Quick bit of starting help/confirmation please! Details inside...

[AdamR]

Hi guys,

When I leave my car for a few days it refuses to start... I'm after a bit of help if poss please!

First up I had a bit of a tinker, checked stuff was tight, looked around the earth strap and other connections, all seem good.

Checked the voltage this morning and it was around 10.8, it was 11.2 last night! Jump started the car and it rose immediately to 14 (that means the alternator is ok, right?). Then ran it for a few minutes, battery now at 13.0 volts. Left it a few mins and it dropped to 12.6 (dropping off after charging is normal too I think?).

Tried connecting the negative battery terminal in series with the negative battery terminal and checking for any current flowing - zilch. The one thing I haven't tried is the same thing with the alarm set (but this shouldn't draw much current?).

So, I'm thinking that it's just a dodgy battery that's finally given up with the recent cold weather? It looks fairly new but you never know... Would anyone agree/be able to confirm please?!



Now, next question - I'm not very 'up' on batteries but I think the standard for my car (ABF) is 60Ah and 570 cold cranking amps. That one appears to be 75Ah and 700 cold cranking amps? The car has been cammed so I'm assuming it needs a bit more beans to turn it over, and this could be the reason for the uprated battery? Or someone in the past has had a starting issue and just gone 'lets bang a bigger battery in'?

Any help appreciated!

Cheers,
Adam

[justalex81]

wouldn't need a bigger battery cause it's been cammed.

get down to halfrauds and they'll do a free battery check for you.

[Deano2711]

The kids at Halfords are useless anyway. Told me my battery was fine then the car would not start. Jump started first time though and when I changed the battery was ok for the rest of the time I owned it. Sounds to me like your battery is on it's way out really but in the cold weather it's best to start the car regular and leave it running for a while to keep charge I find. 

[rubjonny]

10.3 volt is far too low, either your battery is dead or you have a volt drain somewhere. halfords will check it for free
just depends if the guy knows how to use the equipment properly I suppose

[AdamR]

Yeah, it's defo too low, I only really use the car once a week or less you see...

Cheers for the help guys, I'll give Hellfrauds a go!

[Wayne]

Yeah, it's defo too low, I only really use the car once a week or less you see...

Cheers for the help guys, I'll give Hellfrauds a go!

Might be worth giving it a long run once in a while.

[AdamR]

Yeah I do when I can - Oulton Park tomorrow, woop!