[leigh-b]

Evening all,
Since purchasing my RS 3 months ago, the battery has required a few charges. I assumed it was because I parked it up for several weeks at a time.
i bought a Ctek charger so I could top it up once a week.

Went to drive it today, Ctek showing all good, ignition came on as normal, dash etc all good, pushed the button to start and just got the ’clicks’………never even sounded like trying to start.

i need to put the meter on tomorrow and see what I’ve got and then try jumping it before I purchase another battery.

car is 2018 so I’m assuming first battery.

Thoughts? Battery failure?

regards

Leigh

 

[Andy]

The battery needs to be properly tested, not just a voltmeter which gives a basic volt reading but won't show how the battery reacts under load.

 

[telegraphroad]

Check battery voltage with all loads off then turn on ignition and main beam. If you don't have the best part of 12V with ignition and main beam on then it's usually time for a new battery. I reckon on 5-8 years for an oem battery depending on use so a bit early to need a replacement unless you have aftermarket alarm / dash cam etc.

 

[the radman]

mines an 18 plate and has spent most of its time on a ctek and the battery packed up a few weeks back ive still not got round to buying a new one yet

 

[JohnD]

Had to replace mine after just over 4 years.
It had totally flattened a couple of times due to the bl**** Mountune handset not switching itself off (Cobb handset users take note!) and that obviously didn't do it a lot of good and combined with the fact there are a number of 'live' circuits to support, meant its days were numbered, despite using a Ctek on occasions.
It may be a very large battery but it's anticipated life span is quite poor, in my opinion.

JohnD

 

[the radman]

i suppose as long as they last the 3yr warranty period then thats all they are bothered about,unless you were smart and took the 5 yr one,how much extra was the 5yr?

 

[nilagin]

If the cars stood around with little use last year during lockdown, alot of batteries seem to have suffered. My car sat for several weeks, then I would give it a run once a week, but it took about a month or so of use when I went back to work, before the stop / start began working again instead of showing as unavailable. As to why the Ctek's aren't maintaining a charge, I have no idea. My car was 4yrs old last September, battery seems fine still, it was a bit low on charge and Stop / Start unavailable again, after sitting for about a week unused over Christmas, but a couple of 1/2hr drives and it's all good again.

 

[nilagin]

i suppose as long as they last the 3yr warranty period then thats all they are bothered about,unless you were smart and took the 5 yr one,how much extra was the 5yr?

I paid around £340 in September 2017 for the 5yr warranty, but I think it went upto something like £480 a few months later.

 

[JohnD]

So that's £240 per year. Two batteries worth!

JohnD

 

[Gareth350]

They certainly don't seem to last these days, all the tech & stop /start tech seems to be very hard on batteries.

I remember back in late 2011, I didn't use or start the mk2 for 6 months, (2 & 1/2 years old) we had very cold weather & snow (car kept outside) expecting it to be flat as a pancake, it started straight away!

 

[leigh-b]

Thanks for the replies, picked a new battery up from Halfords tonight, 5 year warranty and only £90 with my Trade Card 👍🏻

 

[the radman]

which one was it? ill have to get mine

 

[leigh-b]

There is only one available for the RS when I put my plate in 👍🏻

 

[the radman]

lets hope its right then, last time i did that at halfords for my focus st for some brake pads when i got home and opened them they were totally wrong

 

[leigh-b]

Halfords EFB110 Start/Stop EFB 12V Car Battery 5 Year Guarantee

 

[JohnD]

They certainly don't seem to last these days, all the tech & stop /start tech seems to be very hard on batteries.

I remember back in late 2011, I didn't use or start the mk2 for 6 months, (2 & 1/2 years old) we had very cold weather & snow (car kept outside) expecting it to be flat as a pancake, it started straight away!

Isn't the first thing you do after starting the car is switch off the stop/start?
Switching off the stop/start was an option on the MSD map I have and I took that up (along with the soppy and annoying green eco change up reminder!) without hesitation.

JohnD

 

[nilagin]

Isn't the first thing you do after starting the car is switch off the stop/start?
Switching off the stop/start was an option on the MSD map I have and I took that up (along with the soppy and annoying green eco change up reminder!) without hesitation.

JohnD

I never turn mine off, if I am going to be stationary in traffic for awhile, the engine may as well be off, for short periods of time, I'm in gear with my foot on the clutch waiting to pull away, so the stop/start won't work anyway.

 

[the radman]

Halfords EFB110 Start/Stop EFB 12V Car Battery 5 Year Guarantee View attachment 853863

thanks, i just checked and its showing the same one for me too, it looks like its slightly more powerful than the orig ford one also.
so ill get one with my trade card too,the 5yr guarantee will do me

 

[Vorgem]

No warranty will cover the battery if it sulphates. My RS battery is the original and it is 5 years old since the build date of the car. You need to make sure you use a battery charger that supports AGM batteries as the higher maintenance voltage is also needed for the EFB battery. I use a Cetek on the AGM setting and when I use my RS the start stop works as soon as the engine warms up. Once I know it is working I switch it off, just lets me know for certain that the battery is fully charged. I no longer have the car starts and cuts out a few meters later which used to randomly plague the car even after a 20 or 30 mile run.

 

[the radman]

i cant remember which setting mine was on, ill have to check it