Battery?

[jesus]

My 182 wouldn't start after work last night, had to get jumped.

Wouldn't start this morning but I only made a short journey from work. Jumped it, got to work fine and switched it off... then back on and it came on again.

I've had a new alternator in the past year.

When I finished work today, it coughed a bit... then started up.

Is my battery on it's last legs or could it be another problem?

 

[ThomasBrentnall]

Have you tested it with a multimeter?

 

[jesus]

Whilst the engine is running yes, I didn't have much time to do proper tests though. Should I be doing it with the engine off too after a run and seeing what voltage it's holding?

 

[ThomasBrentnall]

Yeah if you switch it off once you've been out in it (too fully charge) and check the voltage and make a note of it. Then check it again a hour or so later and it should be the same!

 

[jesus]

I can guarantee it won't start in the morning! So it must definitely be losing charge because if I switch it off after a long run, then on again, it just comes on. If I leave it a bit then it's reluctant to start.

I just wanted to be super sure before splashing out on a new battery.

 

[ben lee]

check it with the engine running lights on and heated rear window to make sure its charging should be around 13.6-14.2v.
check the battery when its off (put the lights on for about 30sec-min to remove the serface charge) should be 12v -12.2v
get someone to start the engine whilst taking a reading shouldnt drop below 10v.

sounds like a dead cell get it drop tested at a garage is the only way to really test it. make sure the battery is fully charged most garages wont charge you to test it.

 

[BillBoy]

Sounds like a duff battery. Halfrauds will test it and fit a new one in a few minutes, if needed, so no point in faffing around with a dodgy battery

 

[aucky]

It needs a proper drop test not just the voltage testing ideally.

It could be on its last legs and the cold weather has highlighted this? I think mine is an original battery and it let me down last winter (at the pub after the chester meet when I left my lights on!) so 9years is a fair innings for a battery. Do you have/can borrow a trickle charger?

 

[guysy]

I'd maybe just wack a new one in there, I've got the black Bosch, cheap at the moment, might be able to use a code on it to get it cheaper.

http://www.eurocarparts.com/063-car-batteries

 

[AlexW]

Its winter and the battery is a few years old, I'd bet money on it being the battery.

 

[jesus]

Okay - it started this morning, made a trip to Ikea and Trafford Centre and it started fine all those times. Does that suggest that my alternator is fine and is in fact charging the (dying) battery? Is a new battery recommended?

 

[jesus]

Any ideas before midnight? I've found a new battery on offer but it ends tomorrow!