Dead Battery or something else?

Phonesis · 30 Nov 2016 at 22:31

I've got a 2005 Suzuki Swift which I've had a year now roughly.

About a month ago the battery warning light came on but only for a min or 2. Wipers were very slow moving.. then suddenly back to normal speed as the light went. Didn't think much of it.

I drove it tonight after not touching it for about a week. Started fine but after about 5 mins battery warning light came on. It kept going on and off until it finally stayed on. So I got bit concerned. After about a minute it all screwed up. My ABS light came on and I lost power steering entirely (boy, that was fun!). Managed to get it home luckily.

I waited a few mins and attempted to start it again but it won't start the engine now although lights and radio etc come on ok.

I'm guessing it's a dead battery? Does it sound that way to people?

I'm not a very experienced driver so this is all new to me!

ianh · 30 Nov 2016 at 23:51

It's more likely the alternator isn't working properly which has caused the battery to die. The alternator provides electrical power to the car when the engine is running and it also charges the battery. The battery gives power when the engine is off as well as helping the alternator supply power with the engine running.

The things you described are happening with the engine running ("red battery light" on the dash with the engine running means alternator voltage too low) so it's more likely to be the alternator which has failed (or belt has come loose/snapped etc) and possibly killed the battery too which maybe savable with a good recharge after the alternator problem is fixed.

A new Alternator is around £250 with another £250 at most in labour (not in a Suzuki garage) to replace it but you can get a cheaper "reconditioned" alternator for about £150.

Phonesis · 1 Dec 2016 at 00:20

ianh said:
It's more likely the alternator isn't working properly which has caused the battery to die. The alternator provides electrical power to the car when the engine is running and it also charges the battery. The battery gives power when the engine is off as well as helping the alternator supply power with the engine running.

The things you described are happening with the engine running ("red battery light" on the dash with the engine running means alternator voltage too low) so it's more likely to be the alternator which has failed (or belt has come loose/snapped etc) and possibly killed the battery too which maybe savable with a good recharge after the alternator problem is fixed.

A new Alternator is around £250 with another £250 at most in labour (not in a Suzuki garage) to replace it but you can get a cheaper "reconditioned" alternator for about £150.

Thanks for info. Ah ok. Does it make sense that the car engine now won't start at all if it's the alternator then?

Boycey0211 · 1 Dec 2016 at 00:30

Phonesis said:
Thanks for info. Ah ok. Does it make sense that the car engine now won't start at all if it's the alternator then?

It could still be a ****ed battery. Had to change the one on the mrs. car last week as it started to get hard to start and the power steering light was always on in the cold, alternator was fine was just a 6 year old battery.

ianh · 1 Dec 2016 at 01:24

Phonesis said:
Thanks for info. Ah ok. Does it make sense that the car engine now won't start at all if it's the alternator then?

Yeap because the battery won't be being charged so will be flat now.

Best bet is to get someone local to you who knows about cars to have a look before spending any money!

MatteH Oxford · 1 Dec 2016 at 05:57

Checking the connections and the earth strap from the battery to chassis would be the first things to check i.e. the most basic item yet absolutely critical to its function!

They need to be as clean as possible, 12v electrical systems suffer from the tiniest amount of corrosion.

dovey · 1 Dec 2016 at 12:22

I'd second the above, if its an intermittent issue I would start by checking connections and earths.

Phonesis · 1 Dec 2016 at 18:54

Thanks all. So I booked an appointment with my local garage, who reckon it could be the alternator based on my description. They are a decent place and only 3 mins from where I live so they are happy to charge battery for me to get the car over to them.

However, got home from work today and decided to try and start it up again. Engine started first time. Battery lightly flicked on and off for a few mins and then eventually stopped coming on. I kept engine on for about 10 mins and revved it a good few times and chunted car back and forth. Tried lights etc. All seemed fine.

Started it about 5 times in a row and no sign of the battery light.

