I've not used the car much recently but need it today to go home and do my Mother's day duty . Last night I checked oil level, tyre pressures etc. but the car wouldn't unlock from the remote key fob. So I guessed battery might be flat, and when I tried to start it there was nothing! So I borrowed a neighbours battery charger (one of these modern more sophisticated chargers apparently that monitors the charging cycle etc.). The charger indicated the battery was charged late last night but I didn't actually try starting it. Now this morning I tried to start it and nothing again :(

I've called the recovery to see if they can get me going but had a few questions:

1) If the battery is dead, am I better waiting until I can ring round a few places for prices than taking one from the recovery company who I assume will be overpriced?

2) Any advice on where to buy from/what sort of battery is best (there seems to be quite a choice in battery technology nowadays).

3) Is there anything I should specifically do before removing the battery in terms of avoiding damage to ECU etc.?

4) When I bought the car it didn't come with the original owners manual so I bought a replacement from Skoda which they still publish for the 'Tour' I think. It's unclear whether I do or don't need a code for the radio (I don't have one), as it says you might not have a radio that needs a code. Any ideas?

Sorry for all the questions, I'm not very experienced with car mechanics and don't want to mess anything up. Any help greatly appreciated.

I replaced my battery during the winter, went for the cheapest I could find and had no problems with it at all. I just disconnected the old one and replaced it, didnt even consider the ecu mate. I rang around a few places and found the local autoparts place to be the best price wise, much cheaper than Halfords. Cost about £60 I think.

Have you tried jump leads just to make sure that it is the battery?

Sure its your battery that's gone? Could be the boot light, interior light or even one of your parking lights left on

I would start by checking the fuses on the top of the battery.

Thanks for the replies. The recovery got me started easily and he quickly checked the alternator was working ok, which it was. Unfortunately he didn't do an additional check to make sure the battery was actually taking a charge. So 100 miles later into my 170 mile journey I stopped for petrol and lo and behold my battery was still completely flat So after not using a recovery service for probably 7 years I used them twice in 3 hours!! Luckily my mechanic is where my Mum is so dropped it straight down there for him to sort out this morning.

I would start by checking the fuses on the top of the battery.

+1

Mine wouldn't start the other week (it was running and cut out, wouldn't re start), turns out it was the fuse on top of the battery, the one that runs the black wire to the alternator.

AA replaced the battery (£25 cost me) as it needed replacing. Got a fuse and a new connector for the wire (Skoda tech told me to change or it would happen again) cost a couple of quid and so far it's been fine

Got a fuse and a new connector for the wire (Skoda tech told me to change or it would happen again) cost a couple of quid and so far it's been fine

I suspect that crimps had failed on the wire and it had a high internal resistance.... which was causing problems.

I suspect that crimps had failed on the wire and it had a high internal resistance.... which was causing problems.

I assume so.... It's been fine since, the wire used to run hot but since fitting the crimp it's been fine