Battery replacement question

[Agrare]

Ok, so i've had the feeling my battery has been on it's way out. About a year and a half ago it was dead one morning and required a jump. It's been ok since (it's possible I left a light on but don't think so) except I notice, especially in winter\cold weather when not driven for a little while it takes a while to turn over.

I don't really drive that often as I take public transportation to work, but I drive it generally twice a week during the week and probably at least once on weekends.

Anyway, last night I had the lights on, engine off for maybe 15-20 minutes and they started to dim. I required a jump to get it started (mainly because the doors auto lock after so long and did so with the keys in so was probably over an hour when I got in, but I could visibly notice the battery going dead after no more than half an hour).

The car is a 2005 mini cooper convertible (purchased in april) the battery is the original

So my question, with the background above do you think it's just an old battery that needs replacing or should I bring it in to have the alternator checked out?

sorry for the long post, just wanted to give all the info, thanks in advance for any advice.

-Agrare

[Moefiz]

Originally Posted by Agrare

Ok, so i've had the feeling my battery has been on it's way out. About a year and a half ago it was dead one morning and required a jump. It's been ok since (it's possible I left a light on but don't think so) except I notice, especially in winter\cold weather when not driven for a little while it takes a while to turn over.

I don't really drive that often as I take public transportation to work, but I drive it generally twice a week during the week and probably at least once on weekends.

Anyway, last night I had the lights on, engine off for maybe 15-20 minutes and they started to dim. I required a jump to get it started (mainly because the doors auto lock after so long and did so with the keys in so was probably over an hour when I got in, but I could visibly notice the battery going dead after no more than half an hour).

The car is a 2005 mini cooper convertible (purchased in april) the battery is the original

So my question, with the background above do you think it's just an old battery that needs replacing or should I bring it in to have the alternator checked out?

sorry for the long post, just wanted to give all the info, thanks in advance for any advice.

-Agrare

If you still have the original battery in there, its about time for a new one..a battery for this car would run you about 87.00(thats what we sell it for)...usually when you get a new battery installed they would check out the entire electrical system for the car to make sure the altanator is charging back up back the battery...

[MaCruz]

https://forum.blu-ray.com/automotive...iy-thread.html

Lets try to keep it all in one thread.

If it's been acting up last year, and all of a sudden it gets cold one morning. The battery can die
instantly.

I have my dealer check my battery every time I take it to service.

[sfmarine]

My car's battery has been all messed up from the cold. It's never had a hesitant start before this season. Your battery is 5 years old so I'd say it's time. You could always throw a volt meter on and see what it's cranking out. 12.5 is a good battery. I'd also look @ the alternator as well.

[Polygon]

Yeah, I would say four years is about average for a battery. It's old and it's been discharged before. Discharging a battery isn't a good thing and can cause them to not hold a charge as well. I've even seen batteries not hold a charge at all after a full discharge. The fact that it's cold is only making the situation worse.