i think my battery has had it

Post by **dalebrignall** » Sat Jan 12, 2008 4:56 pm

this is proving to be an expensive month,i think i need a new battery for my saab.it was quite slow this morning.i took it off the car and struggled to remove the tops.there was no fluid on the plates.i have topped it up with rain water i am afraid,did not have any distilled.the inside of the tops looked blackened.someone told me when they go black its a good sign that its knackered.i am charging it up overnight i dont hold much hope.might be going to halfords in the morning.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat Jan 12, 2008 6:00 pm

You will get a much better deal in Costco if there is one near you - and you are (or know someone) who is a member.

Post by **Kevin** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 10:27 am

Hi Dale 2 of us locally have Costco cards if you are interested.

Post by **dalebrignall** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 12:18 pm

hi kevin thanks very much i might take you up on that.ill see how it goes this week.the battery was fizzing well this morning.i refitted it and she turned over quite fast time will tell though.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 4:57 pm

Maybe something is dragging the battery down when it's sitting ? Apart from obvious radio/alarm/light left on/battery condition meter - if you have an alternator it could be a failed diode allowing some reverse current leakage. One way to check - take the battery lead off and leave overnight - if the battery seems good in the morning that could be the problem. Also - if when you go to reconnect the main terminal you see a 'spark' jump from the battery to the terminal - that would be a sign of current being drawn!

Post by **dalebrignall** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 6:16 pm

got my pricey battery from halfords but it does have a 4 year guarentee

Post by **Orkney** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 6:47 pm

Course it would be unethical to steam the label off and sick it on an old one wouldnt it

Post by **rayofleamington** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 7:15 pm

Course it would be unethical to steam the label off and sick it on an old one wouldnt it

They unpeel very easily - however I've only done that to remove the Halfords logo from an otherwise nondescript looking black battery.

Post by **dalebrignall** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 5:51 pm

just thaught this might make you laugh, i put my expensive 4year gaurentee battery on last week,swapped cars over ran around in the mog for 3 days.i went back to the lock up jumpped in the saab nothing.i took the battery off and swapped it for a new one they said there were no faults on the battery just flat. put the battery on the saab drove home.then i had thaughts can there be anything draining the battery.the alarm has been bipping 4 times instead of 2 its been doing this for 3 weeks.it has done this before and rectified its self. the manual for the alarm said that 4 bips is the boot or the bonnet open. i went round to the boot and lifted it up.it was not secure this means that the boot light has been on for 3 days and i have been leaving my car unlocked for 3 weeks do i feel silly yes. i am going to get the altinator checked tomorrow just in case but i am sure that i have found the reason

Post by **Orkney** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 6:05 pm

Post by **MoggyTech** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 7:06 pm

Post by **bmcecosse** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 9:07 pm

Well - I did point that out on jan 13!
Also - was in Hellfrauds yesterday (bike mission - not car, they never have ANYTHING I need for cars) and noticed the price of their batteries ! WOW - Lottery winners only! Mate just got a new Bosch battery for his MGB, from Costco - expensive enough at £50, but a screaming bargain compared to Hellfrauds prices! On the other hand - their bike stuff seemed quite reasonable compared to private bike shops - but not when compared to internet of course!