What could be wrong with my car?

[spanglechick]

Ah OK. If you can get hold of a battery that you know works though (not necessarily a brand new one either - sometimes they sit around on a shelf for ages slowly running down) might be worth a try

If you need a new battery though, don't go to Halfords or somewhere shit like that, go to a local motor factor, twill be loads cheaper

thing is, i haven't the flexibility at work to get out and try any of this stuff - nor can i easily get to any garages.

I'm going to have to call a mechanic and ask them to do it.

 

[_pH_]

thing is, i haven't the flexibility at work to get out and try any of this stuff - nor can i easily get to any garages.

I'm going to have to call a mechanic and ask them to do it.

Hope you get it sorted

 

[trashpony]

My old car didn't have any warning lights about the alternator, nor did it seem to decline gradually - it just went one day. I was doing lots of short trips in London too and tbh you don't really notice not so bright headlights.

 

[Stanley Edwards]

Personally...

This is what I would do (in a chance taking Dr House stylee). Assuming your car is still at work, call a motor factors from work for a new battery. If you don't manage to catch the delivery and talk them into fitting it, get a willing colleague to help. Car fixed. Unless it has some hereto undiagnosed problem.

Actually, in real life, that is exactly what I would do. A £30 gamble and you probably need a new battery regardless.

 

[trashpony]

Personally...

This is what I would do (in a chance taking Dr House stylee). Assuming your car is still at work, call a motor factors from work for a new battery. If you don't manage to catch the delivery and talk them into fitting it, get a willing colleague to help. Car fixed. Unless it has some hereto undiagnosed problem.

Actually, in real life, that is exactly what I would do. A £30 gamble and you probably need a new battery regardless.

Yeah, I'd probably do that too. Be girly and feeble and they'll probably do it for you. You don't want grease down your nails

 

[spanglechick]

how hard is it to fit a new battery, and do they come ready-charged?

[/embarrassingly silly questions]

 

[_pH_]

how hard is it to fit a new battery, and do they come ready-charged?

[/embarrassingly silly questions]

Easy & yes

You need something like a 10mm spanner to do the nuts on the terminals, that's about it

 

[Stanley Edwards]

My old car didn't have any warning lights about the alternator, nor did it seem to decline gradually - it just went one day. I was doing lots of short trips in London too and tbh you don't really notice not so bright headlights.

Usually an alternator would fade slowly. They can go without notice mind. However, a new battery is often recommended with a new alternator and a fully charged new battery would at least keep you running about for a few days until you found a cheap mechanic/mate to test the alternator.

It's those little plastic bits what melt I'll never understand.

 

[spanglechick]

Yeah, I'd probably do that too. Be girly and feeble and they'll probably do it for you. You don't want grease down your nails

I'll be teaching - unless it's lunchtime, when i'll be auditioning year 9 for 'Annie'. i won't see them - in fact i'll be bloody lucky if anything delivered actually gets to me (today's other hassle, involving a parcel reception signed for a week ago, but appeared to be lost...)

 

[_pH_]

I'll be teaching - unless it's lunchtime, when i'll be auditioning year 9 for 'Annie'. i won't see them - in fact i'll be bloody lucky if anything delivered actually gets to me (today's other hassle, involving a parcel reception signed for a week ago, but appeared to be lost...)

Only give them a part in Annie if they can change a car battery

 

[spanglechick]

Easy & yes

You need something like a 10mm spanner to do the nuts on the terminals, that's about it

urk - is that like a socket set??? - or would there be one in a socket set????

edit - i've got a socket set!

 

[spanglechick]

Only give them a part in Annie if they can change a car battery

lulzapalooza!

 

[_pH_]

urk - is that like a socket set??? - or would there be one in a socket set????

Socket set would be better yep, or adjustable spanner (but they're a bit fiddly)

 

[Looby]

I'll be teaching - unless it's lunchtime, when i'll be auditioning year 9 for 'Annie'. i won't see them - in fact i'll be bloody lucky if anything delivered actually gets to me (today's other hassle, involving a parcel reception signed for a week ago, but appeared to be lost...)

I'd kill to be in Annie.

But I can't change a car battery.

I can't sing.

And I'm 29.

Life is so harsh.

 

[spanglechick]

I'd kill to be in Annie.

But I can't change a car battery.

I can't sing.

And I'm 29

Life is so harsh.

ahh - it's a a hard knock life...

 

[_pH_]

urk - is that like a socket set??? - or would there be one in a socket set????

edit - i've got a socket set!

