VW Beetle 2001, Battery Nightmare - Update

[TabathaAsks]

Hey All,

I posted a number of weeks ago regarding my VW Beetle 2001, 2.0. After fitting a new radio.... the battery seemed to drain down to nothing and it had to be jump started.

The new radio was taken out and I reverted back to the original. However, I have just gone out this morning and the battery is dead again. It's lasted for around 2 weeks this time without not starting which is much longer than before when the radio that was draining it was fitted.

I'm wondering if the battery is a bit useless now because it was drained so much and if I should just get to Halfords and get a new one.... maybe it wasn't the radio after all and its just that my battery is rubbish! Grrrrr so annoying.

Any pointers would be appreciated.

Thanks

[t400ble]

Get the battery tested, probaly is duff

Or, something is casuing a drain.

[TabathaAsks]

t400ble said:

Get the battery tested, probaly is duff

Or, something is casuing a drain.

Thanks for the reply,

Do you know if this is something Halfords do ? I.e can they check my current battery and look for a drain ? Or would i need to go to a proper mechanics?

Thanks!

[TooMany2cvs]

TabathaAsks said:

I'm wondering if the battery is a bit useless now because it was drained so much

Definitely. Lead-acid batteries do not like being flattened.

TabathaAsks said:

and if I should just get to Halfords and get a new one...

Well, not Halfrauds, but - yes.

Quick google suggests you want an 063 size, which you should be able to find for about £35ish delivered for offbrand, or £40ish for a decent brand.

[KevinCamaroSS]

Does the car have an alarm? Check the draw of power that needs.

[Haddock82]

Go to any garage and ask for a drop test on the battery

If they charge you any more then a tenner, if anything at all, then walk away (ask first!)

If you came to my place I'd do it for free

• edit, this will only tell you if the battery is duff, not if there is a drain

[TabathaAsks]

KevinCamaroSS said:

Does the car have an alarm? Check the draw of power that needs.

Hey , thanks for your reply.

Yes the car has an alarm and it seems to still be working and will sound off (Ive just tested it) . The car does come on when I turn the key , (like radio , dashboard lights etc) but it just won't start as there isn't enough power.

[TabathaAsks]

TooMany2cvs said:

Well, not Halfrauds, but - yes.

Quick google suggests you want an 063 size, which you should be able to find for about £35ish delivered for offbrand, or £40ish for a decent brand.

Thanks for your reply,

I was more thinking of Halfords due to needing to use the car today and they offer a quick service. I've had a good look online but it wouldn't get here until tomorrow grrr

[TabathaAsks]

Haddock82 said:

Go to any garage and ask for a drop test on the battery

If they charge you any more then a tenner, if anything at all, then walk away (ask first!)

If you came to my place I'd do it for free

• edit, this will only tell you if the battery is duff, not if there is a drain

Thanks for your reply, I;ll see if I can get the car jump started. Husband has gone out and all neighbours are out.

[t400ble]

Order from Euro Car parts and collect

[TabathaAsks]

t400ble said:

Order from Euro Car parts and collect

I've just seen those online and its a little further to go for me and is about the same price as halfords.

[Silverbullet767]

TabathaAsks said:

t400ble said:

Order from Euro Car parts and collect

I've just seen those online and its a little further to go for me and is about the same price as halfords.

There's always a discount code on the website, it's the DFS of the car world. Or you can copy paste the product code to carparts4less, it's owned by eurocarparts and is always cheaper after using their discount code.

[TabathaAsks]

Silverbullet767 said:

There's always a discount code on the website, it's the DFS of the car world. Or you can copy paste the product code to carparts4less, it's owned by eurocarparts and is always cheaper after using their discount code.

Thanks, I have found a decent bosch one on there but the discount code isn't working ! - Im using Voucherg35 , which seems to be the current discount code.

[Silverbullet767]

The codes FOOTY50 on ECP and CUP15 on CP4L

I'd use the product code from eurocarparts and search for it on carparts4less using the cup15 code.

[TabathaAsks]

Thanks managed that now It works out around £6 more expensive on Euro car parts but I can at least collect it. I don't think the other site allow collection.

[Lester H]

Make sure that all vanity mirror lights are off, ditto boot light and glove box. When you leave the car switch everything off ie heater, wipers etc. In theory ignition will do it, but don’t always trust it.Non standard alarms also a big no-no.. Hope it’s something basic like this.