flat battery...

[Andy Allen]

just been out to start the van, batteries as flat as a pancake.......its soooooooooo cold here, just put it on charge, hope it works or its new battery time!!!

any one ele's got van probs due to the cold snap...

 

[Gazzer]

Just get a new battery, I sufferered last year but a new battery sorted it all out.

 

[Gazzer]

Oh a little tip that got me started now and again was tip hot water over the engine and battery...worked more often than not.

 

[Andy Allen]

do they not hold there charge then, once they gone flat?..

 

[Sean Kelly]

My Wife's car battery died the other day. I put it on charge for about 2 hours........tried to start it and it was still dead. I put it on charge for about 5 hours, and still no joy. I then jump started it from my car and it worked. I think the problem was that I was trying to charge the battery whilst it was still in the car. Obviously the temperature was freezing outside, and that's why the battery charger failed to do it's job. So if you can get a jump start it might just work. Cheers Sean

 

[Del W]

It will hold its charge,but not aswell.

 

[Del W]

Oh a little tip that got me started now and again was tip hot water over the engine and battery...worked more often than not.

Its really not a good idea to pour hot water on a cold engine.you might crack it with these sub zero temps.

 

[Gazzer]

Its really not a good idea to pour hot water on a cold engine.you might crack it with these sub zero temps.

Funny, AA man gave me that info.

 

[Stewart]

I would get a new battery, as one that has gone flat over night isn't working properly, no matter how cold it is! In saying that, it could also be due to your alternator not charging the battery properly.

 

[Andy Allen]

battery works fine when its warmer, but as soon as it drops below freezing, it struggles to start the van...

 

[Del W]

Funny, AA man gave me that info.

Hope he didnt also say pour hot water on your windscreen to defrost it

 

[Gazzer]

battery works fine when its warmer, but as soon as it drops below freezing, it struggles to start the van...

As said before best replace it could let you down in a remote area , in these temps you wouldnt want that.

 

[Gazzer]

Hope he didnt also say pour hot water on your windscreen to defrost it

Lol No but my neighbour uses that method all the time and it hasn't cracked yet ! the moment it does crack though there will be hot water running down my leg :lol:

 

[Fliselege]

My old Mazda needed 2 batteries in 3 years, hardly surprising when it's minus 30 in Jan & Feb here. My current Toyota has an engine warmer, little plug hole in bumper connects to mains, which heats up a kettle like element on the sump plug, also connected to it is a 240v socket in the car for a low wattage cabin heater. Have to put a silicone soloution in all door rubbers too or they freeze weld to eachother and get ripped to shreds. As a child I lived in Saudi Arabia, in my 20's I was a barman in Greece for a season. I love the sun. I feel like I've been short changed moving here!!! What a mug.

 

[Stewart]

Changed the battery in my van last year at the first signs that it was struggling. Best £130 I could have spent knowing my van will start when I turn the key!

 

[Andy Allen]

i will see what its like tommoz when i take it off charge, if its still struggling, i'll get a new battery...

i got full A.A cover so will never be straned...

 

[Perry]

just had to get a new one for my car £96 inc :yikes: from cosco they tell me that's a good price and had to bump the wife's car in the last few days and a new tyre for hers today £200 :yikes: puncher its a run-flat so couldn't repair it

 

[Deleted member 9966]

I heard on Radio 2 yesterday morning that one driver couldn't move his car because although it started no problems, the gear box was frozen :yikes:

hubby and I loved our Volvo C30 we used to have. it had been designed with cold weather in mind and started even in the -10C of the past couple of winters :yesnod: I shall dream of a new Volvo....

 

[DHTiling]

If you do change the battery , also go and get the alternator checked that it is supplying enough charge to the battery..

 

[nybor62]

i all ways pour warm water on my screen not hot , done this for years never has a crack screen , touch wood

 

[Stef]

As stewart n dave,

I would be getting the alternator checked, if its not charging your battery enough then a new battery wont last long either.

 

[Perry]

i had mine checked before i changed mine :8:

 

[Mike]

sometimes the battery needs a good charge due to getting hammered this time of year especially on short journeys, starting up in the morning, lights and wipers and demister on, then parked up all day and same thing at home time. i work close to home most of the time so i got to leave my van running on the drive for a bit or take it for a spin to charge it every few days