Battery Question
Discussion
When my car was at the garage it lost lots of battery charge, mainly due to the doors and boot being open but it wasn't being driven anywhere.
When I first got it back I noticed that it was a little sluggish when starting and that the doors and windows weren't operating properly. After a 160 mile round trip and then couple of days left on the trickle charge and it was back to normal. I took it for a short trip yesterday and it died completely and had to be jump-started.
It is back on the trickle charge again, the question is, is my battery knackered? Is there something else I should be doing?
When I first got it back I noticed that it was a little sluggish when starting and that the doors and windows weren't operating properly. After a 160 mile round trip and then couple of days left on the trickle charge and it was back to normal. I took it for a short trip yesterday and it died completely and had to be jump-started.
It is back on the trickle charge again, the question is, is my battery knackered? Is there something else I should be doing?
Hi Jo 
The battery on my Chimaera died without warning when 3 years old. One day it was perfect after the Back Home treasure hunt of 70 miles. Next day, dead as a DoDo. Do make sure that if you buy a replacement - you get one with a 630A cold crank capacity as fitted by TVR. Infact, to save the hassle of shopping around, I'd go straight to your dealer as they are usually competitive and you get the right thing.
The other thing to check is that your earth lead is behaving itself. This can give the appearance of a duff battery as the current just can't get out of the battery to get you started. If your battery is 3+ years old though - it will be a good idea to change it to stop you from an inconvenient breakdown in the future.
Let us know what happens!
P.S. I changed my battery recently - so if you need a spare one to test things out you are welcome to it - I'm only in Halifax !!
>> Edited by TUS 373 on Wednesday 3rd December 22:54
The other thing to check is that your earth lead is behaving itself. This can give the appearance of a duff battery as the current just can't get out of the battery to get you started. If your battery is 3+ years old though - it will be a good idea to change it to stop you from an inconvenient breakdown in the future.
Let us know what happens!
P.S. I changed my battery recently - so if you need a spare one to test things out you are welcome to it - I'm only in Halifax !!
>> Edited by TUS 373 on Wednesday 3rd December 22:54
TUS 373 said:
The battery on my Chimaera died without warning when 3 years old. One day it was perfect after the Back Home treasure hunt of 70 miles. Next day, dead as a DoDo. Do make sure that if you buy a replacement - you get one with a 630A cold crank capacity as fitted by TVR. Infact, to save the hassle of shopping around, I'd go straight to your dealer as they are usually competitive and you get the right thing.
The other thing to check is that your earth lead is behaving itself. This can give the appearance of a duff battery as the current just can't get out of the battery to get you started. If your battery is 3+ years old though - it will be a good idea to change it to stop you from an inconvenient breakdown in the future.
Let us know what happens!
P.S. I changed my battery recently - so if you need a spare one to test things out you are welcome to it - I'm only in Halifax !!
Thanks for the offer!
Would you belive it, it's running like a dream again today.
TVRS! 
The battery on a Tuscan is behind the passenger side wheel and right next to the catalysts with 1 sheet of heat resistant material between it and the cats.
So it gets cooked badly, if you get it to last 3 years you've done very well, mine laster just over a year and was bowed on the end where the heat had softened the plastic casing.
Also the aftermarket alarm fitted has a huge drain compared to OEM parts, mine was taking 45mA when it settled after a minute or so, OEM alarms have to take less than 1mA.
I'd bet diamonds it's knackered, and I'd be getting changed tomorrow before it leaves you somewhere.
So it gets cooked badly, if you get it to last 3 years you've done very well, mine laster just over a year and was bowed on the end where the heat had softened the plastic casing.
Also the aftermarket alarm fitted has a huge drain compared to OEM parts, mine was taking 45mA when it settled after a minute or so, OEM alarms have to take less than 1mA.
I'd bet diamonds it's knackered, and I'd be getting changed tomorrow before it leaves you somewhere.
Had my battery changed yesterday as was no longer holding charge and was all melted at the back although after 3+ years I thorght it had done quiet well until I looked at the date of manufacture week 14 2001, so how that ended up in my 2000 Tuscan I don't know, maybe I got Berties old one!
Nick
Nick
Having mine replaced tomorrow after the car failed to start again after the last RAC visit
must have something to do with the cold weather, battery was probably not great but the cold just finished it off.
Was told around thirty five quid for the battery?(sounds good)Apparently Vauxhall make them now.
>> Edited by singh on Thursday 11th December 19:33
must have something to do with the cold weather, battery was probably not great but the cold just finished it off. Was told around thirty five quid for the battery?(sounds good)Apparently Vauxhall make them now.
>> Edited by singh on Thursday 11th December 19:33
singh said:
Having mine replaced tomorrow after the car failed to start again after the last RAC visit
Was told around thirty five quid for the battery?(sounds good)Apparently Vauxhall make them now.
>> Edited by singh on Thursday 11th December 19:33
I would make sure it is of the correct cranking current for that price should be 630 Amps, mine was replaced by a 540 Amp crank current one and it's not quiet up to the job in cold conditions IMO so need's to be changed again for the correct type.
Nick
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