Total Electrical Failure

[Molnboman]

Happy New Year to you all!

Right, first major issue with the Rav happened on New Years eve. Drove 25kms and it was -10c with no problems. Stopped and waited 5 - 10mins and had the headlights on and the radio for some of that time. When I turned the ignition over it was completly dead!...Had to jump start it and drove a few kms after that. Ever since the car has started from cold the last few days with no problems!....I would have thought that if the Battery was dead or on the way out....it wouldn't be holding a charge!...Tried to start this morning (+ 4c and damp )....car started first time.

Do you reckon I should accept it as a one off due to me having headlights on ( it was only a few minutes though! ) or buy a new Battery?

Cheers

A

[Big Kev]

Happy New Year to you all!

Right, first major issue with the Rav happened on New Years eve. Drove 25kms and it was -10c with no problems. Stopped and waited 5 - 10mins and had the headlights on and the radio for some of that time. When I turned the ignition over it was completly dead!...Had to jump start it and drove a few kms after that. Ever since the car has started from cold the last few days with no problems!....I would have thought that if the battery was dead or on the way out....it wouldn't be holding a charge!...Tried to start this morning (+ 4c and damp )....car started first time.

Do you reckon I should accept it as a one off due to me having headlights on ( it was only a few minutes though! ) or buy a new battery?

Cheers

A

Allan...just remind me....is yours a petrol or diesel? The original daft wee Battery in the 2.0 litre vvti only allowed me to have sidelights on for about 5 minutes before gubbering the Battery to totally flat !!!! If you have the same Battery on a petrol over there in Swedenshire'S TEMPERATURES, YOU BETTER ALWAYS MAKE SURE IT'S TICKING OVER WITH LIGHTS ON....excuse catapult letters and Happy New Year to you also too forbye...

Big Kev

[Molnboman]

Happy New Year to you all!

Right, first major issue with the Rav happened on New Years eve. Drove 25kms and it was -10c with no problems. Stopped and waited 5 - 10mins and had the headlights on and the radio for some of that time. When I turned the ignition over it was completly dead!...Had to jump start it and drove a few kms after that. Ever since the car has started from cold the last few days with no problems!....I would have thought that if the battery was dead or on the way out....it wouldn't be holding a charge!...Tried to start this morning (+ 4c and damp )....car started first time.

Do you reckon I should accept it as a one off due to me having headlights on ( it was only a few minutes though! ) or buy a new battery?

Cheers

A

Allan...just remind me....is yours a petrol or diesel? The original daft wee Battery in the 2.0 litre vvti only allowed me to have sidelights on for about 5 minutes before gubbering the Battery to totally flat !!!! If you have the same Battery on a petrol over there in Swedenshire'S TEMPERATURES, YOU BETTER ALWAYS MAKE SURE IT'S TICKING OVER WITH LIGHTS ON....excuse catapult letters and Happy New Year to you also too forbye...

Big Kev

No worries Kev and thanks for the reply. It's a petrol VVTI engine I have. Don't know how old the battery is or if it's standard, normally they use bigger batteries up here to cope with the cold weather, however. Am a bit concerened that the battery might not be healthy enough to handle the winter here, and the last thing I want to hear is my Mrs calling me to say the car won't start. Am I right in thinking that if this is happening then the only option is to buy a replacement battery?

A

[bothwell_buyer]

I have a similar problem with my RAVs if the lights are left on as I only have the wee batteries. I've learnt over the years to keep the engine ticking over if the lights need to be on - which also allows me body to keep warm !

If you are not sure, is there a garage/car accessory shop nearby that can test your Battery??? (Just for peace of mind?)

From what you say, the Battery is probably ok.

[pgp001]

I would pop into a garage and get them to load test it for you first.

However if you dont know its history, you might be better of playing safe and buying a new one.

It sounds like it might be on borrowed time.

Phil

[Big Kev]

Happy New Year to you all!

