VW Polo 6R 64 plate battery issue?

[BadgerSD]

So today I was stuck in town again (second time its happened) with what I assume was a low battery.. Let me explain each occasion quickly:

First time I dropped someone off and then after not finding any parking around I decided to go fill up the car to kill time. I got to the petrol station and didnt have my wallet so I parked up on the side put my hazard lights on and went in to see if they accepted Apple Pay. When I got back maybe 40 seconds later, i turned the ignition on and half a second after the lights came on they died and then would not come back on the next attempt to start my car. The hazards cut out and nothing would work, no radio central locking, windows, A/C etc. Then in the time it took for me to walk across the road to a mechanic, be told he's too busy to do anything other than help me push start it and then he ends up on the phone, I walked back to my car tried it one more time and it started fine.

Today I again dropped someone off then parked up and waited in my car, listening to some music with the bluetooth. Maybe 20-25 minutes later when I got the call to come pick the person up the same thing, the ignition came on up until the petrol dial rose to its point and then it died again, this time for 20-25 mins. I decided to wait a while before trying to start it again and after 20 minutes it came back.

Both times I had been using the radio, the first time whilst driving, but today whilst parked with the car off and both times I had to wait from 10-20 minutes before trying again. Nothing comes up on the dash and no electronics work. So what do I do next?

My old X reg POLO (2000) never had any issues with the radio being use whilst off but it was a 1.4 and my current car is a 64 reg 1.0. I doubt engine size has anything to do with it. Could I need a new battery due to voltage drops under stress?

Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated, I apologise if the above description was rambly I wanted to highlight everything I did just incase someone picks up on anything.

Thanks!

[Robby71]

Check battery leads first to make sure they're tight, then use a multi-meter to check the battery with ignition off then again with engine running - if you don't have a multi meter then Halfords, etc usually do a free battery check

[alexperkins]

I would take the car straight back to your dealer and task them to fix it. Sounds like there's a serious issue here.

[BadgerSD]

Argh.. Well I've only had it a month from a private seller and normally it works without any hiccups, been on the motorway and engine etc is perfect. I was thinking of getting a Full VW service done soon anyway to get anything sorted out and then there on I can maintain myself and do the annual checkup. (It didn't have a service history it was a bit of a cheap buy so I can put some of the money I saved towards it).

I do have a multimeter but I'm not very smart in using one, I'll have a look. Thanks guys!

Any other ideas?

[alexperkins]

It's possible the battery is duff or the alternator isn't charging the battery properly

[Robby71]

Argh.. Well I've only had it a month from a private seller and normally it works without any hiccups, been on the motorway and engine etc is perfect. I was thinking of getting a Full VW service done soon anyway to get anything sorted out and then there on I can maintain myself and do the annual checkup. (It didn't have a service history it was a bit of a cheap buy so I can put some of the money I saved towards it).

I do have a multimeter but I'm not very smart in using one, I'll have a look. Thanks guys!

Any other ideas?

Test the battery - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COJr7OB23Hw
Test the alternator - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGB6ZEjGm7Q

[RUM4MO]

Obviously need to check the battery with engine off then with engine running, but, if that battery or the charging is faulty, I would not expect it to suddenly recover and let you start the car etc. As suggested, as you have limited knowledge on car fixing, get it looked at before it costs you a lot of money by not restarting.

[BadgerSD]

Alright thanks guys I'll get it checked by a friend before paying someone to do it

thanks!

[Dink]

remember to check at the actual battery posts and also the clamps to make sure don't have any high resistance joints there.

[alexperkins]

If the car is a 64 plate it will still be under the VW three year warranty so it won't cost anything for them to look at and fix it

[BadgerSD]

If the car is a 64 plate it will still be under the VW three year warranty so it won't cost anything for them to look at and fix it

Oh right of course, thanks for reminding me lol

[RUM4MO]

If the car is a 64 plate it will still be under the VW three year warranty so it won't cost anything for them to look at and fix it

I'll need to look up the wording of this on wife's August 2015 Polo, I'd kind of expect that things change after the first 12 months, but I might be wrong - I don't mind being wrong about that BTW!

Edit:- my previous bought new VWs, a 2000 and a 2002 were imported by me so only came with the standard (back then) 12 months new car warranty - no dealer bought/added second year one.