GTI battery keeps going flat

Grapo · Post by **Grapo** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 3:48 pm

Hi,

To cut a long story short I moved down to Cornwall to do a masters degree in September. I barely use my car anymore, maybe once or twice a week for very short journeys. The car wouldnt start a few months ago and it appeared the battery was flat. Had Greenflag come and give it a boost and it was up and running again. Thought nothing of it really.

Well its just happened again. Went out to my car and it wont start. Will have to ring Greenflag again and probably go and get the battery tested. The alternator was fine last time and the battery was charging so if the battery has no apparent faults what else would cause it to go flat or for the car not to start?

Cheers

G

whitegtipolo · Post by **whitegtipolo** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 6:33 pm

I work for the AA and when we attend flat batteries we run it up see how much amps the battery is taking and test the alternator, check for a drain when the vehicle is all locked up, then do a battery test! Did the green flag not do this???

Also once a battery has drained and is left for a long time discharged for a week or so, the car wont bring them back up, often a pulse bench charger can break the deposits in the battery down and bring them back! #

Boost the car charge it for 10mins on idle, them unplug the coilpacks and turn over the engine for 15sec! If you can get hold of a multi meter, the battery should hold say 10volts when cranking and not drop below 9volts for the 15seconds! If it drops or slows right down you need a new battery!

Hope this helps!!

Chris

Grapo · Post by **Grapo** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 7:41 pm

No the guy from Greenflag didnt do those tests last time. I will ask them to tomorrow.

Cheers for the info, might be back with some more questions soons.

whitegtipolo · Post by **whitegtipolo** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 9:33 pm

ok ask em to do a full battery test , otherwise of they dont check it you will just keep calling them out! Sorry to say this but you get what you pay for and the AA are the best! If you wanna join i can get you some good deals on membership

POLOZ · Post by **POLOZ** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 10:24 pm

whitegtipolo wrote:ok ask em to do a full battery test , otherwise of they dont check it you will just keep calling them out! Sorry to say this but you get what you pay for and the AA are the best! If you wanna join i can get you some good deals on membership

As whitegtipolo said AA are the best.....
Fortunately since my dad has been a member with them for a while, I was able to get on the memebership for only TENNER that is whole year.....

Jeff GTi · Post by **Jeff GTi** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 10:52 pm

dont suppose you have an aftermarket radio or something and are running it from a perm live instead of an ignition live are you?

as over a few weeks this will drain drain drain your battery

Grapo · Post by **Grapo** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 3:21 pm

Had the battery tested and it was fine. Alternator was also charging it fine. The Greenflag guy didnt have the equipment to test what is running off the battery when the engine is off and I havnt the time to visit an auto electrician at the moment. I have unplugged my aftermarket stereo so will see if this is the cause. Cheers all.