Battery suddenly died

[carterc_ae]

My battery died suddenly on Friday, it now won't hold a charge for more than an hour or so (now having to start the car with a portable jump start pack every time). Charging circuit is OK.

The excellent people at Amethyst Cheltenham (the supplying dealer) have a battery in stock, correct rating and the right one for the Alhambra TDI130, getting it fitted at the weekend (thanks very much Phil Davies, sales manager).


So, two things:

1. Check your battery regularly, I'm told that maintence free lead acid batteries will become unrecoverable if they fall to just 75% charge. Get a free battery check at any battery stockist, but MAKE SURE they use a resistor and load the battery down - two muppets, incuding the AA, both used an ammeter which told them it was 'OK' - it would be, after immediately switching off the engine.

It seems that a few cool (not even cold) nights were enough to kill mine off.


2. Do any of these codes give a clue to the battery manufacture date (Exide brand), just in case it is significantly older than the car:

1JO915105AG
YM2110655DA


So, winter motoring in a diesel = aux heater on most mornings and straining batteries - anything else?


Chris

[micky 32]

how old was battery? Did it fail over night ? or during the day after it was driven?

[carterc_ae]

Car is 15 months old, I was wondering if the battery was significantly older. It was so dead on Friday morning, even the clock & dash lights did not work.

Does anyone understand the battery date codes listed in my first post?

[micky 32]

a plate must have broke in the battery for it to die like that! Did you look for a date on the battery? A battery is usually about 3 months old when you buy a new car.