Hi. My battery was getting flat during lockdown then we had some big snow and after the snow melted the car was completely flat and nothing came on. Had to use the emergency lock to open the car.

I tried jump starting it but nothing worked. Although one time trying to jump it the wipers moved and the car unlocked but then nothing.

 

I assumed the battery was dead so bought a new one. I have fitted it but still nothing. In fact I've tried two new batteries as when the first one didn't work I sent it back and got sent another new one!

 

When I put the key in and turn it, nothing comes on at all. Dash is all black. I don't know if the original battery was still ok now or not. 

 

I've checked every fuse both in the car and under the bonnet and they're all in good condition and none have blown.

 

Is there anything else I can check before calling out a garage? 

Do the Parking lights / horn work without putting the key in the ignition?

 

What voltage is the old battery at?

 

What voltage is in the new Stop / Start Battery?

 

Did you follow the correct procedure for battery replacement?

 

Thanks, AG Falco

I think from what you say, the old battery will have had it. Sitting for so long with no charge ruins them.

 

When you say that you checked the fuses under the bonnet do you include the fusible links on top of the battery? It's possible one of them has blown in your attempts to jump or change the battery?

19 hours ago, HeavyMetalRich said:

I think from what you say, the old battery will have had it. Sitting for so long with no charge ruins them.

 

When you say that you checked the fuses under the bonnet do you include the fusible links on top of the battery? It's possible one of them has blown in your attempts to jump or change the battery?

 

Oh I didn't know about them, are they in the block connected to the negative terminal? I'll check for that.

2 minutes ago, Skyap said:

are they in the block connected to the negative terminal?

 

That's part of the Stop Start system.

 

What voltage do you have in the new battery?

 

Thanks, AG Falco

23 hours ago, AGFalco said:

Do the Parking lights / horn work without putting the key in the ignition?

No, nothing is working at all.

 

23 hours ago, AGFalco said:

What voltage is the old battery at?

I measured the old battery with a regular DC multimeter at 2.3V but when I got the new battery and the first EPG battery measured 4V and the second 0.3V(!) I was told that I can't measure them with a multimeter because of how they work 🤷

 

23 hours ago, AGFalco said:

Did you follow the correct procedure for battery replacement?

Yes, followed the connection order very carefully as in the car manual.

 

Thanks for the help

 

11 minutes ago, Skyap said:

EPG battery

 

A Good battery will be 12.8 volts or higher.

All the voltages you note are much to low.

 

What batteries did you buy, EFB of AGM?

 

Did you collect the new batteries or were they delivered?

Are / were the new batteries charged when received.

 

Thanks, AG Falco

3 minutes ago, AGFalco said:

 

That's part of the Stop Start system.

 

What voltage do you have in the new battery?

 

Thanks, AG Falco

How do I measure it accurately? I used a multimeter before and the guy at eurocar parts says that won't give an accurate reading. He said that because I returned the first battery when it didn't work and measured 4v and the second when it arrived and was even lower. Are they telling the truth?

 

What do the fuseable links look like? I only checked the fuses in the box next to the battery.

2 minutes ago, AGFalco said:

 

What batteries did you buy, EFB of AGM?

 

Did you collect the new batteries or were they delivered?

Are / were the new batteries charged when received.

Sorry, I meant EFB 😂 both were EFB, as is the original. They were delivered and when I got the second one back and spoke to the manager on the phone he assured me it was tested and ready 12v something.

 

Like I said, he told me measuring with a multimeter won't give an accurate reading with this type of battery but something made me think he was bull****ting me. They were very reluctant to replace the first one delivered when I said it was flat and it took a call to head office and 4 days to get it arranged.

EFB battery on my Fabia III is 4.5 years old and is showing 12.61 volts using a £10.00 multimeter.

 

21 minutes ago, Skyap said:

How do I measure it accurately?

Set the multimeter to Volts DC and place the red probe on the positive battery terminal.

Then place the black probe on the negative terminal and note the reading.

 

Can you test your multimeter on something else like another car battery or an AA battery.

 

 

20 hours ago, HeavyMetalRich said:

fuses under the bonnet

The under bonnet fuse box is a black plastic box just behind the negative battery terminal.

It is a clam shell that opens from the left end if you are at the front of the car.

 

Thanks, AG Falco

Ok. So after some reading seems I can measure the battery voltage with a multimeter but it's the health that needs fancier equipment. Which means both batteries I received are not charged despite them saying they were. I know my multimeter works as I've used it during the week on some circuits for work. Measured 5v and 10v DC supplies fine.

 

I checked the fuses in the box beside the battery, all good, just not sure where the fusible links are.

 

Is it worth getting one of those plug in chargers to charge the battery in the house?

 

15 minutes ago, Skyap said:

Is it worth getting one of those plug in chargers to charge the battery in the house?

No. If the new battery is that bad already is will have suffered some degradation already.

Perhaps take the multi meter with you when you swap the battery for a new one.

 

Could the car have a big short that is killing the new battery?

 

Thanks, AG Falco

Given that the battery companies will not accept a battery returned for warranty if its cell voltage is under I think it was 12.2v on the basis that it has been discharged below the limit where it will be damaged I am amazed that they would send out a battery with such a low cell voltage, even if it were to hold a charge it would not last 5 minutes.

2 hours ago, Skyap said:

What do the fuseable links look like? I only checked the fuses in the box next to the battery.

 

You know, the fuseable links that sit on top of the battery, right he...  Hmm. Where have they gone?!?

 

My apologies, I was obviously thinking of another car. There used to be a large flat block attached to the positive terminal full of fat maxi fuse style fuseable links. They have obviously been discontinued now.

Thanks for the help.

Got it sorted.

My multimeter was fine, measured a neighbour's car who also had an EFB battery and that worked so have requested a return of the second dead battery (0v3 FFS!) From Euro car parts and just got a new one delivered from Halfords. It measured 12v6. Just fitted it and everything works as it should!

 

Bloody euro car parts misleading me, telling me the battery was good and that I couldn't measure it with my multimeter! Can't believe they sent me two dead batteries.

 

Cheers