Battery problem or something else?

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Charles C. - 22 Feb 2005 23:19 GMT

Hi

The car is 9000 2.0lt 1997.

It seems that the original battery is dying fast and i must do something
tomorrow. My puzzle is I that unlike other batteries in previous cars
this is dying very fast which makes me think if there is something
draining it ... or there is a problem with the alternator (belt was
replaced a month ago).

Can anyone advice on any procedure for checking the condition of the
battery?

Any idea who manufactured saab batteries before the total take over of
saab by GM? I would not mind another battery that gives 7.5 years of
life :-)

Thanks
Charles

PS. The reason I am saying it is dying fast ...
On saturday I did 140 (imperial) miles.
On Sunday I noticed it had 1/2 or 1 slow revolution before it started
... till tonight when it took 3 slow revolutions for the engine to start.

We have also have had some of our coldest weather during last week (best
time for the battery to give up).

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The Malt Hound - 23 Feb 2005 14:33 GMT

> Hi
>
[quoted text clipped - 24 lines]
> We have also have had some of our coldest weather during last week
> (best time for the battery to give up).

Batteries sometimes go even faster than that. That 7+ year old
battery doesn't owe you anything...

-Fred W

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Pooh Bear - 23 Feb 2005 17:15 GMT

> > Hi
> >
[quoted text clipped - 27 lines]
> Batteries sometimes go even faster than that. That 7+ year old
> battery doesn't owe you anything...

I once had a seemingly fine battery die overnight on me.

Extremes of temperature do seem to accelerate any latent defects.

Graham

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Al - 23 Feb 2005 21:31 GMT

>> > Hi
>> >
[quoted text clipped - 33 lines]
>
> Graham

I heartily concur with Fred and Graham, our NG900 needed a new battery a
couple of weeks ago, with first sign of trouble being completely dead!

Al

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Grunff - 23 Feb 2005 21:59 GMT

> On saturday I did 140 (imperial) miles.

As opposed to metric miles? :-)

> On Sunday I noticed it had 1/2 or 1 slow revolution before it started
> ... till tonight when it took 3 slow revolutions for the engine to start.
>
> We have also have had some of our coldest weather during last week (best
> time for the battery to give up).

Almost certainly just at the end of its life. Replace it with a good
quality battery from your nearest motor factor (even Halfords batteries
are quite good these days). Never forget - a battery costs the same as
1-2 fillups, so don't begrudge your car a new one every now and then.

With the engine running, turn on all the electric stuff (headlights/rear
windscreen heater/fan etc), and measure the voltage across the battery.
As long as it's over 13V, your charging system is fine.

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Grunff

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Charles C. - 24 Feb 2005 02:00 GMT

> Hi
>
[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]
> We have also have had some of our coldest weather during last week (best
> time for the battery to give up).

Thanks for all the replies. It was dead in the morning (pleased that I
predicted that), quick charge and went and got another one.

Charles

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