Battery issue....

[SilverSaloon]

Hi

Sorry this is about a picasso not my merc but i'm hoping someone on here could shed some light?

We have a citroen picasso that has been standing for about 5 months with little use. The battery has gone completely flat in this time, so i've charged it up.

We have now put it back on the road and I have charged the battery fully which seemed to charge OK with the in-home charger i have. Upon putting it in the car and connecting everything up (interior lights come on, dash lights on), i go to start the car and sometimes absolutly nothing happens and all the lights go off as if the battery is no longer connected (which it is). I then disconnect the pos. terminal and put it back on and everything lights up again. Sometimes this doesnt happen and the car does start but then I get an ABS fault. Apparently low voltage can trigger the ABS fault?

Before I go out and buy a new battery, does anyone think I'm right in thinking the battery is knackered? or any other ideas?

thanks

derek

 

[grober]

Knackered!

 

[imadoofus]

It's possible the battery has collapsed. Do you have a 'smart' battery charger? If so, read on...

I recently flattened the battery in my Volvo, by leaving an interior light on. The smart charger wouldn't recharge it, because there wasn't enough current in it So I put it on a 'stupid' charger for ten mintues, which put enough juice in it for the smart charger to accept it for full recharging. Since then, it's been fine.

PJ

 

[SilverSaloon]

but what i cant understand is why the car can start sometimes - there must be power in the battery? my knowlege of batteries is limited and i've never had to change one before!

i suppose a good test would to be to take out my merc batteery and attach it to the picasso and see if the problem is cured......

battery charger i have is a cheapo £20 one from argos. it seems to charge the battery fine (had no lights on it - left overnight and all 5 lights are now lit indicating fully charged). it also seems to charge my caravan battery correctly.

thanks

derek

 

[daveuj]

if not the fuse box damp? the battery may have a bad earth? ,have only seen this once but had a battery witth a broken piller inside (crack )would only start sometimes New battery fixed it.

 

[SilverSaloon]

if not the fuse box damp? the battery may have a bad earth? ,have only seen this once but had a battery witth a broken piller inside (crack )would only start sometimes New battery fixed it.

fuse box seems fine. The clamps on the battery terminals are tight and clean - the pos. clips on and the neg. screws on.

 

[Brian WH]

If you have started it and given the car a good run, say 20 miles. Then leave overnight. If it will not start in the morning then it isn't holding the charge and needs a NEW Battery as the plates may be buckled etc.

 

[SilverSaloon]

i'm going to check it with the battery from my merc which i know to be good tonight.

 

[Frank O' Phile]

Hi

Before I go out and buy a new battery, does anyone think I'm right in thinking the battery is knackered? or any other ideas?

Yes, Me.

Just a buy a new one. Not only will it work but it gives peace of mind too. No more wondering 'what if...' every time you get in it.

Or if you're not going to use it much, get a decent one from the scrappy. They should put a battery tester across it before you buy. £10-20 is my guess.

 

[nickcc101]

Check the cable from the battery to the starter is tight. If the nut is loose you will get a make/break connection.

 

[SilverSaloon]

Hi. A bit of an update. I put the merc battery into the picasso last night - exactly the same issue. The ABS warning still came on. Didnt get the 'dead' start again but havnt with the other battery either since....

So I guess its something else, but will probably be putting our caravan battery in there (its a car one) and then getting a proper caravan lesure battery for that.

Its going to a local garage for them to check out the ABS sensors. Spoke to the guy and he says he has seen several picassos have this and its just sensors, so hopefully sounds like he knows his stuff.

cheers

derek