After a tune up the other day I picked the car up from the mechanic and rfound I had a flat battery! Jump started and got the car home.
Went to do some trouble shooting this morning and couldn't start the car cos the battery was flat. So while I'm sitting here waiting for the battery to charge, I thought I'd see if anybody has any ideas. I suspect the battery isn't being charged properly as for the last month the generator light stays on for about 5min after starting. Revs don't make any difference, it goes out when it feels like it. Any suggestions about what's causing this?
I also think my battery needs replacing as it was second hand when I got it about two years ago.
What are people's suggestions regarding batteries-brand,type, no. of plates etc. Do you need the recessed terminal style of battery or will a regular battery fit in a type 3? I am willing to spend for good quality.

I just like those ones you dont put water in.

If you dont have to top 'em up then no chance of spilling water or over filling and flushing out acid.

If that dont happen then no chance of causing a rust spot.

No water! Please explain???

it is common for batteries to die at the moment.. the cold weather... my 2 yr batt died start of the week aswell.. there are valvless batteries.. dunno how they work but they made, and they work:P just less maintenance!

may also be your generator bushes.. these are cheap toreplace.. but its a bitch is the genny itself is gone.. but worn bushes are the only intermitten (dunno if thats spelt right) part of a genny.. hop in ur car, w/ a multimetre.. hook the metre up to the batt, and rev the car.. see what charge is going to the batt.. should be 13.5 (i just went thru this this week) i thought my genny was gone but it charged fine so it was the batt...

ALSO generator and oil lights might B switched.. apparently mine were also .. :| could explain the light being on / off

hope this helps some!!!


---Damien

Hopefully your oil light doesn't stay on for 5 mins after you start it!
Get a sealed battery. No maintenance necessary which is especially good in a VW because of inaccessability, also what Barry said about not causing corrosion from leaking fluid.
You could also go for 2 batteries in one, which is switchable. If for some reason you get a flat battery (e.g. leave your lights on) you flip a switch and use the other half of the battery. Very clever.

Only One brand of Battery I buy... I sold them for years... EXIDE is the BEST.. although they are also selling EXIDE batteries under the CHAMPION brand too... so either of those... I wouldn't have a Century Battery... had too many problems with them... [Very High Failure Rate]
Get the biggest battery that will fit into the tray...
The more plates the better the battery... or the higher CCA
Cold Cranking Amps the better...
Some have caps, to check the level of acid in the battery, if it goes below the plates inside add distilled water.. bottled water will probably do... some domestic water is OK, and some isn't... depends where You live....
Do NOT put acid in the battery!!
The sealed batteries don't have plugs although some do have caps that You take off with a screw driver... If You are going to have caps I prefer the large caps --
Don't put a Battery on Your clothes etc as the acid, even the vapour WILL eat Your clothes and most things it touches..

regards
Lee