Chunky.monkey

Hi everybody, I'm a new scooby owner (purchased 2 weeks ago) its an 04 plate wrx. I have a problem with battery discharching, it won't keep charge long enough to start the next day. I've not got it taxed and on road yet so not sure if I will need a new battery?. I've read a few posts on here about trackers, alarms and smart alternators but not seen anything definitive. Does anyone have any advice for me?. By the way, i believe it has an RAC trackstar fitted.
Thanks in anticipation

Hawkeye D

When you start the car, are you noticing an alarm "chirp" a split second of the alarm sounding basically. If so, the battery is toast and needs replacing.

I got a brilliant Varta battery (and for my Passat too) £68 delivered, so not too bad. Easy to fit etc, the Passat was harder.

fat-thomas

iTrader: (4)

Not really correct, the chirp is indicating the battery is low,but this could be due to something draining it,not necessarily dead.

Chunky.monkey

Yeah, when I try and start it does make a noise like alarm and don't seem to have enough in it to turn it over. I've had the battery on a slow trickle off the vehicle and have ordered a cigarette lighter plug in voltage display to keep an eye on battery. I should add that when I took the battery out there was some crystal like dried salt around the top and the plastic tray underneath was wet!.
Does this add anything significant to the issue?.

Hawkeye D

The salt like stuff is corrosion. You may want to clean the terminals and the connections and see if that helps.

The wetness could be a leak. Not rain water no? Whatever, clean out the battery tray etc.

Once re connected, get some grease and smear over the terminals, this stops the furry corrosion build up. You don't need loads for each terminal, just a good blob on the end of your finger.

Chunky.monkey

Checked battery again this morning and absolutely nothing, not even enough to use button on key fob (it was approx 3v!!). Jump started it off another car and went for a drive with side lights on. On return checked it with engine running and alternator under load and it was nearly 13v wich I'm guessing is ok. I checked the battery discharge through multimeter and it was 00.22 amps, does this sound about right or excessive?.
Any further advice guys?

Norman Dog

iTrader: (1)

Just buy a new battery. Yours is fooked.

Mine was doing exactly the same thing over xmas.

fawor

iTrader: (3)

alternator or battery both easy but alternator more expensive, check alternator even 0.4V less charge would uncharge Your battery quick
bosch silver was 55 at eurocarparts

Chunky.monkey

Hi fawor do the Bosch batteries have a part number?. I tried typing in Bosch silver in the website and nothing came up?.!

Scoobyslammed

Charging at just under 13V!!!

Alternator has had it then! Should be charging at 14V...

fat-thomas

iTrader: (4)

Hold up,the impreza uses a smart charge system.
Try measuring again with side lights on

Beastie

iTrader: (2)

Seems to me, you need to charge your battery fully with a charger before you right off the battery. Driving to work isn't going to replace the charge lost if the battery is already flat.

My tracker will drain my battery in 2 weeks from full charge, and so I always have my car on a battery maintainer when not in use. Same for my last STi.

Of course your battery may be on the way out, but as said the tracker will be slowly sucking the charge out of it unless you use it daily.

Scoobyslammed

He wrote tested underload...
Presume that means with things switched on?
Read it all again...