Can battery be recovered?

TuppenceHapenny

AdrianC wrote: »

Problem fixed? Or symptom fixed?

If the battery is disconnected, you shouldn't need to keep charging it at all.

In that case, any idea what might be going on with my car - why might the battery be running down when disconnected and why does the charger show it as being fully charged when it doesn't have enough charge to start the engine?

AdrianC

Because the battery's knackered.

almillar

12 to 14 volts might be described as fully charged, but what a car needs to get started is CCA - cold cranking amps - the big current needed to turn the engine to start. Whilst your battery might look 'full' it isn't outputting the current any more.

Robisere

If you buy a new battery, don't just fit it and put the car back in the garage. It needs to be run, and not just outside, it needs a good road run. Engines are meant to be used. If they are not put under load regularly, it does more harm than good. Oil pools in the sump and does not circulate, it drains down from every component over time and bearing surfaces become dry: when the engine starts after a long period of no use, there is more wear created than hundreds of miles of road running. The charging circuit deteriorates, some electrical contacts begin slowly corroding. Use the car, you are doing it no favours. Is there a reason why you don't use it regularly?

Perhaps you would be better off selling it, if you are not using it. But it will still need a new battery.