Here we go again...

[rogerxp]

I assume the tacker would be the first place to look for battery drain? as on most cars even if they are not activated they can still cause a drain.

Tracker would be my first thought. I don’t use it anyway, don’t want to, and NavTrack(?) haven’t even got in touch since buying the car even after being chased twice! Happy for it to be disconnected (assuming someone knows where it is!)

 

[rogerxp]

Refusing to charge?
Sounds like the battery to me.

Or dud charger but all looks fine with it! My guess it a knackered battery. Hopefully anyway as that’s the easiest fix.

 

[Sam McGoo]

Yuasa have been the main culprit of the damaged cells that I've seen. Although, obviously the majority are fine and they are highly recommended on most forums. Bosch seem to be more reliable, but you'll probably pay a bit more.

 

[Sam McGoo]

Hopefully RAC will shed some light on it for ya.

 

[rogerxp]

Thanks guys. I’ll update you later. My Mum might have to wait for her Birthday present delivery

 

[TimR]

Refusing to charge?
Sounds like the battery to me.

Agreed....something isnt right but as the OP says, the RAC can test the battery to determine if it's goosed. He didnt tell us it wasn't taking a charge 'til now..!

 

[rogerxp]

LOL, I hadn’t realised it wasn’t taking a charge until last minute, but the RAC guy said the charger wasn’t working correctly anyway (all lights on but failing to charge!). Anyway, the RAC confirmed the battery is goosed, but now Tayna being a pain regarding a replacement. I’ve sent them what RAC provided but they want to collect and test the battery anyway. That takes arranging collection, then wait for them to conclude their tests, then awaiting a replacement to be sent. So not “oh it’s knackered - a new one will be with you tomorrow”!!

 

[rogerxp]

Sent these to Tayna but they still want to do their own test!

 

[lifes2short]

Anyway, the RAC confirmed the battery is goosed, but now Tayna being a pain regarding a replacement

Good to know you've established the problem, but I don't quite understand why folk buy things like this on line when you can get batteries at very good prices from euro car parts and other motor factor outlets, not worth all the agro even if you are saving the odd tenner, I've had dud batteries and ones that fail well within warranty period and they get swapped without any quibble when taken back

 

[rogerxp]

Good to know you've established the problem, but I don't quite understand why folk buy things like this on line when you can get batteries at very good prices from euro car parts and other motor factor outlets, not worth all the agro even if you are saving the odd tenner, I've had dud batteries and ones that fail well within warranty period and they get swapped without any quibble when taken back

Wise words indeed but nowhere has the exact specification battery I needed. Halford/RAC/loads of places I searched (didn't try EuroSpares - don't really know who they are) - even asked on here. Tayna were the only place, other than budget **** batteries, that had the same specification as OEM otherwise potentially voiding the warranty upon any electrical claim. Admitted it's a right PITA now.

 

[CatmanV2]

You warranty concerns are over-blown. $0.02 (so not really trying to change your mind)

C

 

[TimR]

I just bought one online- and for the same reasons. Price married with spec .I would have bought locally but not possible given what I wanted, so online it is. No problems. Just bad luck to have got a duff Id say.
Not a very good customer experience though, making you wait . Not good at all IMO....!

 

[conaero]

Tanya do the Exide Premium, I run this battery and its brilliant.

https://www.tayna.co.uk/car-batteries/exide/ea1000/

 

[rogerxp]

Right, update time...

I’ve spoken to Tayna. Very helpful to be fair to them. They’d be staggered if the battery is faulty. Said given the readouts it’s more likely to be a drain on the battery whilst I was away. He said 99% of the ‘faulty’ batteries returned are simply charged and returned (at the cost of the customer) as there’s been nothing wrong with the battery. He said it’s virtually impossible for a battery to drop from 12v to 7v over 4 days without a drain. Said he could pick up a battery from the shelf 3 years later and it would still read more than 10v.

Before speaking to him I had a brainwave. Buy myself a new charger (ctek mxs10), arriving tomorrow thanks to Amazon, and put back the original battery that I still have, and keep charging it and limp around until the Yuasa is returned. At least then I’m back on the road for necessary journeys (when I know I can get a jumpstart at the destination if needed!) plus have a decent charger for future use.

Now I’ve spoken to Tayna, think I’ll try to charge the new battery tomorrow and see how I get on, plus have the conditioner charger to keep things topped up next time I go away for more than a nano-second.

A plan has formed. Ironically the charger was nearly as much as the battery

 

[lifes2short]

Wise words indeed

No one has ever said I speak wisely, must tell the wife Andrew Page supply Yuasa range as well if you have an outlet near you, just in case Tayna mess you about

 

[rogerxp]

No one has ever said I speak wisely, must tell the wife Andrew Page supply Yuasa range as well if you have an outlet near you, just in case Tayna mess you about

My comment was tongue & cheek if that helps to ground you Hadn't thought of Andrew Page; checked and they don't have the right spec. Also, a really frustrating website that won't let me view all batteries, only ones they recommend for my car (neither options are a match - I appreciate other comments pointing out this isn't an issue. Perhaps!). Even searching 'yuasa' renders zero results!!!

 

[Contigo]

******** about the battery being faulty and dropping. Cells fails all the time...

 

[rogerxp]

******** about the battery being faulty and dropping. Cells fails all the time...

Yeah, time will tell. I don’t mind giving him the benefit of doubt, I’ve got 3yr11m warranty remaining! I now know the score and have back-up measures should I have problems again & need to send the battery away.

 

[lifes2short]

so what's the score with these Tanya people regarding returns they reckon are not faulty, are they making you pay for carriage both ways?

 

[rogerxp]

so what's the score with these Tanya people regarding returns they reckon are not faulty, are they making you pay for carriage both ways?

This is their message to me this morning after I emailed them the RAC evidence (just noticed it states 50% are returned that just need charging but they quoted higher on the phone)...

Thank you for your enquiry.

No problem. Please pack the product up securely and let us know a suitable day for collection. We will test the product and if found to be faulty will despatch a replacement.

Please note that all returned batteries must be packaged to a minimum standard to avoid damage and leakage. To achieve this level please follow these steps:

1. Package the battery inside a cardboard box.

2. Ensure the battery itself is plugged as received and wrapped inside a plastic bag (inside the box).

***********************************
PLEASE NOTE: Your battery is wet and MUST BE PLUGGED for transit, as it could spill if tipped on its side. We can post you some plugs if you do not have the original ones. Please respond to this message if you need these and we will send first class.
***********************************

3. Please ensure there is at least 1 inch of packaging around the battery inside the box to help protect against courier damage.

4. Seal the box and write 'This way Up' so it can be clearly seen by the courier.

5. Please be aware that any damage incurred during transit due to poor packaging will render any claim invalid.

As a side note, please perform all necessary checks to ensure that the product itself is definitely faulty (and nothing else could be at fault) before giving a date for pickup because if not faulty you will be responsible for the pickup and return carriage charges.

I suspect that the battery is not faulty, but has been discharged. The lowest voltage a battery can get to by itself is 10.5v, your battery is around 7v, it is impossible for a battery to get to this voltage without being discharged by something on the car.

Bear in mind that 50% of batteries returned to us for testing are just flat and need recharging!