect to my home mains plug? Or does the battery just need changing ?

Browntoa

Battery probably knackered

Findif

I've drove twice on the motorway since then

Browntoa

If it's older that. 8-10 years old then I'd do it before it gets really cold

twhitehousescat

Findif wrote: »

1 morning my car suddenly didn't start. Made clicking noise. My neighbour instantly got it working with jump starting with his car. I drove 60 miles on the motorway. 3 times since then. It's been a week now..... It didn't start up yesterday either... and the night before I was driving on the motorway.

It does feel every time I leave my car for 6 or 8 hours . It struggles to start. Although it takes 1 turn but I can hear it dying. But does start up.

I had my alternator changed a year ago. ... So that should be fine.

Would it help if I charged my car over night with leads I have got which connect to my home mains plug? Or does the battery just need changing ?

check charging before buying a new battery

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-Battery-Alternator-Tester-All-Car-Vehicle-12V-Systm-Charge-Level-Indicator/273812599762?epid=26017011025&hash=item3fc080b3d2:g:mDUAAOSwgY9XeUxW

Rolandtheroadie

I'd go with something like this to check charging, battery and then for parasitic drain.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/lap-mas830b-digital-multimeter-600v/75337

Findif

Thanks for the tips guys..

If I have been driving long distance since I got the car jump lead started.... should that be enough to fully charge the battery?

I don't think there's any point buying a battery testing kit . If I'm going to end up buying a new battery anyway.

I do have a charger which can connect to the mains at home. But is this necessary? If I've been driving ?

TadleyBaggie

When it happened to me (1 year old car) I got the RAC out who tested the battery and confirmed it was duff. They then replaced it FOC and billed the manufacturer under warranty.

twhitehousescat

Findif wrote: »

Thanks for the tips guys..

If I have been driving long distance since I got the car jump lead started.... should that be enough to fully charge the battery?

I don't think there's any point buying a battery testing kit . If I'm going to end up buying a new battery anyway.

I do have a charger which can connect to the mains at home. But is this necessary? If I've been driving ?

I( would suggest buying the simple led tester BEFORE wasting money on a battery , nice n simple watch the lights

they have them in lidl/aldi often

facade

Findif wrote: »

I do have a charger which can connect to the mains at home. But is this necessary? If I've been driving ?

If the alternator is working and there is no electrical fault with the car, then it shouldn't be necessary after driving 60 miles, 3 times in a week.


Everyone is telling you to get some checks made before you spend money, but if you want to take a chance on it being the battery ( it probably is) fit a new battery.

Findif

Should that sort of driving charge the battery to it's max capacity ? Whatever the max is.