charging a battery

[lootmaker]

on my VW Polo 1.4CL i didnt drive it for over a week, now the car wont start? I think the battery is dead. I bought a battery charger for �20 from argos, the battery has a plastic case with wires on top of it i think that connects to the alternator. The manual for the cahrger is saying remove the wires (or the alternator might get damaged) and also the cell caps (to release gases) and charge. Do I really need to do that? any advice please i need to jump start the car,

[Skids]

You need to disconnect the battery from the car electrical system completely before charging.  If it is a non-sealed battery and the cell caps can be lifted its worth checking the acid level, it should be above the electrode plates within the cells.  It can be topped up with de-ionised water.  You will still need to charge it though.

[tiny95]

Are you sure your battery is flat ?
Is the engine turning over ?
Turn on your headlights before trying to start - are they bright ?
If the engine turns over happily for ages + your lights are good then it could be something else - fuel ? yes ? ok!
If your lights are good but it doesn't turn over it could be your starter motor stuck - we normally give it a light tap with a hammer.
Your battery may be flat only if the engine will start to turn over but then slow down or not turn over at all.
If it is flat & then charged, but your battery dies again, you need a new battery. Hope his helps.

[lootmaker]

lights come on, when i turn the ignition on one turn and everything dies away, the lights in the dashboard go dead. The car was working really fine, the tank is full, i just didnt turn it on for 10 days.

[lootmaker]

If i buy a new battery can I replace it my self, is it hard? also engine turning over sorry what do you mean.

[Ralph]

Replacing a battery is very easy. Just remove any clips that hold the old one in position and whip it out (to your local recycling centre!). Install the new one, reattach the cables to the correct sides and go.

Have a look at the old battery to find out its capacity. It's almost definately 12 volt, but you need to know its amperage. Somewhere on a label, it'll say something like 60Ah (Ampere-hours). You'll need the new one to be at least the same as your current one. Bigger ampere-hours is ok, but make sure the battery will physically fit in the space available.

Alternatively, go to Halfords or the like, where you just look up a list and it'll tell you which battery to buy.

The engine "turning over" just means it is rotating powered by the starter motor.

[newcliofan]

I have never had a problem with just connecting the charger and leaving it to charge for about an hour or two whilst still connected to the car, then starting the car before diconnecting the charger.

Always works for me with no problems.

Remember if you get a jumpstart you will still be connected.