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MG MGF Technical - Embarrasing question number 92

Hi everyone,

My battery died last night - I drove home at 7.30pm, by 9.00pm no charge - overnight recharge looked OK, so I refitted the battery and the car started OK. I then went to clean up & shower for work, and by the time I returned to the car - no charge left to crank the engine, would you believe!

So, I need to replace the battery but - doh - I forgot to note the details re. Amp/hours etc. Could someone drop me a line with this information? Many thanks!
P Hudson

It may be that you don't need a new battery just yet (although replacement does sound like a sensible thing to do now). When you started the car, I presume you switched it off straight away?

Of course the battery should have kept sufficient charge to restart the engine after an over-night charge, but then you had subjected the battery to a heavy load, and didn't give it time to re-charge from the alternator.

So, yes, your battery may need replacing (your local motor factor will have the relevant look-up sheets to check which battery you need - and I'd recommend you get the VVC battery even if you have an MPi), but you could be being a little premature.

Another good idea is to check the level of distilled water in the cells - these levels have been noted to fall, even in sealed, no maintenance battery types...
Rob Bell

It's not the acpacity you need to worry about, it's the size, I think it's an 065, but anywhere selling battries should be able to look it up for you.
Will Munns

Ah yes, the old 'size' versus 'capacity' conundrum ;-)

Thanks for the advice... I did try to get the caps off the cells to check the water levels, but as it was quite late last night, and trying to remove the battery with a spanner in one hand and torch in the other didn't improve my mood, I must admit I reached "sod it" stage.

I will entrust myself to the wisdom of the man at Halfords.
P Hudson

>>I will entrust myself to the wisdom of the man at Halfords. <<
Halfords can be the most expensive place to buy stuff !
Shop around - even main dealers can undercut Halfords on batteries.
Both my Seats needed batteries in the last year, and Autobits in Farnham supplied batteries off the shelf for about 25quid in each case. If you pay more then make sure you get a full maintenance free make - such as Varta - with at least a 3 or 4 year warranty.

Steve
Steve

Thanks, Steve, I will phone round...
P Hudson

If your looking for batteries try Makro - there's one close to you in Reading.

I paid £19.95 (+ VAT) for a heavy duty sealed for life battery. A similar battery was over £60.00 in Halfords.

Bought it back in January and it's been excellent despite the fact that the car often sat without being started for periods of up to 3 weeks over the winter months.

Dave
Dave

Ooh, didn't think of them...
P Hudson

This thread was discussed on 30/05/2003

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