Battery replacement? MK2

[Lukeh17]

Earlier this evening the car was sounding fine on the drive and the revs were going up when I pulled out the drive and went down the road I turned the windscreen wipers on and they moved very slowly then the light on on the speedo etc went off and I thought I had knocked the wheel which deals with the light so I played around and nothing and then suddenly the car came to a standstill and wouldn't turn on. For a moment the hazards wouldn't either but then did. My friend came and pushed me to a safer distance then my dad arrived and we managed to get it started using jump leads and got it safely back home.... We all reckon it sounds like a battery replacement is needed... any thoughts?

Cheers guys

[ianaudia4]

Have you checked the battery? A decent battery should read about 12.5v approx with the engine switched off. With the engine running, the battery should be about 13.5 - 14v if the alternator is working.

[Lukeh17]

Not yet... will check in the morning.. will keep the figures in mind thanks for the reply :) (When I got the car they said the alternator was new and my mate said it looked new too)

[ianaudia4]

Be sure to check earths for the alternator, check it is tight and free from corrosion.

[Nate]

Keep the voltmeter on the battery while sommeone starts it, shouldn't stop below 9v during cranking.

if it is knackered, get a decent branded one (bosch, varta etc) with at least 3 yr guarantee, preferably 5 yr. The cheapo ones only get 1 year for a reason ;)

[Lukeh17]

Went to the mechanic and charged the battery for an hour today and it has started but we aren't sure whether its the alternator or the battery. The alternator seems to be intermittent and the battery doesn't charge properly. However both are new... gonna see how the car goes over the weekend and go from there.. at the moment it is moving!!

[Lukeh17]

Hey guys I think I know what the problem is/was... I was out driving for over half an hour today with my friend behind. When I turned on my headlights he pulled me over and asked if I knew that my foglights were on.... I didn't which I think meant that I have been driving around and leaving the car with the switch on!!! The car today has been great, not a single problem

[Nate]

fogs should only come on when the headlights (and i think the ignition) are on, so unless you've been leaving your headlights on...

[ianaudia4]

And only 1 foglight at the rear! As Nate says, do not work without the ignition on.

[Nate]

And only 1 foglight at the rear! As Nate says, do not work without the ignition on.

really? i was sure my mk2 had 2 of them. i messed about trying to get all the rear lights as LEDs, but gave up

[ianaudia4]

And only 1 foglight at the rear! As Nate says, do not work without the ignition on.

really? i was sure my mk2 had 2 of them. i messed about trying to get all the rear lights as LEDs, but gave up

As standard only one, obviously the drivers side. You can make the second by drilling out the passenger side and fitting a bulb, I did this on my Storm, probably only used it once!

[Nate]

Must have been done by a previous owner then. I used mine daily at this time of year living round here.

[Lukeh17]

Thanks guys, I have two front and rear... I thought that would be the case only when the ignition is on and yeah they only come on when the headlights are on, just wanted to check