My Rover 200 doesn't start in the cold! Battery is flat! Why?
Answers:
Sounds like you're battery is very old and needs replacing. The electrolytes inside deteriorate after time. Generally, good quality batteries last at least 5 years before they need replacing. You might also want to check that the alternator is charging properly. Quick check to do this is at night - turn head lights on with car facing a wall. Press the accelerator from idle and you should see the lights increase in brightness slightly. If so, all is ok with alternator.
Because it's a Rover 200!!
your acid levels too low or you need a new battery!!
As batteries get older the can't keep the charge so well - same thing happens with rechargeable batteries inc your moby phone battery. Get it replaced when it's serviced.
It does sound like your battery is bust - but leave it until after the service. It will be a good test of your garage to see if they are doing the job properly.
battery, alternator or regulator get them tested
If your getting it services tomorrow, the guys who service it should tell you what is wrong with it. If its an old battery, maybe it has just ran out of steam and can't hold a charge for very long. It could be that your car is not re charging the battery properly. I had a diesel Clio and for some reason the alternator was draining all the power form my battery, crazy but true!
The battery is probably old , and the cold weather is causing it to fail even more . Buy a new good quality battery and also get a charging check carried out on your vehicle . You may find that the alternator is not charging properly too.
Your alternator may not be connected, or your battery may be f**ked, check alternator first. good luck, car's are a pain in the butt.
Batteries efficiency is related to temperature,on a normal day say 20 c the battery will maybe work at 100% efficiency,if the temp drops,to sat 0 c so will the efficiency,this is why batteries are rated for performance at set temps,i would think your battery is on its last legs and can cope when warm but fails cold
as Kevin said its a rover so therefore the only thing it could be is the battery possibly a dead cell this would run the battery down overnight
you need a naw battery as the cold weather will make it slow down they only have a short lifespan
could be duff battery,would also get charging rate on the alternator checked, (this charges the battery) also check alternator belt is adjusted properly.
charge the battery to full (slow charge) now put on car and check the voltage (a cheap meter is all you need and can save you loads of trouble) now start the car and check the voltage while running the car you should have a higher voltage than when stood if so alternater is fine and battery is buggerd if if not battery is fine and alternater is up the swanny (buggerd)
Just bare in mind the alternater may be sound in summer but in winter you have more trimming on like the rear window heater, fan, lights etc turn them all on and you should still have more voltage than when the car is stood hope this helps
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