Battery problem?

DXP55

DXP55

DXP55

Soldato
Joined
5 Aug 2013
Posts
6,924
Location
Shropshire
I am having problem with the 2010 Focus 2.0 ltr diesel -It has started to play up some morning and not start.
Did a voltage test and battery was showing 11.7v so charged it up to 13.2v and it started better than usual - So put it on charger at night and it stopped at 12.9v -turned it off and in morning it was12.2v.
Been doing this all week so took it to local garage for battery test.
Battery test -58% -Health = good -cranking and charging tests OK -Diode ripple OK. -- So do these figures sound OK.
I have been googling for a few days and it was mentioned that the battery could have a duff cell.
The battery was replaced about 5/6 yrs ago and is a Bosch.
I am now considering getting another battery check from Ford dealers just in case.
Other wise we are talking of a drain somewhere. -I do have it booked in for 12th Feb with auto electrician but would like to double check before take it in (expensive)

PS one other thing is we only use it 2 or 3 times a week for local runs and the killer -start it up -back out of garage then put it back later in the day so loads of amps but not replaced.

Any ideas ?
 
sovietspybob said:
If its gone down below 12.4v it'll have sustained internal damage so best to replace it, especially if you say its 6 years old anyway, that's not an uncommon lifespan for a battery in a modern car.
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This essentially, modern stuff does not like going too low, I did this with my focus during covid let it go low. Now it passed all tests, but its hold rate was pants. I could tell by the speed of the mirrors closing when the car was locked. I doubt the cold weather / short runs/ start up back out is helping it.
 
DXP55 said:
I do have it booked in for 12th Feb with auto electrician but would like to double check before take it in (expensive)
Any ideas ?
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If the auto electrician is expensive, then just buy a new battery instead and see if that fixes it.

I would say it's unlikely to be a drain, and more likely to be a deterioration in battery performance and its ability to hold voltage over time.

I have a 2005 Ford Focus 2l diesel and sometimes I have to remove the battery and recharge it as well. I think this type of car is quite hard on batteries when starting. Putting your foot on the clutch when you start it probably helps save a little bit of battery over time.
 
Presumably a Halfords battery is cheaper than messing around. It's 15 years old at this point too. Diesels need a lot of power to crank when cold, too.

Maybe a quick disconnect trickle charger if it isn't getting used much?
 
Thanks for the replies - I feel better now and just hope it is battery - Mind you a new one is just over £100 which will be a lot less than Auto electrician.
One other thing is it has had a few electrical problems with rear tailgate lock not working with the fob and have to open rear door first but it still locks with button on handle and fob.
I think it was a major fault on mine with rain seeping through rear screen and frame and water soaking electrics.
Will ring up dealer tomorrow and get it tested - I can't do this anymore as i can't lift the battery and it sits under the windscreen and air filter and stuff needs removing.
I have one of these chargers and it is good -Had it a few years and it is now paying for itself.
 
DXP55 said:
Thanks for the replies - I feel better now and just hope it is battery - Mind you a new one is just over £100 which will be a lot less than Auto electrician.
One other thing is it has had a few electrical problems with rear tailgate lock not working with the fob and have to open rear door first but it still locks with button on handle and fob.
I think it was a major fault on mine with rain seeping through rear screen and frame and water soaking electrics.
Will ring up dealer tomorrow and get it tested - I can't do this anymore as i can't lift the battery and it sits under the windscreen and air filter and stuff needs removing.
I have one of these chargers and it is good -Had it a few years and it is now paying for itself.
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How often do you use the car?

A decent non-Chinesium battery charger will probably be better.

E.g. what folk use for their super cars.
 
I've always had good prices from Tayna compared to CP4L or ECP who are extortionate for batteries, even with their constantly running sales and discount codes.
 
The other thing you could do is buy a jump starter, e.g. NOCO Boost Plus GB40. Then you'll always be able to start the car, even if the battery has gone flat.

If you have a digital multimeter then you can put the probes across the battery terminals to determine battery voltage. If the battery isn't recharging well when you drive the car, or it's not maintaining charge well when the car is left, then it's probably time for a new battery.
 
tbh if the battery has done 6 years then its done well. we had our mondeo 9 years and i replaced the battery twice.
we have a cmax now 1.5 diesel 2017 and just replaced the battery on that and reprogramed it. as always lack of use kills batteries. i now put this one on ctek every fortnight for a couple of hours.
 
Had new battery fitted today so asked him when was the last one I had - Seems 2017 so it's done well -Should have done really as it was a Bosch.
We will now just wait and see - What I won't be doing is backing car in and out of the garage so I can work in there. Will put it on the charge if I detect a drop in voltage.
Wish I could still do these jobs myself but there is no way I could have lifted that battery up and into that battery slot.
 
I've ballsed up the battery in the Ovlov, ran it dead by accident and now it won't hold charge. Another expense whilst i'm trying to sell it :@
 
I got the battery replaced on my 59 plate 2.0 TDCi Mondeo yesterday. It was coming up to 4 years next month and car was showing signs of struggle on crank.

The previous one was fitted at Kwik Fit, some brand called Platinum. I have now replaced it with Exide. Was cheaper by £25-30 than equivalent Varta and Bosch with same specs. Ordered the battery from Tayna.
 
What battery did you fit?

I've just fitted a Bosch S5 010 to my 2.0 TDCi Focus, which I ordered from Tayna after seeing a previous post here. This has 800A and replaced a 650A battery, and the car starts much better now. The battery came nicely packed so I would order from them again.
 
No idea what make - Last time they put a Bosch 80Ah one in (or 800)- This is also 80Ah but not a bosch.

I also think I have a lazy glow plug so now switching it on till all lights go out then turn it off then start again and away it goes - It's not doing to bad as it's on 95k miles and never touched glow plugs or injectors and it still goes well.
 
DXP55 said:
No idea what make - Last time they put a Bosch 80Ah one in (or 800)- This is also 80Ah but not a bosch.

I also think I have a lazy glow plug so now switching it on till all lights go out then turn it off then start again and away it goes - It's not doing to bad as it's on 95k miles and never touched glow plugs or injectors and it still goes well.
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always did this on the 2.0tdci mondeo ign on 5 seconds then ign off then on again and press start guess old habits from hgvs die hard:)
much prefered the old tractors with the pepperpot glow plug heater on dash , at least your hand got some warmth
 
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