Battery life

11th December 2010, 19:25

I have a problem that my battery on my saxo dies very quickly. Its a recently new battery, as the other died alot aswell so thought it needed a new one. But basicly, on the new one the same thing happens. I can go out in the morning, i find i need to jump start it. So i do that, its fine all while driving around but then later that night its dead again. Would this mean i need a new alternator by any chance? or maybe its being drained by another source? Thanks in advance for any help

11th December 2010, 20:04

Get your alternator tested sounds like either this is causing a current drain or you have some other electrical device causing this such as the radio etc.

Steve.

11th December 2010, 20:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevo67

Get your alternator tested sounds like either this is causing a current drain or you have some other electrical device causing this such as the radio etc.

Steve.

Ok cheers mate, i will take my stereo out to start with see what that does as i can do that myself. If that doesnt work ill get the alternator tested, do i just take it to a normal garage for that?

11th December 2010, 20:52

Halfords test them for nowt..

Or just put a multimeter on it with your engine running... it should be ~14.4volts.

What brand + where did you get your battery from?

12th December 2010, 21:45

Check current drain with multimeter set to "AMPS". Take off the battery earth and put red wire of meter to batt neg and the black wire to earth/car body. If any current is draining it will show here. Do not operate any electrical devices while doing this, most meters are not built to handle a decent amount of current and you might knacker it.

You will get slight drain due to alarm/imob/clock/radio memory etc though. IIRC mine drains at about 0.3 Amp. Also check this video out, it is probably easier than reading my post!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFCT-YZbU5o