Car wouldn't start first time

robdex1

My car yesterday wouldn't start, it sounded like the battery was dying, after a few attempts I waited 5 mins and it was fine. This was after driving it on and off all day. This morning it started fine too. My local garage are too busy. I'm worried it could happen again and I might break down. Is it likely to be the battery? I was using my car charger for maybe 20 mins without the engine on (I know I shouldn't).

Is it worth taking to Halfords for a free battery check? Don't want to get ripped off, their cheapest battery is £70 plus £18 to fit. I'm worried it could be a different problem that would cost me more. Occasionally for the last week or so it hasn't started straight away but always starts fine on the second attempt, not like yesterday. Sorry for the long post any advice?

Ebe_Scrooge

There's no harm in getting the battery checked, if it's a free service.  How old is the battery, and has it been fully discharged at some point?  Batteries do have a finite life - if it's more than about 5-7 years old, it could be on its last legs.  Added to which, winter weather puts extra strain on the battery.  And they don't like being fully discharged.

If you're confident in fitting a new battery yourself (not a difficult job), I've always found AlphaBatteries to be very good on price and service.

comeandgo

If you are so worried about your cars performance join AA or other car recovery company so you have back up in case it does not start.

jimbo6977

The onset of cold weather often produces the first signs of battery degradation in a unit that had just about managed to work fine up to that point. Can you get a cheap multimeter and test the battery yourself? 

Norman_Castle

Many local car shops check and fit batteries for free. They're also often cheaper.

neilmcl

robdex1 said:

My car yesterday wouldn't start, it sounded like the battery was dying, after a few attempts I waited 5 mins and it was fine. This was after driving it on and off all day. This morning it started fine too. My local garage are too busy. I'm worried it could happen again and I might break down. Is it likely to be the battery? I was using my car charger for maybe 20 mins without the engine on (I know I shouldn't).

Is it worth taking to Halfords for a free battery check? Don't want to get ripped off, their cheapest battery is £70 plus £18 to fit. I'm worried it could be a different problem that would cost me more. Occasionally for the last week or so it hasn't started straight away but always starts fine on the second attempt, not like yesterday. Sorry for the long post any advice?

When you say you've used a "car charger" can we assume you're talking about a phone charger connected to the 12v socket rather than  a car battery charger?

As mentioned, how old is the battery in question? No harm getting it checked as it's free, nobody is going to force you to buy a new car battery. Also, as mentioned, if you're worried about breakdowns then join a breakdown service, they are relatively cheap if you shop around. Other things to consider is getting a battery charger (a good on is a CTEK MX5.0) or even a jump starter battery pack (I have a Noco one that comes in very handy for jump starting my dad's van when he needs it).

Flight3287462

Try and take it for a decent drive and get it charged up fully (or borrow a charger) then monitor and if you feel it is becoming lazy then you can plan ahead.

They hate cold weather and covid inspired lack of use.  If the battery is 5+ years old it may be getting tired.

I thought mine was on the way out last January but a bit more driving this and it has  been fine .........so far.

I wouldn't get too excited just yet.

Mutton_Geoff

jimbo6977 said:

The onset of cold weather often produces the first signs of battery degradation in a unit that had just about managed to work fine up to that point. Can you get a cheap multimeter and test the battery yourself? 

You can't test what really matters with a cheap multimeter (cranking current). Better to have it tested although I recently had to call out the AA for a flat battery and they told me I'd killed the battery allowing it to go so flat (less than 4v). I took it to the main dealer for a service & MOT and asked them to check the battery at the same time. They reported the battery was still good (bear in mind this was a Porsche main dealer so they had every opportunity to sell me a new battery to replace the 7 year old original but didn't).

It's not just the battery that appears to degrade in the winter, it's being asked to do more work cranking a car with a colder engine.

Goudy

Yes, it's difficult to test a battery properly at home.
With a multi/volt meter you can test for volts, but you also need lots of amps to start the engine and to test for those you need a different testing tool.

What you can do is narrow down things with a voltmeter.
Test the battery for volts with the engine (and everything else switched off, radio, lights inside and out etc).
You should see around 12.5 or more volts.

Start the engine and test again.
You should see 14.4 or so volts. This shows the alternator is working properly.

If you have a multimeter set it to read amps, turn off the engine and make sure everything electrical is turned off again and disconnect the negative battery lead.
Use the meter (set to amps) to bridge across the gap.
This will test if there is a parasitic drain on the battery that might be draining it overnight.
You should only see a very small drain, around 0.05 amps or less.
Don't try testing the battery itself for amps across the terminals, even a old battery will fry the multimeter as it's not designed to test that sort of load.

If these tests are ok and you still have battery/starting issues and the battery is 3 or more years old, it's more than likely the battery has started to lose it's ability to store enough amps and you need a new one but now you know that the alternator can charge a new battery ok and you haven't a drain that will flatten your new battery.

facade

Good advice, except for this part

Goudy said:

If you have a multimeter set it to read amps, turn off the engine and make sure everything electrical is turned off again and disconnect the negative battery lead.
Use the meter (set to amps) to bridge across the gap.
This will test if there is a parasitic drain on the battery that might be draining it overnight.
You should only see a very small drain, around 0.05 amps or less.
Don't try testing the battery itself for amps across the terminals, even a old battery will fry the multimeter as it's not designed to test that sort of load.

Quite often with modern cars there is an immediate drain on reconnecting the battery of several amps whilst the car sorts out what it is happening, dropping to 0.05 amps after a few minutes when it goes to sleep.

robdex1

Thanks for all the responses. Took it to Kwik fit for a free battery check. Didn't fully understand but he said it's reading as unserviceable showing like 57 or something? Said need a new battery wanted to charge me £110 but looked on their website and the price was coming up £87 with fitting so he said book it online. Is that a reasonable price? 054e battery