damn battery...again

[Shadow]

alright, how quickly does a 6month old battery take to die?
i haven't used the car in about two weeks (uni exams and all) but the battery is new and installed from the 30/6.

do they die that quickly without use or have i got something draining it?
and it was completly dead, didn't even light up the dash thingymajig lights (the oil symbol, battery symbol ones) even a tinsy bit.

i jump started it and drove for about 20minutes before it had to get turned off for about an hour. after that it barely lit up those same dash lights at all(as in very, very faint).
after jumping it again i took it for a good drive and we'll see what happens tomorrow.

and i suppose i should mention, if you see a brand new (<1000km) black mazda 6, wave. he jump started me the second time it died.

Cheers,
Shadow

[Craig]

What battery did you put in? Might help people diagnose the problem. Also do you have an alarm?

[Casey]

My SP was stuck in the garage for 5 weeks while we were over in Europe. Started first go - definately turning over a little slower then normal but it was never in doubt that it was going to start. Original battery still - 4 years and 9 months young, car was locked and immobilised the entire time.

Tyres still had the correct pressures too

[Garry]

Sounds like somethings a bit wrong there, even if you leave your car for a few weeks a flattish battery should still light up the dash warning lights. Though batteries can just fail overnight sometimes because of a collapsed cell. Your battery should have at least 12 months warranty. Take the car back to the battery retailer and get them to check your electrical system and especially the charging system. A 20 minute drive with a correctly functioning charging system should put enough juice back into a working battery to at last try to turn the starter motor.

One thing to check for is a worn headlight switch. Sometimes the high beams can come on while the car is parked without the lights going up. A guy on here had a similar problem a few weeks ago. Do a search.

[bruce]

Could just be an old stock battery, or the battery has failed. Like Garry said, take it back and let them check as it should still be under warranty.

[green_comet]

i would take your car to an auto electrician, and get him to check it all out.. I recon your have a leak somewhere..

[Andy Wana]

A little OT, but can anyone recommend me which batteries are best for the MX5?
It'd be good to know for future references since I am still pretty new to this car.

If there's an existing thread on this, just point it out to me

[Juffa]

A little OT, but can anyone recommend me which batteries are best for the MX5?
It'd be good to know for future references since I am still pretty new to this car.

If there's an existing thread on this, just point it out to me

Search and ye shall find, for example

http://www.aus-cartalk.com/viewtopic.ph ... ht=battery

J

[4sfed5]

I thought the glass mat batteries used un MX5's dont like being \"hard charged\" from flat...they require a trickle charger to get them up to voltage before you try and put them in the car and charge them off the alternator.I read you can permanently damage the battery if you jumpstart and hard charge a glass matt battery???

[Benny]

One thing I've discovered with MX-5 batteries, after having owned 3 of them, is that if you use the car every couple of days or so, the battery can last up to 15 years!
If you only use it every couple of weeks, you can get less than 6 months out of a battery.
If you aren't going to use it for a few days, it would help to get yourself a small trickle charger and use it on the battery when the car isn't being used.
It will not only prevent your battery going flat, but will give it a much longer life too.

Don't use a normal lead-acid battery in an MX-5, as the fumes could rust out part of your boot.

[green_comet]

I have a Delkor 22NF-330D, im running exactly the same setup as per the link.. It hasnt skipped a beat in nearly 2 years, and only cost me $110..

I really recommend this setup..

here you go: http://www.mx5.com.au/sa/Club_News/battery_article.htm

[sabretooth]

You have either excessive dark current drain, or a light was left on. If it's a simple \"battery not holding sufficient charge\" problem then you'd at least get -some- lighting, or a functioning radio. Something drained that thing flat.

[Shadow]

just for the record it's a Federal battery from Mania and there is no alarm.

took the car to the auto electrician this morning (after another jump) and he ran through the diagnostics. nothing wrong with the alternator and no drain when off. plus some other tests which i can't remember what he called. basically checked most of the electrics.
his diagnosis: Dudd battery.

will hopefully be able to change it for a new one with mania.
so, untill then now all i need to do is convince my mum to let me borrow her car for a few days...