mozzaITA

Hi all,

I dont get to use my car very often and the other week after 2 weeks of no use the car had to be jumpstarted to get her going, After a whole weekend of use and long runs according to the turbo timer the battery was only at 14.5 volts whilst driving which i thought was low. After leaving the car for a further week the car started but yesterday it was dead again.

Thinking the battery is tired now and i know it dont help the amout of use it gets but is it worth changing the battery? if so what for?


P.s My car is a sti v4 type R

Thanks

D

JonMc

iTrader: (51)

The voltage you'll see while the car is running is more like the voltage that the alternator is charging at, and 14.5 volts seems spot on, so your charging circuit is fine.

Have you checked that the battery is topped up, they do need (distilled) water if they are not sealed. I had exactly the same issues and after £60 (halfords calcium battery with trade discount), I can no leave the car for weeks and it will still start first time. Saves me a fortune on the trickle charger.

mozzaITA

Thanks john, i just jump started her and its fine now will use it all weekend and then who knows when.....

Feel sad that its come to this but to sell her i would be lost without a powerfull car, it puts a big smile on my face when i do drive it.

oh well

JonMc

iTrader: (51)

Batteries only last for a finite time anyhow. Get a new battery, the halford ones are good, and if you're local (watford, north london area) I'll get you it at trade.

I only do about 1500 miles a year and my car doesn't get out every weekend.

joz8968

iTrader: (13)

Mine could do with replacing as it only runs at 13.5V (and could well be 15yrs old, although unlikely). If I were to top up the cells with distilled water, would that make the battery run at 14.5-15V again, or would it be best to simply stump up for a new one...

...Does anyone know what the correct Halfords-own battery code is for a MY1993 JDM WRX? Also, Halfords normally do a dearer 'long life' version - what's its code too?

JonMc, do you have the long life one fitted to your New Age?

JonMc

iTrader: (51)

The battery I fitted to my newage was the HCB005 I think, and yes, it was the calcium long life one.

I don't work in Halfords, so I can't get the battery number for the classic, I just happened upon a trade card as a perk of my current job

joz8968

iTrader: (13)

Thanks for the reply.

If Halfords list a battery code for the UK Classic Impreza Turbo 2000 in their battery reference booklet, do you know if that will suffice for the JDM Classic WRX too?

D1CCY

Pretty sure they're all the same. I have HCB005 in Blob STi replacing the pathetic OE battery. BTW the OE Ford battery in my 10 year old Fiesta runabout is original and still going strong, suspect this is exceptional.

JonMc

iTrader: (51)

No it's not, it's just that subaru batteries are cr@p

WRX_Dazza

yeah mate they are the same, except the woman behind the counter told me they were different!!! i told her not to worry, my mistake, i do have a uk 2000 (just incase there was a warranty issue with it) not sure she believed me though!! hahaha

2 years later its still starting strong!! (also there is a slightly smaller, as in less hign battery they do, which is ideal for FMIC scoobs, as there is more clearance for the pipework, over the terminals.

change it, before you get stuck somewhere!!!!

joz8968

iTrader: (13)

Cheers for the replies guys.

Dazza, are either of those Halfords batteries modern maintenance-free ones, or do they have the electrolyte cells with distilled water in

JonMc

iTrader: (51)

The calcium one is definately maintenance free, just been out to the car and checked

joz8968

iTrader: (13)

Excellent. Cheers. Are we talking c.£50 or more like £75+ ?

JonMc

iTrader: (51)

Full price is £82, every now and again they have them on sale for around £70, and trade is about £60 if you know anyone who has a trade card

Not sure the trip to Watford would be worthwhile for you to save £20

joz8968

iTrader: (13)

Right. Just hooked up a voltmeter to my existing battery...

Engine off... 12.7V
Engine idling (with no accessories on)... 13.7V

Idling, it should be more like 14.5-15V, shouldn't it?

Is it worthwhile replacing the battery - it was fitted 64k miles ago? (that said - and putting aside my sticking starter - it fires up first time, every time). Also, I do drive with the sidelights on to cause the alternator's 'smart' charging circuitry to always be working, too.