New Battery Installed but I still have a Low Battery Warning

[TitaniumPie]

I have a Clio Rip Curl 2007 and a few days ago I got a low battery warning. I managed to drive about 5 miles before the radio stopped working so I pulled over and the car would not restart. After 15 minutes of jump charging it started and I got home 2.5 miles later but the lights dimmed, the power steering stopped working and the air bags switched themselves off. There was next to no battery power.

I got a new batter put in yesterday which Halford assure me was fully charged and after no driving yesterday I'm getting more low battery warnings after starting it today. Any idea what can cause this?

[geeks]

That will be a dead alternator then. Off to a garage for you!

[TitaniumPie]

Thanks. Would it cause a problem that fast. How could the battery have drained over night if I did not drive it?

[geeks]

Because your car will have an alarm I assume. However, regardless, you need to get the car looked at. Best guess is the alternator, a garage will confirm one way or an another.

[TitaniumPie]

My car does not have an alarm but if the alternator is not working could that also trigger the low batter warning because if the battery is not charging it will be low in the future?

[geeks]

Yes

[davek_964]

In 99.9% of cars, the low battery warning is nothing to do with the battery. It's alternator output - so even if the battery is fully charged - like your new one is - if the alternator isn't working, you'll get low battery warning.

[dhutch]

Or you have an electrical fault causing a drain.

[davek_964]

dhutch said:

Or you have an electrical fault causing a drain.

Unlikely, since the OP says the problem started while he was driving the car.

[paintman]

Get your alternator tested.

I think your problem was - and still is - a defective alternator, most likely the rectifier diodes as your battery is draining when left.

Worth a quick read: www.knowyourparts.com/technical-resources/starting...

Edited by paintman on Monday 27th September 16:48

[TitaniumPie]

Thanks for the replies. It's going into the garage tomorrow. My money is on the car alternator but we will see.

[Tony1963]

Any news?

[dhutch]

... evidently not....