I think I'll still drive it over to the garage in morning though. They might detect something or perhaps just replace the battery. Maybe a week in the cold idle just caused a bit of a problem initially?

sports_brah · 2 Dec 2016 at 08:47

Go to halfords and they will test for battery for free.

bledd · 2 Dec 2016 at 09:02

Have you checked the terminals? Take a photo of them and post it here..

A multimeter is a cheap way that lets you test some basic things yourself. You can check the battery voltage and check if the alternator is working correctly (most basic tests you can do).

Since we've had a cold snap recently, I'd suspect that the battery is on it's way out.

Similar thread.

https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18759254

Gaygle · 2 Dec 2016 at 09:59

It'll be the battery, probably with a failing cell. Alternator is possible, but unlikely. For every 20 people who have this problem, 19 will be down to the battery.

Phonesis · 2 Dec 2016 at 12:15

Thanks all.

Here are some pics. I ended up popping it into the local garage 10 mins ago. It started again fine this morning so fingers crossed the don't find anything too serious. I'm just not really confident trying to address it myself.

Gaygle · 2 Dec 2016 at 12:24

Yeah, probably best to keep an eye on it, but you'll need to be very careful as the engine cutting out on a 60mph road leaving you with limited brakes and steering could be very dodgy.

It sounds like you don't drive it all that much, and maybe only do short trips when you do? Might be a plan to go for a decent drive in it where you use higher revs? Something like a dual carriageway or motorway for 20 miles either way should do it.

Phonesis · 2 Dec 2016 at 12:54

Gaygle said:
Yeah, probably best to keep an eye on it, but you'll need to be very careful as the engine cutting out on a 60mph road leaving you with limited brakes and steering could be very dodgy.

It sounds like you don't drive it all that much, and maybe only do short trips when you do? Might be a plan to go for a decent drive in it where you use higher revs? Something like a dual carriageway or motorway for 20 miles either way should do it.

Yeah I have done the odd longish drive (20-30 miles) but usually it's once or twice a week for 4-8 mile journeys.

I'll try and do a monthly longer drive to keep it ticking over.

Phonesis · 5 Dec 2016 at 15:21

Just had a quote from the garage. Turned out to be a fault with the voltage regulator part of the alternator. So it'll need replacing. Quoted me £340 in total (parts and labour) to fit the new one in.

I've said go for it.

koooowweeee · 5 Dec 2016 at 15:38

That sounds expensive. I got my altinator refurbished and it was £70 to refurbish and £50 labour. From what ive been told when they get refurbished they are particularly new anyway.

Phonesis · 5 Dec 2016 at 15:43

koooowweeee said:
That sounds expensive. I got my altinator refurbished and it was £70 to refurbish and £50 labour. From what ive been told when they get refurbished they are particularly new anyway.

Yeah some others above estimated way higher though so bit unsure if it's good deal or not. They did mention that apparently Suzuki Swift alternators aren't the cheapest. Having had a quick look on some sites too it does seem to be about £200 odd for them. Guessing they are ordering a new one too.

koooowweeee · 5 Dec 2016 at 15:53

Yeah a new one will be double the price for sure. I lot of places ask for the old one as well. They refurbished then and sell them to someone else. They do it with a good few parts.

Gaygle · 7 Dec 2016 at 14:16

koooowweeee said:
Yeah a new one will be double the price for sure. I lot of places ask for the old one as well. They refurbished then and sell them to someone else. They do it with a good few parts.

£340 doesn't sound massively outrageous. If the part is approx £200, it'll take them a good 2.5 hours to fit and test etc so labour at the bog £35+VAT it sounds about right.

Phonesis · 7 Dec 2016 at 14:29

Just got it back from garage. Gave it a 5 mile drive to ensure it was working ok. Hit a dual carriageway and boosted the heater etc to test the battery. All seems well

They seemed to think Suzuki alternators are particularly expensive for some reason (all Suzuki parts for that matter). Shame but I still love the car and would probably get another one for future car too (just more modern one).

Dead Battery or something else?

Thug