Can batteries suddenly die?

physichull

physichull

physichull

Soldato
Joined
22 Sep 2008
Posts
10,138
Location
Burscough
Car novice alert!

Can car batteries suddenly die, without warning and within the space of 12 hours?

The reason I ask is that my Ford Focus refused to start this morning, nothing happened when turning the key and no lights or radio, etc will come on. It has not been showing any signs of struggling to start over the past few weeks.

Could it just be as simple as an old battery that has finally met its end with the recent cold/wet weather?
 
Nope. I checked all the switches for lights etc and as far as I am aware, nothing was left on.

Its been flat for at least two days now, so does that mean its toast anyway?
 
Yes batteries can suddenly become unable to start a car, especially this time of year when it gets very cold.

Most battery suppliers can check the battery status and will do so for free before trying to convince you will need a new one.

Andi.
 
Ah great, that's reassuring to know that that is all likely to be wrong with it. More annoying is that I don't have the audio code from the previous owners so the radio will be down until I pay Ford £25 for a new code....
 
Last edited:
They can indeed. The battery in my old Mondeo died suddenly. After replacing it, the car cranked much faster, so it must have been slowly declining before packing in completely all of a sudden.
 
Yes, a cold snap can finish off a weak cell in a car battery that's had a few years use.

Had one fail on a really hot day in France as well some years back. Much laughter at the local garage ensued trying to ask for a "Box of electricity" in my shabby schoolboy French...
 
If your car is not recharging the battery, then it is not the battery that is faulty would be best to bring it into a mechanic to see if it is the battery or your car is not charging it.
 
Get someone to check the alternator with a multimeter, it's a quick test.

Other than that, yes. I'd almost be suprised if it was something more than a failed battery at this time of year.
 
Yup.

Had this happen to both of our cars within a few weeks of each other!

Both were over 10 years old. Worth testing the voltage with a voltmeter and testing the alternator voltage.

I've not checked what this video says, it's pretty straight forward though..

www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyKexCny9yk
 
physichull said:
Ah great, that's reassuring to know that that is all likely to be wrong with it. More annoying is that I don't have the audio code from the previous owners so the radio will be down until I pay Ford £25 for a new code....
Click to expand...

Code be OK. You dont need a code if you leave stereo in the original vehicle it came in. This is certainly true of MOST cars I have ever owned. New battery and stereo should fire up just like before. No idea why people panic about this, maybe older vehicles are like this:confused:
 
LupoLover said:
Code be OK. You dont need a code if you leave stereo in the original vehicle it came in. This is certainly true of MOST cars I have ever owned. New battery and stereo should fire up just like before. No idea why people panic about this, maybe older vehicles are like this:confused:
Click to expand...

I have to enter the code into my audio system if I disconnect the battery. This has been the case with various other cars I've worked on, too.
 
LupoLover said:
Code be OK. You dont need a code if you leave stereo in the original vehicle it came in. This is certainly true of MOST cars I have ever owned. New battery and stereo should fire up just like before. No idea why people panic about this, maybe older vehicles are like this:confused:
Click to expand...

???

Disconnect the battery and it will ask for the code. does this on my 2004 clio and wifes 2008 megane
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom