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[fudgee]

Hi Guys.
Can the freezing conditions that we have all been enduring recently cause your car battery to suddenly die on you?
I ask because I was in the mig this morning giving the interior a clean and the radio which I had on suddenly turned off. (engine not on at time)
I tried to start the car and nothing.
All the lights came on the dashboard but the engine made no attempt whatsoever to turn over 
Tried a couple of times and same result.
I then got out and tried to lock the car via the remote fob and that woud'nt work either.
After pressing it over and over again the locks went down a quarter of the way but not properly.
After another couple of attempts they went down a bit further and now my car is secure.
Strangely though the boot still opens perfectly with the remote fob.

Because I don't feel safe driving in the Ice and Snow, the Mig has been sitting outside my house for over a week.
Every day though I have gone out and started the engine and let it tick over for a good ten minutes and reved it a little.
During that time I got no warning lights on the dashboard and at no time did it sound like it was going to cut out.

What I did notice though was that the last couple of times I started it, just for a split second when I turned the key, I got that sluggish sort of moaning sound and then the car fired up fine.
It was literally just a split second as I first turned the key.

Do I just need a jump start thanks to the cold snap or could it be time for a new battery or even a new alternator? 

Thankyou in advance for any replies 

[Lizzie_Zoom]

Hi Guys.
Can the freezing conditions that we have all been enduring recently cause your car battery to suddenly die on you?
I ask because I was in the mig this morning giving the interior a clean and the radio which I had on suddenly turned off. (engine not on at time)
I tried to start the car and nothing.
All the lights came on the dashboard but the engine made no attempt whatsoever to turn over 
Tried a couple of times and same result.
I then got out and tried to lock the car via the remote fob and that woud'nt work either.
After pressing it over and over again the locks went down a quarter of the way but not properly.
After another couple of attempts they went down a bit further and now my car is secure.
Strangely though the boot still opens perfectly with the remote fob.

Because I don't feel safe driving in the Ice and Snow, the Mig has been sitting outside my house for over a week.
Every day though I have gone out and started the engine and let it tick over for a good ten minutes and reved it a little.
During that time I got no warning lights on the dashboard and at no time did it sound like it was going to cut out.

What I did notice though was that the last couple of times I started it, just for a split second when I turned the key, I got that sluggish sort of moaning sound and then the car fired up fine.
It was literally just a split second as I first turned the key.

Do I just need a jump start thanks to the cold snap or could it be time for a new battery or even a new alternator? 

Thankyou in advance for any replies 

To start with that running time, I assume on tick over, was not long enough.  You need to run the engine at normal driving speeds for at least 15 minutes for it to replace the power used on start up.

It certainly sounds as though you have drained the battery, and it may be your battery has chosen this time to expire.

A good battery can cope with cold conditions, but they do undergo a lot of strain when the weather is bad as you use a lot of accessories, lights, wipers, screen heater, etc, and the engine is harder to turn, thus using more power, when it is very cold

Get your battery checked.

[fudgee]

Thanks Lizzie.
I am hoping that your right and a good jump start is all that I need, not a whole new battery.
I did'nt realise that I could drain it just by starting it up and letting it tick over.

you learn something new every day 

[MonzaGSE]

I Would get a battery charger and charge it cause a jump start will start the car but not charge the battery much. Also remember that a drained battery might freeze in cold temperatures and be useless.

[fudgee]

I was going to take it for a good hours drive on the motorway after jump starting it.
Would that charge it up properly?

[MonzaGSE]

Probably not. In my experience the cars generator will struggle to recharge a completely drained battery. Also the batterys effectivity drops in the cold temperature. Plus the engine will be harder to start due to the oil getting thicker in the cold. Add heated setas and windows and the fan to that and you really need a decent charged battery to get started. Dont know the temperature at you guys now, but here in norway its been around -20C for a couple of weeks. I always have to charge my battery with a charger at least once in the winter.

[eliteomegaman]

Had the same thing myself this week 

Couldn't drive it because of the problem i had with the autobox selector & with the freezing temps amongst other factures i've a flat battery 

The other important thing to bear in mind is that when you lock the car the alarm is set & that also drains the battery especially if it isn't driven for a few days!

In the morning i'm going to charge the battery in situ for a few hours to at least put a bit of power back in & then take it for a 'long' drive. Hate forking out for a new battery so hopefully this will do the job 

[Abiton]

I would urge anyone with doubts about their battery or charging system to read Kevin Wood's excellent "How To" thread on the subject.

With a bit of patience, and an inexpensive voltmeter, you can work out which bits - if any - need replacement or overhaul. 

[Auto Addict]

I did fire a warning about car batteries in the General Car Chat a little while ago - with a little care, you can avoid a flat battery.

[Andy B]

.....
 Dont know the temperature at you guys now, but here in norway its been around -20C for a couple of weeks.......

You'd be in shorts & flip flops here then! It's only around zero here at the moment, although it was -8^oC on Thursday morning on my way to work. 

[eliteomegaman]

.....
 Dont know the temperature at you guys now, but here in norway its been around -20C for a couple of weeks.......

You'd be in shorts & flip flops here then! It's only around zero here at the moment, although it was -8^oC on Thursday morning on my way to work. 

Hey Andy you're only round the corner from me & tonight my friend is going to be -8C again! It's the bloody fog all day that's got on my bloody t*ts especially whilst being under a car for nearly 2hrs (re. autobox selector) ..... Brrrrrrr!! 

Andy 

[Andy B]

..... especially whilst being under a car for nearly 2hrs (re. autobox selector) ..... Brrrrrrr!! 

Andy 

Brrrrr! 
I've been in work till 5 so have just seen it from the windows.