Matt_C
Distinguished Member
Rover 200, 1.4 petrol, 1998-R
Been trouble free up until beginning of Dec (+/- a week or so), when I got in one day and the battery was dead. I hadn't left anything on such as the interior light or anything. The only things "on" when it's locked up are the dash clock and the alarm (stock factory alarm/immob), and a live to the stereo (but the stereo appears "off" as in no face lit etc - it's just the 12v live to keep the memory presets etc)
Jumped it, ran fine, started at the other end. Couple days later, dead again. And the cycle continues.
I only usually use it once or twice a week, and it does only do short journeys.
This week just gone I used it Friday (dead, needed jumping) then it was fine all evening (stopped and started it probably another 3 times). Used it Saturday morn (fine) and Saturday eve (fine also) then again Sunday (fine, although a little slow to turn at first). Just tried it now (half hour ago) and dead - dash lights flicker, starter "ticks" and thats that. Jumped it, ran it for a few mins, drove about a mile down the road, turned it off, got bread, came back, starts fine.
So I don't think it's the alternator not charging it because once it gets running it's fine for a day or two, but then it dies. Now I'm guessing it's showing this up because it's cold, and batteries don't liked cold weather. but I'm wondering if a) something unbeknown to me is draining it, b) it's just knackered and not holding charge (shouldn't be, was informed when I bought it in Aug it's a new battery) or c) it's just really drained and only got a tiny amount of charge in it.
So rectifications could be a) whats draining it? b) buy a new one c) charge it fully overnight and hope for the best?
B and C both require spending either <£70 on a batter or charger mind....
Been trouble free up until beginning of Dec (+/- a week or so), when I got in one day and the battery was dead. I hadn't left anything on such as the interior light or anything. The only things "on" when it's locked up are the dash clock and the alarm (stock factory alarm/immob), and a live to the stereo (but the stereo appears "off" as in no face lit etc - it's just the 12v live to keep the memory presets etc)
Jumped it, ran fine, started at the other end. Couple days later, dead again. And the cycle continues.
I only usually use it once or twice a week, and it does only do short journeys.
This week just gone I used it Friday (dead, needed jumping) then it was fine all evening (stopped and started it probably another 3 times). Used it Saturday morn (fine) and Saturday eve (fine also) then again Sunday (fine, although a little slow to turn at first). Just tried it now (half hour ago) and dead - dash lights flicker, starter "ticks" and thats that. Jumped it, ran it for a few mins, drove about a mile down the road, turned it off, got bread, came back, starts fine.
So I don't think it's the alternator not charging it because once it gets running it's fine for a day or two, but then it dies. Now I'm guessing it's showing this up because it's cold, and batteries don't liked cold weather. but I'm wondering if a) something unbeknown to me is draining it, b) it's just knackered and not holding charge (shouldn't be, was informed when I bought it in Aug it's a new battery) or c) it's just really drained and only got a tiny amount of charge in it.
So rectifications could be a) whats draining it? b) buy a new one c) charge it fully overnight and hope for the best?
B and C both require spending either <£70 on a batter or charger mind....