No power

[Ryland]

Hello, I have a Golf GTI 1.8 8v, In the last couple of days the batt seem to struggle to turn over and then completly died, I got a second hand batt from the breakers but it still dosent even try to turn over plus the lights wont even come on, I have no way of testing this batt is it likely to be a dud batt or could somthing eles have caused this?

Thanks

[Uku]

the comment 'second hand battery' says it all tbh , dont go cheap on this as the digi needs a good battery to run well , id suspect thats dud too. i spent a ridicolous amount on halfords top end one but a bosch silver or similar is a good bet.

[takethefifth]

I would not trust a battery from a breakers as you have no way of knowing its any better than the one you have already.  What you need is a battery charger and a multimeter.

Battery charger to make sure your batttery is all nice and topped up and a Multimeter so you can check the voltage on your battery both with the engine on and off.  engine off the battery should be a minimum of 12v, with the engine running this should jump to around 14v. If there is no jump then the alternator is not charging the battery correctly.

[xxdansigxx]

also have you checked the ignition leads???

check them and also make sure the wiring to the starter motor and altenator is in good working order..