Got car back from garage with a problem!

1. MickyWelsh172 Established Member Joined: May 2010 Sunderland Posts: 1966 Clio Sport 172

   #1 14th January 2012, 11:03

   I had my car in the garage getting some work done for MoT, and when i went to collect it, he told me the battery is fucked.
   
   Ive never had any problems with the battery, not even minor, so after i got home (15 minute drive) i left the car for 5 minutes, went to go back in it, and...
   
   

   • The Central Locking Doesnt Work
   • Car isnt even trying to tick over
   • But the cd player still works if i leave key in ignition

   
   Is this normal behavior from a car that needs a new battery, or is it something worse, immobilizer or similar?
   
   Thanks guys
2. elkoi Frequent Poster Joined: Oct 2010 Staffordshire Posts: 510 Red mk1 Vtr

   #2 14th January 2012, 11:10

   Sounds like your battery needs charging, maybe your alternator isnt charging your battery?
3. MickyWelsh172 Established Member Joined: May 2010 Sunderland Posts: 1966 Clio Sport 172

   #3 14th January 2012, 11:11

   Thanks, its just strange that its went from being fine, to not working at all?
   
   My theory is, hes left the lights on, or key in ignition, all night and forgot about it....
4. Manu Saxperience Addict Joined: Dec 2009 Posts: 11714 A6 Le Mans tuned/A3 TFSI tuned

   #4 14th January 2012, 11:14

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by MickyWelsh1984 My theory is, hes left the lights on, or key in ignition, all night and forgot about it....

   part of the MOT mate, they usually leave it with lights on. They only switch to engine on when they get onto testing the emissions. Doing so probably squeezed out the last bit of life from your battery by fully discharging it. Classic winter problem, most cars lose their batteries at that time of the year.
5. MickyWelsh172 Established Member Joined: May 2010 Sunderland Posts: 1966 Clio Sport 172

   #5 14th January 2012, 11:19

   So, when i put key in the ignition, and try to turn it over, a code pops up on the clocks, saying CC8 (Or similar)
   
   has anyone got an idea what thats all about?
   
   Thanks for the quick replies
   
   EDIT: Just found this post from the past
   
   http://www.saxperience.com/forum/sho...d.php?t=201554
   
   Hope thats all it is
6. user_20080 Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.

   #6 14th January 2012, 14:01

   Put your battery on charge mate then get the car started & check the charging rate etc.

   1 user thanked this post: tom_lloyd_4
7. MickyWelsh172 Established Member Joined: May 2010 Sunderland Posts: 1966 Clio Sport 172

   #7 14th January 2012, 14:20

   Ive got the battery on charge now, but how do i check the charging rate once its built up enough power?
   Thanks
8. user_20080 Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.

   #8 14th January 2012, 14:25

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by MickyWelsh1984 Ive got the battery on charge now, but how do i check the charging rate once its built up enough power? Thanks

   Easiest way is to take it to Halfords they`ll do a free check for you,just don`t be conned into buying 1 of their overpriced batteries mate.
9. MickyWelsh172 Established Member Joined: May 2010 Sunderland Posts: 1966 Clio Sport 172

   #9 14th January 2012, 14:31

   Ha, dont worry, i wasnt going to. Looked at Kwik Fit, £50 for new battery there, but im just worried that i get it started, get to Kwik Fit and then it doesnt start again, ha!
10. user_20080 Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.

    #10 14th January 2012, 15:02

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by MickyWelsh1984 Ha, dont worry, i wasnt going to. Looked at Kwik Fit, £50 for new battery there, but im just worried that i get it started, get to Kwik Fit and then it doesnt start again, ha!

    They`ll probs have a battery booster pack so don`t worry mate.
11. MickyWelsh172 Established Member Joined: May 2010 Sunderland Posts: 1966 Clio Sport 172

    #11 14th January 2012, 18:11

    Definitely need a new battery!
    
