Does this battery need replacing?
Discussion
When starting in the morning, it turns over maybe four times before the engine starts. If it's been running for 10-15 minutes, e.g. to the shops, it starts fine when I get back in it again. One morning the wipers had been left in the on position and there was clicking as the engine struggled to start and move the wipers at the same time.
It has been accidentally drained twice in the last year, if that could have affected its performance.
The fact it's okay soon after being driven for a little while makes me think it's not the starter or starter relay etc. Car, and presumably the battery, is 11 years old.
It's a Honda Jazz, could I replace the battery myself (no particular car skills but I can follow instructions) or is any cost saving not really worth it and I should just take it to a garage?
Ta,
It has been accidentally drained twice in the last year, if that could have affected its performance.
The fact it's okay soon after being driven for a little while makes me think it's not the starter or starter relay etc. Car, and presumably the battery, is 11 years old.
It's a Honda Jazz, could I replace the battery myself (no particular car skills but I can follow instructions) or is any cost saving not really worth it and I should just take it to a garage?
Ta,
Sounds like the battery is kaput. It's not difficult to change - but you do need your radio security code so you can sort that out when you reconnect the new battery.
Disconnet the earth terminal (black) first, then the positive terminal (red) second. Remove the battery, and inspect the leads for any corrosion. You can clean them up with a little bit of very fine grit sand paper, or a wire brush or something. Install your new battery (if in doubt about what to order, get a genuine honda part from cox honda, or else buy a Yuasa battery - your handbook will tell you the correct specification battery to buy), connecting the ositive terminal first then the negative. Do not bridge the terminals or you'll blow a fuse (or worse!) - so be carefull! nsure the battery retaining clamp is tight, and that the lead clamps on the battery terminals are tight, and you're done!
Disconnet the earth terminal (black) first, then the positive terminal (red) second. Remove the battery, and inspect the leads for any corrosion. You can clean them up with a little bit of very fine grit sand paper, or a wire brush or something. Install your new battery (if in doubt about what to order, get a genuine honda part from cox honda, or else buy a Yuasa battery - your handbook will tell you the correct specification battery to buy), connecting the ositive terminal first then the negative. Do not bridge the terminals or you'll blow a fuse (or worse!) - so be carefull! nsure the battery retaining clamp is tight, and that the lead clamps on the battery terminals are tight, and you're done!
Top instructional video here,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAi4GbRfvhs
(long as you have your radio code handy, no bother.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAi4GbRfvhs
(long as you have your radio code handy, no bother.)
Your battery is deeply discharged & due to your usage is staying deeply discharged.
Whilst I think you've had your money's worth out of it it might be worth fully charging it with a battery charger & seeing what happens.
You're not doing your alternator any favours either.
https://www.optimabatteries.com/en-us/experience/2...
Whilst I think you've had your money's worth out of it it might be worth fully charging it with a battery charger & seeing what happens.
You're not doing your alternator any favours either.
https://www.optimabatteries.com/en-us/experience/2...
ScotHill said:
Turns out it was a Halfords battery, not the original, but probably still around 6 years old. Just got Halfords to switch like for like for £85, done within the hour and didn't have to bother with checking specs or waiting for a delivery or messing around fitting it.
You likely in could have to a good battery for the price Halfords in will have charged for there in cheep stuff
Zad said:
It might be worth investing £5 on a cheap multimeter. Just to measure battery voltages when you need to, and to be sure the alternator is charging. You don't need to measure current, just watch the voltage as you give the engine a few revs. Always handy to have in the toolkit.
What signs would I be looking for with a healthy battery?Gassing Station | Home Mechanics | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff