Hi all

it's been a while. I had a fall about 6 weeks ago, and my vrs' battery doesn't hold a charge. there's nothing plugged into the lighter / 12V socket, if I leave it for a week, it won't start without outside help. It's 2 1/2 yrs old. (As is the battery) 23K miles.

Any ideas?

Check the charging rate when the car is running, should be around 14v. The alarm system or some other device could be draining the battery or the battery is past its best.

simple, you have one of three things, a knackered battery, a knackered alternator or something in the car draining the power naimly an alarm.

Hi all

it's been a while. I had a fall about 6 weeks ago, and my vrs' battery doesn't hold a charge. there's nothing plugged into the lighter / 12V socket, if I leave it for a week, it won't start without outside help. It's 2 1/2 yrs old. (As is the battery) 23K miles.

Any ideas?

Has the stereo been changed? if an aftermarket ones been fitted incorrectly they can drain the battery quite quickly!

Has the stereo been changed? if an aftermarket ones been fitted incorrectly they can drain the battery quite quickly!

Stereo hasn't been changed, there is an MP3 adaptor, but it's been on for 2 1.2 years too. the car isn't getting much use atm, but would the alarm drain a decent batt in 3 weeks?

Disconnect the battery +ve ,and put an ammeter between the battery +ve cable ,and the battery +ve terminal.This will show any current (amps ,or part of an amp) being drained all the time the car is parked with out the engine running.My car reads about 100 to 150 mA (1000 mA = 1 amp),because of the alarm and clock .Dont forget you may need the code for your radio,when battery reconnected.Also if you have recently opened a front door the reading will be higher.Do not try and start the car with meter in circuit-you will damage the meter.

I would also check boot light switches to see that the boot light is not turning off.I would then give the battery a long charge of 24 hours using a charger of about 6 amps max,and then see if the fault has gone,before changing the battery for a new one. A voltmeter connected across the battery should read about 14 to 15 volts (remember to wait for door switches to close,and test it about 5 minutes after the car has been started ,because starting the car will drain the battery ).

Something is draining the battery, my old octy vrs could go for 1 month and still start and thats with the alarm set.

Check the light in the glovebox goes out, same with the one in the boot as a dodgy microswitch could cause what you are seeing.