Hi, I am posting on behalf of my Granddad.

He has a 2000 W Plate 1.4 16v Comfort in white and absolutely loves it, so much so that he turned down my gift of a new civic when I moved away a few months ago!

Anyway, I'm back over xmas and he has had some problems since I have been away which I am trying to get to the bottom of before I leave the country again.

The current battery was fitted by the local garage (cowboys) in February 2011 after the car failed to start after 3 weeks. The battery that was in previous was a Bosch that was only 12 months old.

Anyway, in September 2011 the car had not been used for roughly 10 days, he went to start it and it would. It had to be started using an emergency jump box. This problem then occurred in early december after having not been used for about 7 days this time. I return to the UK and checked the voltage on 21st dec as 11.76V which is low, however, the car started no problem 7 days after this reading was taken. P.S. Idle voltage was 14.4V.

This morning the car did not start and a jump was required again! Last use was 7 days ago (about 25mile round on 60mph roads and he will drive around 50, so that shouldnt be a problem). This evening I checked battery again:

12.44V EG OFF

0.06A Drain, doors locked and left for 15mins.

The car is garaged at all times, and it has not been a very cold few months. I initially thought that it was something draining the battery, but now I am not sure, as the 0.06A is normal and the charged voltage of the battery is OK.

Battery light comes on when started and goes off as normal, and like I said EG ON = 14.4V.

I wouldn't mind getting this sorted before I leave on Monday.

Thanks.

Has the right capacity battery been fitted, is that 14.4 volts with load on (lights, heated rear window). Also check codition of cables and terminals,battery and starter motor,consider use of trickle or auto battery charger if car is left for long periods.

Tony

What is the correct capacity for a mk1 Fabia? Will that be in the user manual? 14.4 is no load. I will go out just now and take some more readings.

Negative terminal cable is slightly exposed after bracket. Cables on top of battery box look ok. I will get some pictures.

Will go get some more details now.

Some more details:

EG OFF - 12.34V

EG ON - 14.46V

EG ON W/ Lights - 14.30V

EG ON W/ Lights + AC + FAN - 14.25V

EG ON W/ Lights + AC + FAN + Radio - 14.23V

Then went for a spin and gave it some for about 4 miles.

EG ON W/Lights + FAN - 14.11V

EG OFF - 12.66V

Current Battery Details - Unipart GBA3063 350A, 40Ah.

Old Bosch Battery - S4 001 440A 44Ah

Bump.

40ah seems low, my fabia has a 62ah

My fabia had a new battery put in by skoda on Wednesday I'll have a look at the spec of the battery later today.

40ah seems low, my fabia has a 62ah

Yours is a diesel though and Gorz's is a petrol.

Some more details:

Current Battery Details - Unipart GBA3063 350A, 40Ah.

Old Bosch Battery - S4 001 440A 44Ah

40Ah is WAY TOO LOW!!!!!!!!!!

You need at least 60AH!!!!!!

The power steering pump on these cars really chews the battery and needs a much bigger capacity...well known problem is people putting in small capacity batteries!!!!...

P.S. it dosn't matter if the engine is diesel or petrol either as the the power steering pump is the same system on both and he has the electric windows etc!!!!!!

Ok this is the new battery Skoda fitted on wednesday, in my fabia 1.4 16v comfort

See^^^^^^^^^ 61Ah the correct size!!!!!!.....

Ok, so would you suggest that the previously installed batteries have been rated so low that their condition has deteriorated over time due to the load placed on them, which is causing problems when going to start the car even with such a small drain? i.e. their peak ampage for turnover is insufficient?

Ok, so would you suggest that the previously installed batteries have been rated so low that their condition has deteriorated over time due to the load placed on them, which is causing problems when going to start the car even with such a small drain? i.e. their peak ampage for turnover is insufficient?

It's the PAS pump that eats them up as this consumes the most power from the battery!

P.S. it dosn't matter if the engine is diesel or petrol either as the the power steering pump is the same system on both and he has the electric windows etc!!!!!!

Thought we were talking about starting the car ? What's electric windows and power steering got to do with actually getting the engine cranked over ?

Thought we were talking about starting the car ? What's electric windows and power steering got to do with actually getting the engine cranked over ?

Because the PAS pump eats the battery and therefore you have less "juice" left in the battery when you next want to start the car........

Also mine 1.4 16v petrol Elegance had a 60Ah (ish) battery fitted from the factory and that only just does the job as my car has the smaller outter battery box fitted so I can't fit a bigger capacity than around the 63Ah mark!!!......and it needs it!!!...

Yeah, turning the car over is the problem. However, if there are components that are a big load on an underpowered battery, I would assume that its condition will deteriorate far quicker, and as a result the peak ampage for turn over would become insufficient? Since its max charged capacity is lower.

Also, phoned Skoda earlier and the battery spec for the 1.4 16v is 280A @ 60Ah, which ties in with the post above.

Now onto another issue. The garage that fitted the battery. Since it has been jumped 3/4 times since fitment 10 months ago, it is reasonable to deem the battery as unfit for service and therefore should be replaced with a suitable new battery by the garage in question, correct?

Understanding the Sale of Goods Act Your rights

When you buy goods you enter into a contract with the seller of those goods. Under the Sale of Goods Act 1979 goods must be:

'as described',

'of satisfactory quality', and

'fit for purpose' – this means both their everyday purpose, and also any specific purpose that you agreed with the seller (for example, if you specifically asked for a printer that would be compatible with your computer).

Read more: http://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/sale-of-goods/understanding-the-sale-of-goods-act/your-rights/#ixzz1ihlZjfcf

You are indeed right. If Skoda are quoting the 1.4 16v as 280A @ 60Ah, then they have clearly installed the wrong battery and this is not 'fit for purpose'

Thanks guys. Friendly and helpful responses as always.

Will be back in the summer when I come to buy my own vRS

Fit the biggest size battery you can in the battery holder. This might be a 096, but you would need to measure your holder.