Battery issue
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 299
Likes: 0
From: Bahrain
Battery issue
To some this is probably a dumb question.
Normally I disconnect the battery if I'm away for a couple of weeks, this time I forgot and it was dead flat.
I put the charger on low for 24 hours but would only charge to 10 volts, not enough to get the car going.
The battery was only 8 months old but I figured it was my fault so did'nt go the warranty route. Fitted a new battery and all ok now.
What would be the issue here? I thought batteries could be recharged from zero without a problem.
Normally I disconnect the battery if I'm away for a couple of weeks, this time I forgot and it was dead flat.
I put the charger on low for 24 hours but would only charge to 10 volts, not enough to get the car going.
The battery was only 8 months old but I figured it was my fault so did'nt go the warranty route. Fitted a new battery and all ok now.
What would be the issue here? I thought batteries could be recharged from zero without a problem.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11,768
Likes: 175
From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
It's always possible that you had bad battery.
I would have taken it in for warranty replacement.
With that said, a new battery should be able to be left connected for 2-3 weeks without any issues at all.
If your battery is "dead" after that amount of time, you have a pretty large current draw causing it.
Maybe a hood light, console light, etc. staying on.
You shouldn't have to disconnect your battery.
My car has sat for as long 5 weeks without being driven, and no issues at all starting it.
If your going to let it sit for extended periods, a battery tender is a good option.
I would have taken it in for warranty replacement.
With that said, a new battery should be able to be left connected for 2-3 weeks without any issues at all.
If your battery is "dead" after that amount of time, you have a pretty large current draw causing it.
Maybe a hood light, console light, etc. staying on.
You shouldn't have to disconnect your battery.
My car has sat for as long 5 weeks without being driven, and no issues at all starting it.
If your going to let it sit for extended periods, a battery tender is a good option.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,314
Likes: 508
From: South-central Missouri
It's always possible that you had bad battery.
I would have taken it in for warranty replacement.
With that said, a new battery should be able to be left connected for 2-3 weeks without any issues at all.
If your battery is "dead" after that amount of time, you have a pretty large current draw causing it.
Maybe a hood light, console light, etc. staying on.
You shouldn't have to disconnect your battery.
My car has sat for as long 5 weeks without being driven, and no issues at all starting it.
If your going to let it sit for extended periods, a battery tender is a good option.
I would have taken it in for warranty replacement.
With that said, a new battery should be able to be left connected for 2-3 weeks without any issues at all.
If your battery is "dead" after that amount of time, you have a pretty large current draw causing it.
Maybe a hood light, console light, etc. staying on.
You shouldn't have to disconnect your battery.
My car has sat for as long 5 weeks without being driven, and no issues at all starting it.
If your going to let it sit for extended periods, a battery tender is a good option.
100%, every word.
P.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
From: Wentzville MO
If your battery actually goes to zero volts (actually below 10 volts), it is dead with little or no possibility of bringing it back to life. Before you buy a new battery, you need to find out why it is discharging.
