I had a break down the other day, :orb_sad: Due to All electrical power just vanishing from the car (No lights in or out of the car, No gauges working Rev counter stuck at 2000rpm, Also loss of power) The belts are tight and in good condition. The battery seems to go flat if any electical item left on (Even Stereo standby light is enough)

When starting the car the battery light stays on, until reved.

Is it possible that the battery is dead/Dying? Would it cause the problems i'm having?

Any input gratefully recieved

:orb_cool:

It's an octy 19 sdi (y)

Alternator / battery. But more likely alternator.

I'd have thought battery rather than alternator, since when my alternator failed (with a bang) I got no symptoms other than the charge light until the charge dropped far enough to take out the ABS and ASR computers. Even then the rev counter still worked (TDi).

Where you driving when it broke down, or were you parked and it wouldnt start?

Sounds like the alternator (or a really really dead battery!), as if you started and drove the car on a duff battery why would it suddenly cut out, unless the alternator wasnt charging it and it had finally drained all of its charge.

Personally i'd just change the battery anyway. People always scrimp on them for some reason. If it still wont work, recon the alternator.

Yoyu can get a batter check done

Most FOC too

They can also check the charge from the alternator , so can check on that too

Could be worth getting checked

Both me and Mark have had batteries fitted on our Fabia and Octavia in past 2 weeks

Its the cold Brrr

Sarah

From what I've read on here, a duff alternator can kill a decent battery, so you get a double dose of woes.

The alternator overcharges the battery (Over a Pound a litre, more than overcharging!) [sorry... ] so that it can no longer hold a charge, then your alternator stops charging all together and you end up with needing both!

If you know someone even half handy with a soldering iron, the regulator is less than a fifth the price of a new alternator and as that's the bit that goes wrong most of the time - and every time when there's a charging fault - you can spend a bit more on a decent battery

Cheer up Chick, it happened and now it's not happening; and it can be mended

thanks everyone, I had the battery checked and it is only storing charge in 2 of the 6 parts, so i think it is the battery. I was driving when it happened. Since then i've turned everything off that i don't need and it seems to be ok. Only thing is now i have to wrap up loads

Yes, a new battery would be a good idea :P If the battery is anything over 5 years old, it'll start to deteriorate.

Did they check the charge rate of the alternator too, out of interest?

No just the battery was checked, They told me that i was lucky to be able to start the car with the condition of the battery. Oh well looks like it's money i'll have to spend.

Anyone know of a cheap place for batteries? I found an 096 For £55

Anyone beat that?

have you got a battery charger if so charge the battery up and watch the omm counter to see how its going, when its charged stick it back in the car and leave it running for 15 minutes. if by then the car conks and battery is flat again you know its the alternator, if it doesnt and youve not lost the lights/power steering etc then you know its not the battery. if you charge the battery and it wont start i think it will point ot the obvious.

Try your local trade motor factors (they supply garages) for your battery.

I hope the place you had your battery tested topped up the electrolyte levels with distilled water for you? That can make a big difference to how your battery performs.