    Got a jump start from a friend of mine, left car running 20 minutes outside, then went for an hours drive, got home and turned engine off, tried it straight away, and there was fuck all there again!
    
    Gonna have to get a Halfords £67 whatever battery, gutted, cant wait till Monday, need it sorted by 6am Monday for work, lol.
12. tom_lloyd_4 Regular Poster Joined: Nov 2010 alton hampshire Posts: 348 97 mk1 vtr 85 LR 90

    #12 14th January 2012, 22:10

    if they have dun any welding work? they have probably cooked your alternator
13. MickyWelsh172 Established Member Joined: May 2010 Sunderland Posts: 1966 Clio Sport 172

    #13 14th January 2012, 22:12

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by tom_lloyd_4 if they have dun any welding work? they have probably cooked your alternator

    Yeah they done plenty of welding, both rear arches and passenger side chassis leg, so not really near the Alternator?
14. tom_lloyd_4 Regular Poster Joined: Nov 2010 alton hampshire Posts: 348 97 mk1 vtr 85 LR 90

    #14 15th January 2012, 07:58

    if you weld on a car without disconnecting the battery it can cause a surge in the system and it cooks the alternator so it wont charge when the car was running was the battery light on?
15. MickyWelsh172 Established Member Joined: May 2010 Sunderland Posts: 1966 Clio Sport 172

    #15 15th January 2012, 13:20

    No, the battery light has never came on?
    
    Ive put a new battery in, im just worried incase it dies in a couple of days time
    
    Would i have to pay a garage to do an alternator check?
16. user_36198 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Aug 2009 ilkeston derbyshire Posts: 9823 C2 VTR stripped, 406hdi, clio 172

    #16 15th January 2012, 13:56

    i wouldn't charge for a check, most motor factors will check charge rate free of charge
17. Chris_O Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Mar 2007 Kent Posts: 4175 RB25'd s14a + 2008 MWB Transit

    #17 15th January 2012, 14:28

    You can buy a voltmeter pretty cheap, probs somewhere still open now that will sell one. Check the battery with this before you start the car up and note the reading, probably be around 12-13 volts, then do the same with the car running. If the alternator is putting charge into the battery it should read high 13's/ 14
18. Nick_j_r Regular Poster Joined: Feb 2011 Ruthin North Wales Posts: 308 Saxo VTR, 205 CTI S16

    #18 15th January 2012, 14:51

    As above I bought my voltmeter off eBay for peanuts, works a treat
19. manta Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jun 2009 Jonathan Tonk's yard. Posts: 4232 '85 Opel Manta '88 Manta GT/E '87 Rayleigh Roadi

    #19 15th January 2012, 15:09

    Sounds to me like they didn't disconnect the battery.
    
    When I had some welding done on the old rot box sax my ginger welding buddy was adamant about disconnecting the battery first.
20. MickyWelsh172 Established Member Joined: May 2010 Sunderland Posts: 1966 Clio Sport 172

    #20 15th January 2012, 18:02

    But the guy who done it has been welding and shit for years, pretty sure he would know to disconnect it?
    
    And does it matter that the battery light has never once came on, is that not an indication that the alternator IS doing its job?
    
    Thanks
21. lhessey Infrequent Poster Joined: Dec 2011 Newport Posts: 207 Furio 1.4, mk2 VTR

    #21 15th January 2012, 18:08

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by MickyWelsh1984 Definitely need a new battery! Got a jump start from a friend of mine, left car running 20 minutes outside, then went for an hours drive, got home and turned engine off, tried it straight away, and there was fuck all there again! Gonna have to get a Halfords £67 whatever battery, gutted, cant wait till Monday, need it sorted by 6am Monday for work, lol.

