VW MKIV Golf will not start

[css_jay99]

Hi,

yesterday the the "Alternator Workshop" message came up on the dash.

This morning I rolled down the electric windows and proceeded to take the -ve terminal lead off the battery without actuall turning the Keys in the ignition to off position

I then tried to start the car after placing the -ve terminal lead back and there was no spark or light...

Has the battery just Coincidentally gone or have I blown a major fuse?


css_jay99

[TestMangler]

Hi,

yesterday the the "Alternator Workshop" message came up on the dash.

This morning I rolled down the electric windows and proceeded to take the -ve terminal lead off the battery without actuall turning the Keys in the ignition to off position

I then tried to start the car after placing the -ve terminal lead back and there was no spark or light...

Has the battery just Coincidentally gone or have I blown a major fuse?


css_jay99

If you give me 5 mins, I'll get back to you.

Just phoning the RAC to ask about some clauses in my agency contract.

[administrator]

If you give me 5 mins, I'll get back to you.

Just phoning the RAC to ask about some clauses in my agency contract.

OP - sounds like complete battery death. Thought the central locking system was dying on my motor last winter and then one morning it wouldn't start, was just battery death.

Alternator workshop warning sounds like the alternator may have packed up as well, so battery could be OK but just drained due to alternator not functioning. Sounds like not enough juice in the battery to fry anything I hope.

[PAH]

Yep, most likely a dead/dying battery. Winter kills off any batteries in a poor condition so is the first thing to check when your car suddenly stops starting.

Last time I had battery problems I popped down to Halfords and got a jump starter, which is a battery in a fancy case. Also has a built in tyre inflator and light so pretty useful to having lying around. I kept it in the boot of the car while I got round to replacing the battery (first checking the battery wasn't just drained, by driving around to see if it could hold a charge) so I wasn't stranded while out and about.

Other cause of a flat battery (especially this time of year when you have the lights and heating on a lot more, so if doing lots of short journeys the battery may have just been drained) is the alternator not charging it up properly.

[Clippy]

Surely this thread wins the award for the most un-usual Technical question.

Can't help with your query but I'm sure you'll find your answer here.

Has helped me many a time in the past.

[Support Monkey]

Hi,

yesterday the the "Alternator Workshop" message came up on the dash.

This morning I rolled down the electric windows and proceeded to take the -ve terminal lead off the battery without actuall turning the Keys in the ignition to off position

I then tried to start the car after placing the -ve terminal lead back and there was no spark or light...

Has the battery just Coincidentally gone or have I blown a major fuse?


css_jay99

When the weather turns cold like it has done over the past couple of nights it will kill a dying battery to the point where you cannot even jump them, so always start at the battery and work back, yes i know the alternator light came on but this can be a symptom of the dying battery if its not being charged properly, get another battery or have yours tested properly first before looking any further

[Clippy]

When the weather turns cold like it has done over the past couple of nights it will kill a dying battery to the point where you cannot even jump them, so always start at the battery and work back, yes i know the alternator light came on but this can be a symptom of the dying battery if its not being charged properly, get another battery or have yours tested properly first before looking any further

If you do decide to change the battery, avoid Halfords.

They wanted £120 for a Bosch Silver battery which I picked up for £60 from CostCo.

[Sysman]

If you do decide to change the battery, avoid Halfords.

They wanted £120 for a Bosch Silver battery which I picked up for £60 from CostCo.

Also avoid the likes of Kwik Fit, as they'll probably pronounce both the battery and the alternator dead.

P.S. Have you tried bleeding the radiator?

[css_jay99]

cheers guys
problem looks like some kind of "clutch" on the alternator is gone so garage is checking it out.

Additionally when I took the lead back on the battery, it was not tight enough hence appearance of complete battery dain

I always seem to call out the AA for silly mistakes

P.S. Have you tried bleeding the radiator?

what has that got to do with the battery?



css_jay99