Dead battery??

[gsk82]

Twice in the past 2 days my leon hasn't started. When i stick the key in the lights on the dash come on but as soon as i turn it it the lights go off and the engines completely dead, doesn't even attempt to start. I've been doing 60miles a day on the m62 the last couple of days so it should be getting plenty of charge. When i've stuck on the jump leads its started instantly so the battary can't be that flat can it?

Any ideas what the problem's likely to be?

Cheers

 

[Muttley]

It is the time of year for batteries to die. Cold batteries produce less power and at the same time the demand is higher, lights, heaterand etc. The symptoms sound like a battery at the end of its life - not holding charge. Old batteries often die through mechanical failure, plates falling off and shorting out and etc. Your local Kwik-Fit or near equivalent should be able to test the battery to see if it's on its way out.

Otherwise - just possibly earth straps, but if your attaching jump leads to the batteries it pretty much rules them out.

 

[Avant4me]

Sounds like the battery to me, exactly how mine went in Dec. Put a volt meter across the terminals when the engine is off and a good battery should be at least 11.4 volts. Do it again when the engine is running and it will be more like 15 v. Then you will know it is just your battery and not your alternator or electrical system. Places like a motorfactor will generally check a battery for you for free, in the hope that you buy one from them.