Car battery problems

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VioletF

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I have a Golf 3 1997 GSX, used mainly for driving around Cape Town, although I sometimes take a longer trip an hour or two outside the city.

Over the weekend the battery died. Jump-starting the car worked, but by the next morning it was dead again. Manually charging the battery didn't work either.

Since it was due for a service anyway, I took the car to my normal mechanic today. I've now been quoted R950 to replace the battery: is this reasonable? Apparently that's the amount provided to him by Midas.

I borrowed a battery from someone else to get around, for today, so obviously I need to replace mine as soon as possible. The idea is to phone around a bit before I go pick up the car, since I might be pressed for time.

Since I don't have mine with me, what size battery would be appropriate for my car? I've been told that Bosch is reputable - what other brands should I consider? Approximately how much can I expect to pay for a good brand?

The dead one is a Willard (which lasted about 4 years), but I can't remember what size ... possibly 436 or something like that?

Thanks!
 
I suggest getting your alternator tested while you're at it...
 
They normally give you about R200 back for your old battery so it should not cost more than R600 in total.
 
Sinbad said:
A decent battery for a golf is around R750...
Any cheaper and you'll probably be looking for a new one in a year's time again.
Click to expand...

+1

I always go with SABAT batteries. They last me around 6 years that's with using the car only 3 days a week.
 
Car Battery

Hello

Just a thought - do you have any form of tracking device on your car?
Maybe a previous owner installed one?
My brother's father-in-law had issues with his BMW (Pre-owned) and it turned out there was a Netstar system
and it's battery had worn out so it was using the car battery for power.
Hope that makes sense?






VioletF said:
I have a Golf 3 1997 GSX, used mainly for driving around Cape Town, although I sometimes take a longer trip an hour or two outside the city.

Over the weekend the battery died. Jump-starting the car worked, but by the next morning it was dead again. Manually charging the battery didn't work either.

Since it was due for a service anyway, I took the car to my normal mechanic today. I've now been quoted R950 to replace the battery: is this reasonable? Apparently that's the amount provided to him by Midas.

I borrowed a battery from someone else to get around, for today, so obviously I need to replace mine as soon as possible. The idea is to phone around a bit before I go pick up the car, since I might be pressed for time.

Since I don't have mine with me, what size battery would be appropriate for my car? I've been told that Bosch is reputable - what other brands should I consider? Approximately how much can I expect to pay for a good brand?

The dead one is a Willard (which lasted about 4 years), but I can't remember what size ... possibly 436 or something like that?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
 
So the consensus is that a new battery will probably be between R500 and R750, which is a little better. :)

Thanks, guys.

Haven't heard about SABAT before, will check it out.

MartyMarts said:
I suggest getting your alternator tested while you're at it...
Click to expand...
Thanks, I did request that when I took the car in. Will make sure when I pick it up.

hislordship said:
Just a thought - do you have any form of tracking device on your car?
Click to expand...
No, neither I nor the previous owner did (and there have been only 2 of us :)).
 
SABAT is the one to get. I have had many in my own cars and the business vans and they are robust and well-made. Tracking devices don't use much current, the spec for the one I have says 14mA.
 
As far as I know Sabat & Willard are both made by Powertech. Nothing wrong with them. Most batteries have a 4-5yr lifespan.

Give autozone a call for a price, they just need the year/make/model info.
 
I only buy Willard. always go for the tried and trusted. never go the cheap route for essential components in your car
 
It always amazes me that people so confidently throw prices around when they are actually clueless as to whats going on :rolleyes:

Different battery sizes are priced differently. The cheapest battery is a 610 and you may find a quality 610 (40 Ah) for about R600. Your car should take a 647 (54 Ah) which is considerably more expensive. R950 is an acceptable price as long as its a quality battery (midas usually stock decent battery's).

These cheap imports are not regulated or SABS approved so they do whatever the hell they please and label them as whatever they want. Dont go for cheap imports, because tho its sized as a 647 it does not have the lead inside it to output 54 Ah. So it looks like a 647, its labeled as a 647, but it performs like a 610.
 
Wasn't able to make it to a battery shop today, so it will have to wait for the weekend. That gives me a little more time to shop around, though. :)

@ Madman88
I've just checked and the battery says Willard 628/629. I guess that means I can get the same size again - or is there an advantage to going for the 647 instead? I sometimes use the lighter port to charge my cell phone, if that makes any difference.

Also, does anyone have an opinion on Spirex? Autozone has them on sale at the moment, according to their website, but I'd rather not go for something that will only last a year.

(Although if I do go for one of the more expensive brands, and after the service today, my bank card just might start crying the next time I touch it.)
 
VioletF said:
Wasn't able to make it to a battery shop today, so it will have to wait for the weekend. That gives me a little more time to shop around, though. :)

@ Madman88
I've just checked and the battery says Willard 628/629. I guess that means I can get the same size again - or is there an advantage to going for the 647 instead? I sometimes use the lighter port to charge my cell phone, if that makes any difference.

Also, does anyone have an opinion on Spirex? Autozone has them on sale at the moment, according to their website, but I'd rather not go for something that will only last a year.

(Although if I do go for one of the more expensive brands, and after the service today, my bank card just might start crying the next time I touch it.)
Click to expand...

That battery may be too small for the capacity of your car. You should be using a 647 to make sure that all the electronics work fine, however a 628 is a 50 Ah battery so I personally cant see 4 Ah making such a big difference. Be careful tho, since some battery suppliers will not honor the guarantee if the battery's capacity is smaller than specified for your car.
If your car has power windows and steering and any kind of aftermarket audio amp then I would suggest you stick to a 647, but if your only added accessory is your cell phone charger then the 628 should be fine.

Spirex is not really a good brand. It serves a purpose in that its cheap. If you really can't afford a quality battery right now, then spirex is the right thing. But then I would always suggest you use the locally made cheap battery - Dixon.
Otherwise I would suggest a Willard/Sabat/Exide/Raylite. Midas, Bosch and Motolec branded batterys are also good quality made in South Africa, tho I'm not sure that Bosch and Motolec would be cheaper.

As far as I know, Autozone should also carry other brands, ask about those.
 
Spirex ain't bad. Had a SABAT that died after two years in my Astra, currently using a Spirex from Autozone and its a year old and starting like a charm.
 
Rouxenator said:
Spirex ain't bad. Had a SABAT that died after two years in my Astra, currently using a Spirex from Autozone and its a year old and starting like a charm.
Click to expand...


So its got a year to go until its as good as the dud Sabat you had?
 
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