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I've changed the battery in my Rover 45 - why won't it start now?

I recently changed the battery in my Rover 45 and it ran really well.The other day it started and sound like a tractor, it then died although the electrics all work. I managed to bump start it in reverse and it sound good. However, it won't start again.

Asked on 2 February 2018 by Ian Davison

Answered by Keith Moody
It sounds like either the car isn't getting enough use to recharge the battery after start-up, or that there's an electrical 'leak' somewhere (often an alarm or a radio), or that the alternator is failing. Have you tried charging the battery? Some battery chargers will give you an indication of the health of the overall battery and its state of charge. Winter is a notoriously draining time for batteries - it takes around 70% of the battery's charge to turn the engine over and when you add all the extras on top (heating, lights etc) a car that doesn't get much use can soon have a flat battery. Equally, a failing alternator will not recharge the battery enough. As for the rough running, it could be down to a number of things - from a failing fuel pump, to poor quality fuel, debris, failing ignition system (plugs, leads etc) or even a blocked air filter.
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