Stranded in spain, advice please.

A new battery was fitted a week ago after the original one failed (nearly five years old.). Now the car suudenly won't start, although the battery does not appear to be flat. I have recharged it in situ to 12.8v but nothing happens. The battery light goes out, sometimes comes on again and flickers and then goes out.

Could it be a faulty starter solenoid? So little access room I can't get to it to ckeck.

All the manual sais is drive the car to a specialist dealer. I have breakdown insurance but would like some idea of how to describe the fault before calling the insurance company.

If you put your headlamps on do they light up as expected? If you then attempt to start the car do they remain fully lit or go out? This will help you decide if the problem is with the battery. If they stay lit up brightly when you try to start I would think the starter motor has probably gone, in which case you should be able to push start the car.

Mind you, you say you've got breakdown cover and your car has broken down so why not just call them and tell them your car won't start? Then they can find, and hopefully fix, the problem. You might as well get the service you've paid for

Check battery terminals are tight. Battery change is the clue, along with flickering charge light. Bet one of the terminals needs tightened.

Thanks for the input.

Loose battery terminals were my first thought but checked that they are tight. On the other hand the headlights do go out when I try the starter. What puzzles me is that the battery voltage remains high and does not indicate a discharged battery. I wonder if something could have damaged the new battery or whether it was just a dud. Rated 70 amp hr and worked fine for a week. I shall phone the insurers in the morning as no Skoda specialist open till Monday. Fortunately there is one in the next town.

Thanks for the input.

Loose battery terminals were my first thought but checked that they are tight. On the other hand the headlights do go out when I try the starter. What puzzles me is that the battery voltage remains high and does not indicate a discharged battery. I wonder if something could have damaged the new battery or whether it was just a dud. Rated 70 amp hr and worked fine for a week. I shall phone the insurers in the morning as no Skoda specialist open till Monday. Fortunately there is one in the next town.

For those who may be interested the fault turned out to be the starter motor. Now this has been replaced the car is back to normal.

Thanks for posting the fix

The starter motor must have had a dead short to earth.

At least you have got it sorted now