Forum Topic

Car battery flat:( any kind souls?

Hi there, my second hand Mazda 6 has just conked out on the driveway downstairs, at deneburst gardens (right behind the Red Lion and pineapple pub).Is there any one staying close by who could help me jump start my car? I would be really really really really grateful. Thought I had it covered by my insurances recovery team till I found out it only covers my car if it is ONE mile away from home. -.-

Ethan Goh ● 5157d16 Comments

Halford's are just over the road from you, they should be able to help.

Dave Hughes ● 5157d

Theres a garage at the end of Denehurst Gds !

Roger Foreman ● 5157d

yes i do know about the Halfords, but i just haven't inquired about the costs for getting it towed there...was just being optimistic and thought i'd try my luck first on this forum to see if by chance any one stayed maybe right along the street who had a jump start kit! (first week here and haven't really gotten to know the neighbours)would buy a coffee/beer/gladly return a favour one day/pay a favour forward to someone else!

Ethan Goh ● 5157d

Ethan,PM me with your contact no.and I will be able to give you a hand.Remember to put something in the subject box or it won't get through.Click on my name to send the email.

Keith Iddon ● 5157d

I wouldn't be able to jump start your car.If it's DEFINATELY a flat battery, and you have the time, I have a battery recharger I can lend you. You'd need to whip battery out, take to your flat, hook up to recharger and plug into a wall socket. And wait for an hour or so, and then put battery back in your car. It's designed for smaller end car batteries rather than big saloon car batteries.I bought mine from Halfords years ago. PM me your mobile number if you're interested in trying this. Off to Morrisons shortly... All risks with you... Otherwise try Knights (car mechanics off Horn Lane I've been using over 10 years), they dont generally do call outs but the car mechanic there (Paul) has a super dooper portable battery charger so should get you going on the spot else help diagnose your problem. 0208 992 2655.

S Bradford ● 5157d

If you are recharging an old battery it is a good idea to buy some battery tablets and put them in the cells of the battery.They help remove any deposits on the cells and aid the charging process.They are about 2-3 quid I think.You can still email me btw as I have jump leads but you had better hurry as I am going out in 30 mins.

Keith Iddon ● 5157d

Save yourself a lot of time and trouble.  Buy a new battery.

Dee Cook ● 5157d

New battery shouldn't be needed for ages if you recharge it properly.

Keith Iddon ● 5157d

Did you ever get yr car started?!?

Roger Foreman ● 5157d

Hi Ethan,It occured to me it's very unusual for a battery to go flat in the summer months, unless you've left your lights on over night, or left the car standing for a few weeks.I hate to ask, was the battery completely flat when you tried to start the car? Or did you flatten it by repeatedly trying to start the car? Or did you leave your lights on over night?! Eitherway, best first step is to recharge your battery (or get a 'jump start' from someone) and see if car starts. Assuming you get it going, if you've developed an ongoing / intermittent problem with starting your car suggest for the next few days at least you avoid switching off your engine it in places where you don't want to be stranded. (A petrol station on a busy day is a good example!) And in any case listen / look out for anything strange while you're driving it. If you do get stranded away from home your best bet is AA/ RAC or Green Flag. If you are not already a member it will cost you both the joining fee and the emergency same day call out charge. Don't get 'home start only' service. If it happens at home again, contact a local garage during weekday office hours. They would generally prefer you to bring car in. If they come to your home, it probably wont be same day, but at least they might be able to get it going enough to get it to their garage to look into further.Either an emergency call out service, or local mechanic, might or might not find the problem straightaway. Get's a bit awkward if it turns out to be an intermitent problem. Like I said, you can try to get it going yourself to begin with, then if problem comes back you can give a clearer description to mechanic about what's happened / when it happens.If you need a new battery (unlikely), a local mechanic will tell you and, if they dont have in stock, order in the right one for your car for you.If you can't start your car even after a 'jump start' or recharged battery, you'll have to book into a garage anyway (next week) and ask them to come out to collect.Hope this has been of help. Let us know how you get on!

S Bradford ● 5157d

A loose fan belt can be a common problem.Usually easily remedied.You should get a light highlightin a battery on the dash lights.Always think of the simplest things first when diagnosing a problem like this.

Keith Iddon ● 5157d

I was thinking similar lines ;-)A loose belt can make a distinctive squealing noise, a missing broken belt is much quieter but same result (loss of electrical power). Also could be an altinator problem, intermitent problem with altinator not charging the battery properly. Also points maybe. Also a faulty sensor, intermitant problem with sensor, not letting the car start. Eitherway, if it's not simply a flat battery, it needs some one with the right eyes / right testing equipment. Learned from personal experience of owning older cars and asking questions when they go wrong - not a mechanic myself!

S Bradford ● 5157d

His car is only 7 years old probably has electric points.

Keith Iddon ● 5157d

The only thing I know about points is that they're relatively cheap to replace. Cheaper than a new battery anyway. ;-)

S Bradford ● 5156d

Why is the battery flat? Lights left on? Faulty light switch in the boot or glove compartment? Faulty alternator? Radio left on while engine off? It is easy enough to try to charge the battery for a while, then switch off and measure the terminal voltage to check for shorted cells, should be at least 12volts. Unfortunately I will not be able to help until Sunday.

Chris Bell ● 5156d

sorry for the late reply guys!!! got it sorted..i thought my reply got posted, but it didn't for some reason as i was using my mobile. big thanks to keith who came all the way down to help me out in the middle of all the traffic!! really kind of you. also to santha for all your advise!! i sent it down to halfords actually to get it checked up after. (they do free battery checks) the boss named John there is the best (offered to do additional things for free)...really helpful and seems honest enough - all u could ask for in a mechanic really. anyway it turned out to be an alternator problem, which thankfully was still covered under my warranty and duly replaced.thanks all once again for all your kind help and generous input/advise! :)

Ethan Goh ● 5152d