Help re car battery

[Sadie]

Hi,

I am sure I need a new car battery, breakdown came and got me going but when car is sitting any length of time it is hard to start but OH away and I dont want to be ripped off at a garage so where can I buy a car battery in Nerja/Torrox area and approx what will I pay for it.

Thanks

[Enrique]

H Sadie,
"sitting any length of time"..............how long .. week........ month
Reason for asking if the car has alarm set even a good battery will go flat.
Is the "charging" light going out once the motor is started.

If you decide it's the battery..read of the info on the top.........i.e. 12v 50Ah 400A EN for typical petrol engine, .......12v 62Ah 600 EN for typical 2ltr Diesel . The higher the Ah rating the more it's going to cost. If you're DIY then look on the Poligono for an Agri store as they sell batteries. Picked up a 45Ah last week for 30 €.
Going to a Garage/ Battery place you will pay a lot more...there was a thread on Forum some time back.

You may need to input your radio code after the battery has been changed.

Added: viewtopic.php?f=36&t=18465&hilit=car+battery

[ajtg1952]

I have just bought 2 new batteries, one from Eroski; 65 Amps €55 and one from the Big Garage in Nerja; 110 amp, €120. If you are buying from a supermarket make sure the terminals are in the same location as the existing battery. The terminal positions vary. If you get one the "wrong" way round it may not fit as the wires are generally short in length.

[Mowser]

You may need to input your radio code after the battery has been changed.

Not at all! You'll find simple details here ...

http://www.tayna.co.uk/tutorials/change ... o-code.php

[Enrique]

Hi Mowser,
A very useful tip

But as Sadie's post says.......
"breakdown came and got me going" ......... that would indicate that she doesn't have any Jump leads.

"I am sure I need a new car battery"............that would indicate that she doesn't have a spare battery.

Radio code is in the vehicle docs........if you're lucky

[Julie]

It is a simple job to change battery, but you could look at the man next door in a helpless fashion, batteries should have the price on them in the supermarket, make sure you buy one to match your engine type, but the stronger the better, although in Spain I don't think it matters the same as in the colder places.

[Sadie]

Hi Everyone thank you for replies.

Enrique, Up until Wednesday no problems at all and then was sitting for two days and it didn't start without breakdown on Friday, yesterday and today only just started with a struggle and I had done an airport trip yesterday so it had a good run.

Thanks for tips on getting new batttery I will be sure and check size and fittings before I go to get one.

[Sadie]

Mowser thank you for that tip but I dont have leads or a spare battery but will keep in mind for future.

[julian]

before buying a new battery it may be worth checking that the prolem really is the battery and not that the battery is not getting charged properly

[Julie]

If the battery isn't charging properly because of the alternator or fan belt, then the red ignition light lwill be lit up.

[Enrique]

Hi,
A quick way to check............this evening when dark turn head lights on , from what you have said they will appear "yellow" , start the engine and increase the revs above tick over and the lights will appear the normal white if its charging ok.
You have not said the charging light is staying on with the engine running.
As a rule I would change the battery after 4 years anyway, ok people out there will say they have had the same one for 8 years, but when you live up a mountain its good to have a vehicle that starts first time every time.

[Sadie]

No warning lights on at all but I think I may have found a problem, when I went just now and looked at battery size etc I found that the connection that connects the leads was loose and turning and was sooty like so cleaned that and tightened up the connection again and car started better but a little lumpy like but that may be due to not getting proper charge as was loose, am I right to think that or am I being dumb?

[Enrique]

Hi Sadie,
Could have saved yourself a payout
Vaseline on the terminals will help to keep the the white furry stuff away, but it sounds like an old neglected battery.

Check the tension on the alternator drive belt, if its really flappy then get that tensioned up .

See how things go , but don't go spending out on a new dress yet

[Mowser]

Vaseline on the terminals will help to keep the the white furry stuff away, but it sounds like an old neglected battery.

But if there are rubber protectors on top of the terminals, the Vaseline will rot it.

[Enrique]

Hi Mowser,
Normally you would smear onto the battery posts and inside of the connectors, its usual for only the + to have protecting cover.
Sorry about deriding you on a previous post I should have had posted some "tongue in cheek" smilies

Its a good tip if you have the kit

[Mowser]

Enrique

Sorry about deriding you on a previous post

I wasn't aware of it! If it was about my pathetic attempts to get J@ck TV, then fair enough.

[Sadie]

Hi Sadie,
Could have saved yourself a payout

See how things go , but don't go spending out on a new dress yet

.

Oh glad I didn't splash out on that new dress, definately needed new battery got one from Eroski good price and they had chart to ensure had right one for my car. Problem solved.

[Julie]

Great news free as a bird again