Ignition on, engine not running...

MissChief · 26 Mar 2016 at 11:51

How long should a car be able to sit with the ignition on but the engine off? My '04 Leon Cupra 180 wouldn't start and would hardly turn the engine after only a few minutes the other day but I can't say I've noticed this on any previous cars. Could this be a sign of a failing battery? Once it was push started it ran and then started the next time perfectly ok.

slick rick · 26 Mar 2016 at 11:56

It depends on the age of the battery, the capacity of the battery, what is consuming power in the car etc. If it would not start after only a few mins of having ignition on it could be a sign of a weak battery.

Jono8 · 26 Mar 2016 at 12:00

Quite a while i would have thought, unless you have all the electric stuff and lights on ( even then i would expect more than just a few mins)

Sounds like your battery is on its way out.

Dogbreath · 26 Mar 2016 at 12:16

If it was literally a few minutes and you didn't have headlights etc. on then it sounds like your battery is well past it's best.

MissChief · 26 Mar 2016 at 16:16

Only the radio and rear demister. New battery bought (£74!) but was pouring with rain so will fit it tomorrow.

teenwolf · 26 Mar 2016 at 16:20

Yup defo the battery

bledd · 26 Mar 2016 at 16:54

eurocarparts.com

Enter your reg, get an Excide / Bosch etc with longest guarantee.

You might need a radio code etc.

They should last at least 4 years, can be up to 10+ of you're lucky

MissChief · 26 Mar 2016 at 17:07

Went to the Motor Factors as I was passing by. Yukasa or something. Three year guarantee.

slick rick · 26 Mar 2016 at 17:09

MissChief said:
Went to the Motor Factors as I was passing by. Yukasa or something. Three year guarantee.

Yuasa are decent batteries, better than an old dying one anyway.

Dogbreath · 26 Mar 2016 at 17:30

Demisters do take quite a lot of current, probably more than the headlights, but a few minutes still shouldn't have been anything like enough to discharge the battery.

Diddums x · 26 Mar 2016 at 19:02

20% discount at ECP this weekend too: EASTER20. Another 5.25% if you go through TCB

MissChief · 26 Mar 2016 at 22:16

Already bought. Figured if it didn't start I'd be stuck.

MissChief · 27 Mar 2016 at 19:53

Fitted it today. Certainly seemed perkier on first startup but we will see over the next few days. Relatively easy job too and finally got to use the socket set that's been in the boot for three months.

bledd · 27 Mar 2016 at 21:55

Handy to buy a simple multimeter, to test the battery and alternator. a £5-£10 unit would suffice