My wife's Peugeot 106 had a new battery fitted in March but found it flat three times recently. In each case, the Europ Assiatnce man attending jump started the car and said the fault was down to hot weather and that there had been a lot of calls for this reason. The local Pug dealer could find nothing wrong. Flat again this morning: same remedy and story. Flat again this afternoon. This time, the EA man added a new dimension. He said hot weather can "fry the battery" by leading to the production of excess voltage and cause it to "consume itself".
Has anyone else out there experienced this? I am intrigued as I drove a variety of cars for 16 years in a country where every day was a hot as it ever gets in the UK and never had a fried battery.
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Of course, excessive heat will damage the battery, especially if badly located 9such as with a rad hose alongside it) It usually just evapourates the electrolyte, It doesn't 'consume itself'
What make is it? Is it a cheapo job like Mr Power? or a decent one like Varta?
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Sounds really odd to me!
I'd have the battery checked firstly; as before, make sure it's a good quality one.
Have the alternator output checked, ensure it is no more than 14.7V - any higher and the battery will cook.
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If the hot weather was to blame for battery failure the roads would be littered with broken down cars (unless the battery was in a cool place like under the rear seat squab, as on the BMW 525 that I've just foolishly sold!).
I agree with DL about checking the alternator output. Co-incidentally, my daughter's Peugeot 106 recently cooked its battery, so much so that obnoxious fumes entered the passenger compartment and acid overflowed out of the filler points. I checked the alternator output and this was over 17 volts, which a new brush/regulator pack brought down to a perfect 14.4. I also replaced the battery as it was 7 years old anyway, being the original fitment.
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Sounds like the voltage regulator is gone on the alternator.
It happened on my Rover 214 mk2. I changed the batteries twice to work this out. I did check the voltage using a meter, which read 14.4 just as expected. I only discovered the batery was cooking as I could smell rotten eggs from may car. I thought my cat was cooking! But it turned out to be my batteries!! The voltage at the time was 18V!!
306 2.0 SE Cabriolet
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Batteries are now sealed to prevent evaporation aren't they? I believe this one was Halford's own brand.
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Batteries are now sealed to prevent evaporation aren't they?
Nope. They still have a breather hole somewhere.
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Not disputing this, but can't say I've ever heard of it! I have heard of alternators overcharging batteries - that could probably cook them. Are you sure the alternator is charging properly / consistently? Is the wiring / battery connections OK?
I find it hard to see how hot weather can (directly) affect a battery - after all, engine bays are pretty hot places at the best of times! If he means that the hot weather is putting an extra load on the car's electrical system, which is indirectly draining the battery - well, even that sounds a bit far-fetched.
Are you sure the battery is actually flat - as opposed to a faulty starting motor / solonoid (eg)? Do you have anything switched on that might be draining the power away - such as a boot light failing to shut off? Is the new battery of the correct rating for the car? Might the new battery not be faulty? If it was fitted in March it would still be under warranty (?) Why not go down this route and get another new one?
Maybe the warranty specifically excludes hot weather! (Wrong kind of leaves on the line syndrome!)
Do let us know how you get on.
Graeme
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Nearly forgot - one other possibility - dodgy earth?
Graeme
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Replacing the Regualtor/Rectifier pack??
.........Now there's a blast from the past!
These days, recon alternators can be had for as little as £50 from motor factors (Good branded units, too, no rubbish) so the days of repairing alternators are long gone for us.
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Boot light, underbonnet light or something stuck on??
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DL,
Cheapest recon alternator I could find for the Peugeot 106 at a factor was over £100. The brush/regulator pack (pattern part)was under a tenner and my labour charge was nil. So no contest!
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As I said, the dealer couldn't find anything amiss.
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"He said hot weather can "fry the battery" by leading to the production of excess voltage and cause it to "consume itself"."
Utter carp. never heard such rubbish. Ye gods - the weather only got to 39c maximum. AS you say how do the people in hot countries cope? easy batteries dont fry in ambient temperatures.
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Interesting thread here.
I travelled to Austria a few weeks ago during the really hot (as we know it!) weather (c. 35 degs.). Long hot run across France, then in the mountains. No starting problems at all. At the end of the first week of the hols, got everything loaded into car to travel to next apartment. Turned the key - nothing! I got a jump start and drove to nearest town. When the battery was tested, it was only putting out 7 volts under load. Charging was OK at around 14.5 volts. So I had a new battery (Varta) fitted & no probs since. Coincidence? Could be - the battery was the five-year old original. But I also wondered whether the heat caused it to fail earlier than it might have done.
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