Sorted then

Loosen the nuts on both terminals (no need to undo completely) and prise the terminals off (don't let the wrench touch the other terminal while you're doing this unless you like sparks n smoke )

There'll be a strap or bracket or something holding the battery in the tray - undo this.

Lift battery out

Put new battery in and replace strap/bracket thing

Reconnect battery terminals - RED TO POSITIVE, BLACK TO NEGATIVE (that bit's quite important)

Start car

Drive round at excessive speed, playing music VERY loudly, gesticulating wildly to other road users

e2a: if you've got a bit of emery paper, clean the inside of the terminals before refitting and smear in vaseline once refitted

 

[spanglechick]

ok - next thing. what kind of company do i need to phone to get them to bring me a battery at work?

do they do it the same day?

are all batteries the same size?

 

[_pH_]

ok - next thing. what kind of company do i need to phone to get them to bring me a battery at work?

do they do it the same day?

are all batteries the same size?

A quick google for 'motor factors herne hill' leads here:

Brockwell Motor Colours Ltd
41, Norwood Rd, London, SE24 9AJ
Tel: 020 8671 9919

(is that near you??)

They should deliver same day (most deliver to local garages etc. usually within an hour or 2)

Or try in yellow pages under 'motor factors' or 'car and commercial vehicle parts'

You'll need to tell them the make/model/year/fuel type of the car, they should be able to work which one to supply (batteries are generally all about the same size, but it needs to be the right power i.e., enough amps)

 

[spanglechick]

A quick google for 'motor factors herne hill' leads here:

Brockwell Motor Colours Ltd
41, Norwood Rd, London, SE24 9AJ
Tel: 020 8671 9919

(is that near you??)

They should deliver same day (most deliver to local garages etc. usually within an hour or 2)

Or try in yellow pages under 'motor factors' or 'car and commercial vehicle parts'

You'll need to tell them the make/model/year/fuel type of the car, they should be able to work which one to supply (batteries are generally all about the same size, but it needs to be the right power i.e., enough amps)

but they do deliver to stranded teachers in schools?

sorry - i know "phone them and see" is the actual answer to that, i just don't want to sound like a total bimbo.

 

[_pH_]

but they do deliver to stranded teachers in schools?

sorry - i know "phone them and see" is the actual answer to that, i just don't want to sound like a total bimbo.

I don't see why not, I only put that bit in to show how often most motor factors deliver to their local area during the day iyswim

Prolly want paying up front by c/card first, but ask for a discount!!!! (they usually give huge discounts from list price to account customers so can afford to do a bit of discount for you )

 

[WouldBe]

Loosen the nuts on both terminals (no need to undo completely) and prise the terminals off (don't let the wrench touch the other terminal while you're doing this unless you like sparks n smoke )

Undo Negative first then positive.
Do up Positive first then negative.

You can get good sparks if the wrench touches the car body as well if you do it the wrong way round.

 

[Looby]

What happened spangles?

 

[_pH_]

What happened spangles?

 

[spanglechick]

What happened spangles?

lulz, pH

Well, i phoned a couple of numbers, but no one wanted to bring me a battery - and I realised it was going to be dark by the time i finished work, so i called a mechanic recommended by a colleague, and he recovered the car and fitted a new battery (as well as testing the alternator) for £70 (for cash).

I'm happy with that. If i'd had time, I could have done it myself, but this was extraordinarily easy, and a great service.

Thanks all for your help.

 

[Looby]

lulz, pH

Well, i phoned a couple of numbers, but no one wanted to bring me a battery - and I realised it was going to be dark by the time i finished work, so i called a mechanic recommended by a colleague, and he recovered the car and fitted a new battery (as well as testing the alternator) for £70 (for cash).

I'm happy with that. If i'd had time, I could have done it myself, but this was extraordinarily easy, and a great service.

Thanks all for your help.

Cool, glad it's sorted. 70 quid's not bad.

 

[trashpony]

Cool, glad it's sorted. 70 quid's not bad.

That's not bad at all - a battery's about 40 quid anyway

Glad it's all sorted and the spanglemobile's back on the road

 

[_pH_]

£70 sounds OK, glad you got it sorted spangles

 

[Stanley Edwards]

...he recovered the car and fitted a new battery (as well as testing the alternator) for £70 (for cash).
...

Bargain for London. I'd keep his number on the dashboard if I was you

 

[Ms T]

For future reference, I really recommend A&M motors in Herne Hill - they're on Railton Road just round the corner from the station as you head towards Brixton.