Sorry, more questions.

[robsco]

Took the car out on Monday night, its always really eager to start and turns over fine. Anyway, I washed the car this morning and then decided to go out in it. It was really slow to turn over and wouldn't fire. Left it, took the other car and thought it might start when I got back (my thoughts were that something might have got wet).

Anyway, same story again a couple of hours later, tried it a couple of times and the lights started flashing, hazards going off and the starter motor didn't turn over but sounded like it was spinning. Definitely battery. Jumped it off with the other car and left it running for a little while, took it round the block and then brought it back. I've been back to the car since and started it - it fired up fine but then slowly just died on 3 occasions - but it will still restart on the button.

Coincidence or linked? Battery is only 6 months old.

Thanks.

ETA - Possibly alternator?

[mat from preston]

I have had two new batteries in 3 years so I certainly wouldn't dismiss it because it's only six months old.

[Tanguero]

Sounds like the big fuse has gone thereby preventing the battery from being charged by the alternator. Simple job to replace it.

[gruffalo]

Tanguero said:

Sounds like the big fuse has gone thereby preventing the battery from being charged by the alternator. Simple job to replace it.

Sounds about right, that would explain the slow dying as you ran out of electricity as the battery was unable to power fuel pump and coil packs.

[robsco]

Update. Car started fine and ran this afternoon, all was good! Back to car to go out for the evening, only had enough charge to turn the car over once. Does that confirm big fuse?

[Tanguero]

The big fuse is simple to change and only costs pennies so it is worth doing it any way. It sounds like the most likely culprit to me. Change it and see if it solves the problem.

[robsco]

Cheers Tanguero. The only thing that makes me question is that the problem seems to be intermittent. But a fuse doesn't intermittently blow, its either broken or it isn't. Agreed though, I'll change it and see what happens (the one at the back of the block?).

[Tanguero]

I agree that the intermittent thing sounds less like a fuse issue, but I suspect that if you change the big fuse and put a spanner on the battery and alternator connections while you are there you will be a long way towards solving it.