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00 2.0Hdi - Battery replacement - MikeC
Hi. Battery (2.5yrs old) suddenly died today, I did have the radio on (not full ignition) for a couple of hours prior to trying to start, within three attempts of turning it over the battery was completely flat. Radio/1st ignition was taking 0.22A so shouldn't have drained the battery that quickly?

Question is what is the recommended power needed for this car? Current battery is rated as 580Amps Cranking and 20Ah, tried to jump from a petrol car rated as 550 Cranking but it didn't even try to turn over. Recommended battery options at local autostore are 480/56Ah or 540/60Ah. Seems a bit pointless buying a new battery with lower cranking power than the existing one, espeically as this did struggle with cold mornings last winter.

Thanks
Mike.

Edited by Dynamic Dave on 26/04/2009 at 22:20

00 2.0Hdi - Battery replacement - dagenham car center
trickle charge battery overnight,should be ok,if not replace with same capacity new one.
00 2.0Hdi - Battery replacement - MikeC
thanks, it has been charged to get it going but will put it on trickle when I'm back from work tonight. Think I'll see how it goes for a couple of days - but going camping in the lake district soon so it has to be dependable then.
00 2.0Hdi - Battery replacement - steve_earwig
A duff battery is a pain in the bottom, if you've got any doubts replace. You could even take it as a warning, the last time I had a battery go it just went, no warning, nothing. This place tinyurl.com/ddwpw8 lists two for your motah - a 62/520 amp and a 60/540, which are probably better bets than what your local factors is trying to palm you off with.
00 2.0Hdi - Battery replacement - dereckr
I brought a Varta battery from this place for my car. I got the details on line and rang them to check delivery. This was in the break between Christmas and New Year. They checked that the battery I wanted was correct for the car and stated delivery for mid-morning the next day. It arrived next morning. Excellent price and service for a decent quality branded battery. Recommended.
00 2.0Hdi - Battery replacement - MikeC
Hi thanks for the link. Will go for a new one to be safe. I think the problem is the low ampere hr rating (20Ah) on the existing one. Its been tested and is in good condition but, it might have loads of power but it can't apply it for long.

Same thing happened on the previous battery which gave up soon after it was quickly flattened when trying to start the car with rescue (less than 10 short attempts) when the fuel pump went. Yet a neighbour spent ages cranking (a minute+ at a time!) his Escort van every morning through winter.

Thanks all.