Dead(ish) battery

Dead(ish) battery

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Discussion

Stablinski

Original Poster:

78 posts

139 months

Monday 30th December 2024
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Bought my 2023 as an ex-demo, not quite one year old in September and just less than 2000 miles, IIRC. Apart from a few niggles which will be booked in for warranty work, I’ve had no major issues.

A couple of weeks back, I got into the car and pressed start only to be met with a clicking noise. Tried a couple more times and it was evident that whatever power was getting to the car (dash was illuminated), was diminishing. I also had a brake malfunction warning. I suspected dead battery even though the car has a ten mile run each way, mainly on dual carriageway - plus often a blast at lunchtime - every day and hadn’t cause any issues prior.

I called Alpine recovery and they sent a lovely RAC chap who was with me in less than half an hour. He did some tests and my battery was depleted though not fully empty - nothing had been left on. After charging it up a bit, the battery reading was reading as ‘good’. However, he installed a new battery under warranty after opining that my battery was probably marginal at best and the increased draw over the autumn and early winter had left it with no reserve.

Anyway, was all sorted very quickly and efficiently and no problems since. Just writing this post to add to the existing knowledge base.

Miserablegit

4,275 posts

123 months

Wednesday 1st January
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I suggest you get a plug in voltmeter for the 12v socket to check your alternator is charging - there have been issues with alternators.


bimsb6

8,424 posts

235 months

Wednesday 1st January
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Miserablegit said:
I suggest you get a plug in voltmeter for the 12v socket to check your alternator is charging - there have been issues with alternators.
Surely if the issue was a charging faut it would throw up a light on the dash ? And you would hope the rac person would have checked the output .

Iceblue

138 posts

45 months

Wednesday 1st January
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Battery could have been left depleted and not charged at the dealership if it wasn't in constant use doesn't take long for a battery to be ruined in this way.

Stablinski

Original Poster:

78 posts

139 months

Wednesday 1st January
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Yes, that was my thought too. Happened to an ex demo X5 I bought which had basically been sitting around doing nothing during the first lockdown.

Miserablegit

4,275 posts

123 months

Thursday 2nd January
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bimsb6 said:
Surely if the issue was a charging faut it would throw up a light on the dash ? And you would hope the rac person would have checked the output .
That would be the obvious thing to have but I assure you there is no “light on the dash” for charging faults…progress, apparently!
I know from bitter experience

Teatowell

1,493 posts

197 months

Friday 3rd January
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Did it happen to be cold? The original battery on mine gave up recently. Fairly easy to replace with a few screws and trim pieces.