Samgtill

Update: I contacted my local autoelectrician, they felt they couldn't do any extra than my garage were doing. My garage still felt insistent that the battery was fine. After keeping it for several days, they eventually found that the alternator was only "kicking in" (hope that's the right phrase) if he rev'd the car to the red line. So I agreed to change the alternator. When I went to collect the car, they were just driving it out of the garage as I arrived, I paid and went to jump in my car. I started it and again the power assist light came on and the car wouldn't pull forward. I turned it off and back on again and it wouldn't start and I had the same clicking/grinding noise. Obviously I went back in and they boosted it again and did a few checks. He said it may have been the battery that wasn't fully charged. So I left it with them to charge and have another check. They said that they took it for a spin and it backfired. The backfire error message disappeared when they reset it. I authorized them to spend an hour or so looking over it, but didn't want to throw money at it if they couldn't find a fault. They eventually found a frayed lead (I think the earth cable to the battery- they didn't charge me for that) I picked it up yesterday (after 3 weeks without the car) and so far so good, fingers crossed. Thanks everyone for your help.

I assume they would automatically run diagnostics for fault codes?? I've had the car for 4 years, it was fairly low mileage when I bought it, so I would guess the battery hasn't been changed, certainly not since I've had it. I'm not sure I rate my local Skoda garage, I did phone them anyway for advice, they spoke about issues with my power steering failure rather than any battery issues. From reading another older forum. Someone reported turning the key and hearing a click noise and took it to a autoelectrician and they quickly diagnosed a faulty rectifier on the alternator. So I have googled autoelectrician and there are two in Pembrokeshire so I'm going to phone them tomorrow and see if I can get it booked in with them. Either way they should be able to tell me if it is the battery (fingers crossed). Thanks for all your help, I'll keep you updated.

I've spoken to my garage and they have said that the battery has been checked and it's not that. And that multimeter has proved a good charge coming from alternator?

I have a 2013 Roomster (TSI). My car broke down on the 2nd Jan. When I initially turned the ignition, the car started but all the lights on dash went off. I switched the engine off, tried to restart and got a grinding/clicking sound and the power steering light came on. When i tried again, it sounded like a.dead battery and trying to turn over, but wouldn't start. A recovery came out and put a battery booster on it and it started and said the battery was fine. I had it recovered anyway (an hr away from home in a rural area and didn't fancy breaking down). My local garage had it for a week, on one occasion they started it and had the grinding noise again and had to put the battery booster on it and again have said it is fine and unless it does it again they cannot find the fault. I used the car yesterday and made a 30min journey, stopped for 5 mins or so, got back in the car, it started but as I pulled out of my parking spot it cut out. And same thing, initial grinding noise, then second attempt battery not quite able to start. A local garage battery booster it again and said the battery was on 10v and said it my alternator. I managed to drive it back to my garage but without any power steering (and power steering light on). My garage seem reluctant to do anything because.they don't know the fault and are worried about me spending money on it that won't solve the problem. Any suggestions? (FYI I know nothing about car, but a single mum trying to get to work and school drop off) The car is used daily and for runs of generally 20mins or more. Thanks