Battery on way out?

[stuart313]

Focus 1.6 TDCI, 7 years old, probably original battery. Seems to be turning over slower if left overnight when its cold, but the strange thing is, when its trying to start the headlamps glow (only noticed in the dark) slightly, the light switch is in the off position when this is happening. Never noticed it happening before when it was starting normally, I think the alternator is charging - no battery light and seems to recover after a run.

Just strange about the headlamps, although I know this cold weather can kill a battery.

Any pointers?

[BFG TERRANO]

When a battery is on it's way out it can play the electrics up. Jump it from a running car and see if it does it.

[anonymous-user]

Mine was doing weird things on cold mornings. New battery @£55 & sorted...

[KungFuPanda]

Get on Eurocarparts. Crappy Lion battery around £50 or decent Bosch S5 with 5 year warranty £86.

[Nuttah]

Sounds like the battery is on its way out, especially if it recovers slightly after a run that suggests the alternator is indeed charging. I would just go ahead and pick up one from halfords one thing they are good for is decently priced batteries. If you can get your hands on a multimeter just to check the alt is charging that would be worth while but sounds like just and old battery and the cold weathers finally finishing it off.

[Vaud]

What run is it getting every day? Cold starting, short runs and heavier load (lights, etc) with highlight a fading battery.

[Jimmyarm]

Don't get a halfords battery, get a decent Bosch one.

If you have a multimeter, you can test the battery when you try to start it first thing by observing the voltage when cranking, off the top of my head it shouldn't go below 9.5 ish on a decent battery but this varies with the battery spec and temperature.

[J4CKO]

Mine was doing this, was going to replace it but just stuck my trickle charger on it for a couple of days, been a month or so now and it's started fine, I think it is because it does short journeys and starting it, takes more out than gets put back in over the trip, over time this depletes the battery.

[imagineifyeswill]

Battery could well be on its way out, wouldnt worry about the lights, electrics on modern cars do all mannner of strange things when battery voltage is low.