Battery or alternator going?

Zaphan58 · 5 Mar 2017 at 18:51

I have a 2007 Ford Focus. Used on a daily basis it is fine. But if I leave it stood for 4 days or so the battery is dead. It tries to turnover once and then its done. If I jump start it, its fine again so long as I use it daily or don't leave it more than a day or two.

I had Halfords do a free battery test and they said it looked fine but was just low on charge possibly from short trips. This was a while ago and I haven't bothered to do anything since I use it daily most of the time. But it just died on me again after coming back from holiday. Does it sounds like a simple dead battery not taking charge? A friend has suggested it might be alternator related.

Armageus · 5 Mar 2017 at 18:55

Has the battery ever be changed? (E.g if it's a ford motorcraft then probably not). Battery tests aren't infallible so would suggest it's more likely that than the alternator

Zaphan58 · 5 Mar 2017 at 19:08

Hi there, yes it looks like the battery has been changed at some point in its life. If has a "Drivetec" battery fitted. I had a look for a date on it but can't see anything. It must have been changed before I owned the car (I've had it about 15 months)

Stormster · 5 Mar 2017 at 19:50

Awkward thing is your car is a Focus which are prone for Alternator failures... so could be either!

Gaygle · 6 Mar 2017 at 12:27

Tbh, if it was the alternator I should fail to start everyday, rather than if it's left 4days. Could be a battery drain issue? In assuming you don't leave anything plugged in to the cigarette lighter or similar?

Zaphan58 · 6 Mar 2017 at 12:46

No nothing left plugged in, since it started happening I was paranoid about that. I put a multimeter over the battery and monitored after startup as per a YouTube video and alternator seems fine.

Euro car parts had a weekend sale on so I've dropped a new battery on. It definitely cranks over quicker than it used to. I'll see if that sorts it.

James82 · 6 Mar 2017 at 15:11

Fords need a silver calcium battery. Something to do with the smartcharge system.

jamoor · 6 Mar 2017 at 15:23

IF it's al alternator usually there's a light on the dash to indicate it's not charging.

helsey · 6 Mar 2017 at 17:09

Yep the alt will usually throw a dash light up. There are some tests you can do yourself if you have a multi meter. I would be checking for a parasitic draw to check if there is anything drawing current with the engine off.