Time To Replace Battery?

[redlew]

The car is four and half years old and has always started first time even when left for over a week. Came back yesterday after a weeks holiday to find Battery almost flat and unable to start car. I am as confiedent as I can be that no lights (especially the interior light) were left on nor that any other current draining devices were on.

Do people recommend that I just shrug shoulders , accept that nothing lasts for ever and get a new Battery fitted or should I be thinking "This can't be right -I need to have the electrics looked at".

Problem is that today is Sunday and I need a working car on Monday.

Thanks

[bothwell_buyer]

I'd tend to jump start the car (or remove the battery) and get it tested at a local accessory shop. Chances are with the recent cold weather that the Battery has seen its best days.

On the other hand, you should check that the terminal connections are clean and free from corrosion + tight on the terminal. If its even a wee bit loose, a slack terminal can prevent the start-up current from getting to the starter....like wot happened to our forklift recently.

[redlew]

Update -jump started and Battery tested. It is ok. Person said that batteries lasted between 5 and 7 years in his experience. Reckons that the cold weather won't have helped. Fingers crossed that with daily usage it will be ok.

[parky1968]

Had a Battery issue with friends car recently - local Battery specialist shop suggested that he charged the Battery, as running the car does not do the same as giving it a proper charge Hope this is of some help to you?

[IanXT4]

I had problems with my Battery at roughly the same age as yours.

It was fine if you used the car every day, but it was very sluggish in the cold after not using the car for 2-3 days.

I am not impressed with the standard spec of batteries on the RAV 4.2 it's a bit on the small size.

(It's not financially viable to increase its size is the same space, high capacity AGM batteries although same size are £100's)

Plus point is that a same size replacement from a motor factor is under fifty quid, so I changed it for guaranteed starting.

Ian

[igormus]

The car is four and half years old and has always started first time even when left for over a week. Came back yesterday after a weeks holiday to find battery almost flat and unable to start car. I am as confiedent as I can be that no lights (especially the interior light) were left on nor that any other current draining devices were on.

Do people recommend that I just shrug shoulders , accept that nothing lasts for ever and get a new battery fitted or should I be thinking "This can't be right -I need to have the electrics looked at".

Problem is that today is Sunday and I need a working car on Monday.

Thanks

hi redlew

i know what do you think with Battery due to mine was changed recently even the blue circled indicator shown that it has full charge.

do not hope on this Battery anylonger but buy new one. now you have to apply a jump starting or charging unit. Cheers/Igor

[redlew]

I have looked into a solar charger that you can leave on the dashboard but the cigarette lighter isn't live when the ignition is not on - another cunning plan foiled .