Battery dying or something else?

[Rob_W]

Went to start the car yesterday (after only a week without use), pump primed, solenoid pulled in but obviously very little charge left. Put it on the trickle charger/conditioner overnight and it showed full charge and measured 13.1 volts, car started and then showing 13.9 volts running. Went for a quick drive (only 15 miles) and still showing same voltages.

Any opinions as to whether this is (just) the battery getting to the end of it's life or something more significant?

Cheers

Rob

[markrichards]

Experiencing a similar problem. Drove the car to Wilton last weekend. Caught in heavy rain. Came to start the car yesterday and realised the door had been left slightly ajar (but still on the catch), and the battery was flat. RAC started it, charged it for 45mins off the van and it started on its own accord.

Came back to the car this morning and it primes, but there is insufficient charge to turn the engine over. WIll jump it again and drive it for an hour. Hoping it was simply not enough charge....

Assume otherwise that the battery needs to come out through the floor.

[Blu3R]

A quick clean up of the main earths (one onto the block too while you're at it) might give you a little piece of mind, but it sounds like a battery is the most likely culprit.

[joust]

Alas the Noble battery is a bit under spec and sits in a bit of a silly place heat wise, and hence if more than about a year old and you let it discharge you've generally knackered it.

You could try an Optimate or similar. Let it discharge and then connect it it will try and reverse the sulphation, but it's a bit hit and miss. Get a new Bosch Silver one, about 80-100 quid and much more up to the job.

J

[Rob_W]

joust said:

Alas the Noble battery is a bit under spec and sits in a bit of a silly place heat wise, and hence if more than about a year old and you let it discharge you've generally knackered it.

You could try an Optimate or similar. Let it discharge and then connect it it will try and reverse the sulphation, but it's a bit hit and miss. Get a new Bosch Silver one, about 80-100 quid and much more up to the job.

J

Hi Justin

Battery has always looked a bit shabby, have charged with my Ctek but will buy a Bosch Silver as I've had them in the past and been impressed.

Rob

[joust]

Make sure you put a decent bit of fibre glass heat shield around it as it's quite close to the fromt turbo. It was on there from new but many go missing.

[Rob_W]

Did that over the winter so all in good nick at the moment.