    If the alternator was charging there should be atleast some juice in the battery after a drive that long.. i would do what everyone else is saying, check it with a voltmeter on the battery before and after starting.. should be more after you've started.
22. Simon0014 Established Member Joined: Aug 2010 Chippenham/Bristol Posts: 1892 1962 Austin Mini, BMW 330ci

    #22 16th January 2012, 13:08

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by MickyWelsh1984 But the guy who done it has been welding and shit for years, pretty sure he would know to disconnect it? And does it matter that the battery light has never once came on, is that not an indication that the alternator IS doing its job? Thanks

    If the alternator wasn't working the battery light should come on yes, but its french so you know anythings possible..as said get a voltmeter on it that will tell you what going on.
23. MickyWelsh172 Established Member Joined: May 2010 Sunderland Posts: 1966 Clio Sport 172

    #23 16th January 2012, 14:53

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Simon0014 If the alternator wasn't working the battery light should come on yes, but its french so you know anythings possible..as said get a voltmeter on it that will tell you what going on.

    Thanks for clearing that up mate, and yeah i will get a voltmeter soon.
    
    How long would a new battery last without an alternator?
24. Simon0014 Established Member Joined: Aug 2010 Chippenham/Bristol Posts: 1892 1962 Austin Mini, BMW 330ci

    #24 16th January 2012, 14:55

    I'm not too sure. If you are driving at night with lights on, headunit etc...not very long. You will soon know if its not charging mate.
25. MickyWelsh172 Established Member Joined: May 2010 Sunderland Posts: 1966 Clio Sport 172

    #25 18th January 2012, 15:29

    havent had the chance to get to a garage to check the battery, but its been fine all week, so hoping it was just the battery had ran dry!
26. Chris_O Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Mar 2007 Kent Posts: 4175 RB25'd s14a + 2008 MWB Transit

    #26 18th January 2012, 18:04

    Brand new battery on mine with a fucked alternator lasted about 3 hours of driving
27. NiffyVtr Newbie Joined: Aug 2011 limavady Posts: 26 black vts W67 AOS

    #27 18th January 2012, 18:33

    get a voltmetre and check its reading before hand then get someone to try and start the car and if drops below 11volts when turnin over the battery is no use..... and when the car is started and make sure its reading 13 14 volts..... by the sound of that i had the same problem it was the battery
28. user_49499 Infrequent Poster Joined: Jan 2011 bedford Posts: 104 diablo red 106 gti, focus st2 (330 club) :-)

    #28 18th January 2012, 23:03

    does the battery light come on when the ignition is on,
    i had one with no warning light coming on but wasn't charging, turns out the bulb had been removed to cover up the charging fault when my mate brought it.
29. MickyWelsh172 Established Member Joined: May 2010 Sunderland Posts: 1966 Clio Sport 172

    #29 19th January 2012, 05:53

    The battery light flashes up when i first start the car, for like 1-2 seconds, so it definitely works, but then goes straight off.
30. user_49499 Infrequent Poster Joined: Jan 2011 bedford Posts: 104 diablo red 106 gti, focus st2 (330 club) :-)

    #30 19th January 2012, 19:15

    if its going off i would assume the alternator is charging at or above 13v
    does seem as though battery may be at fault.
31. blackie_2k5 Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Oct 2008 Birtley Posts: 22253 VTR Turbo, 106 xsi track slag, Transit recovery, B

    #31 19th January 2012, 20:01

    its probs just a fucked battery, its been really cold the last few days, cold kills dodgey batteries
    
    just like the temp lad at my place on tuesaday, drove to work fine and the car wouldnt start when he went to go home
    
    its not uncommon
32. seddon89 Frequent Poster Joined: Jul 2010 gateshead Posts: 807 vw golf GTI citroen saxo forte 02 plate vw polo

    #32 19th January 2012, 22:24

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by MickyWelsh1984 But the guy who done it has been welding and shit for years, pretty sure he would know to disconnect it? And does it matter that the battery light has never once came on, is that not an indication that the alternator IS doing its job? Thanks

    thet aint set fire to the harness have they?