Right, first major issue with the Rav happened on New Years eve. Drove 25kms and it was -10c with no problems. Stopped and waited 5 - 10mins and had the headlights on and the radio for some of that time. When I turned the ignition over it was completly dead!...Had to jump start it and drove a few kms after that. Ever since the car has started from cold the last few days with no problems!....I would have thought that if the battery was dead or on the way out....it wouldn't be holding a charge!...Tried to start this morning (+ 4c and damp )....car started first time.

Do you reckon I should accept it as a one off due to me having headlights on ( it was only a few minutes though! ) or buy a new battery?

Cheers

A

Allan...just remind me....is yours a petrol or diesel? The original daft wee Battery in the 2.0 litre vvti only allowed me to have sidelights on for about 5 minutes before gubbering the Battery to totally flat !!!! If you have the same Battery on a petrol over there in Swedenshire'S TEMPERATURES, YOU BETTER ALWAYS MAKE SURE IT'S TICKING OVER WITH LIGHTS ON....excuse catapult letters and Happy New Year to you also too forbye...

Big Kev

No worries Kev and thanks for the reply. It's a petrol VVTI engine I have. Don't know how old the battery is or if it's standard, normally they use bigger batteries up here to cope with the cold weather, however. Am a bit concerened that the battery might not be healthy enough to handle the winter here, and the last thing I want to hear is my Mrs calling me to say the car won't start. Am I right in thinking that if this is happening then the only option is to buy a replacement battery?

A

Deffintootly would bin the battery, Allan, or at minimum get "drop tested" as has been referred to on here, which I know nothing of or who could do over here never mind in the land of Blonde Burds...

And if it does end up being the smaller size battery, would fit as large as the battery tray will addomocate.

Big Kev

[anchorman]

I'll bring my drop tester and show you Kev (if I remember!). Its this kind of thing but this one cannot create a spark so is very safe;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SEALEY-TOOLS-BT91-7-BATTERY-LOAD-DROP-TESTER-6V-12V-/190481212867?_trksid=p3284.m263&_trkparms=algo%3DSIC%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUCI%252BIA%252BUA%252BFICS%252BUFI%26otn%3D21%26pmod%3D290649982731%26ps%3D54

[Molnboman]

I will take it to my local garage later this week. I was due to give it an oil change anyway so they can check the Battery out at the same time.

Thanks for the feedback and just wanted to be sure that it wasn't anything common with this model.

If I can afford it, I will change the Battery anyway....they are 120quid a pop here!

Cheers

A

[bothwell_buyer]

In sunny Scotland, old car batteries are growing in value again so you can hand the old Battery into a scrap metal merchant for real money! I mean... why leave it for the dealer? As its your property, you don't need a Waste transfer licence.

[Molnboman]

Just a quick update on this....although the Battery appeared to be holding a charge....I took the Rav to Mr T's where they diagnosed it as goosed!.....so now 100 quid lighter I have a new Battery with a 2 year warranty!.....I also orderd the correct Battery cover / scuttle plate clips and they are sorted too!.......Well, since owning the car in October that is the first major expense. Can I just add that my diesel Zafira is curently in the garage under repair haven eaten it's second alternator!.....They wanted 600 quid for a replacement...part only.....so i ordered it for the UK...and it's being DHL's over to me next week. Once fitted that will bring the repair costs to the Zafira in 12months to close to five and a half grand sterling!......Am MOT'ing next month and sellin gthe %$(er!....NEVER NEVER NEVER will I ever purchase a Vauxhall / Opel diesel car!......With the money I get from the sale I will buy a Avensis or Honda accord and keep the Rav4 asmy second runabout and winter transport!

My experience of petrol Rav ownership has been positive thus far. I just wish I could get an extra 5 - 10 mile per gallon out of her! hahahaha

Cheers

A

[anchorman]

You'll get a bit more when the warmer weather comes.

Glad it is sorted!