Thinking the cold has finally killed off the Surf's batteries??

[Vultch]

Thank you, it'll be a busy morning then tomorrow, maybe get the AA out first and sort it out from there!

The AA will offer to sell you battereis, I paid about £110 for 2 batteries I fitted my self... that should give a rough figure to prevent you being ripped off

[Albannach]

If you know someone with a Halfords discount card, buy your batteries there.

[BUSHWHACKER]

With this cold dark weather, lights, heater blower, rear demister, lots of cranking (if the glowplugs are tired) will drain the batteries down and unless you drive for at least 20 mins to put the charge back in them, the state of charge will stay low.
Always switch everything off and allow the engine to idle for 30 secs or so if you can so the batteries are topped up before the next start.

[Adarsha & The Beast]

Thank you, it'll be a busy morning then tomorrow, maybe get the AA out first and sort it out from there!

[Apache]

the meter thing on the dashboard is at about half level... so I'm assuming they are on the way out.

Ignore that meter, its not accurate and doesn't measure the volts at the right place for testing battery health. It's just an indication of charging really. Get them checked properly.

As has been said, batteries are as cheap from Toyota as anywhere else, but other decent brands are (not exclusively) Yuasa and Varta.

[VidaMusic]

My truck had the original batteries on mate (1994) so that shows ya how long they should last!

[VidaMusic]

I had this on Fri night mate. I had the AA out, and he fixed the loose alternator, well tightened it back up, and got them both running fine again. He did a test on both batteries for me too, and both batteries (should read 760din) were only reading about 235 din each, so he advised me to get new ones asap, and that Toyotas would be the best ones.
£70 each and good, solid piece of mind!!

[Adarsha & The Beast]

You dont even need to disconnect them. Just attach a charger to one and it will charge both. Not ideal but will get you going.

Winter is the time a weak battery will show itself though, so a new pair might be worth doing. You can get them tested first though.

Its a VERY easy job, I cant see even ATS fecking that one up!

Thanks for the info..
lol... I'm always a bit suspicious, of multi nationals..

The batteries have been draining very easily and quickly, had a similar problem last year, having to turn the truck over for a while before it would start, but the meter thing on the dashboard is at about half level... so I'm assuming they are on the way out. I've had this truck 2 years and haven't replaced the batteries, don't know how long they are meant to last.

[Apache]

You dont even need to disconnect them. Just attach a charger to one and it will charge both. Not ideal but will get you going.

Winter is the time a weak battery will show itself though, so a new pair might be worth doing. You can get them tested first though.

Its a VERY easy job, I cant see even ATS fecking that one up!

[Adarsha & The Beast]

If... the batteries are dead. I have an ATS almost right next door to where I live, can I trust them to put on two new batteries and know what they are doing? I'm a full time student and they give a 10% student discount. I'm not sure whether to get ATS to do it or get my usual garage out to do it, it wouldn't start today, and the colder the weather this is how it goes. It was -10 today!

So what do you reckon guys, will ATS bugger it up? Could they bugger it up? Or shall I just get my usual, reliable but not so close to home, garage to sort it?

Yes, I could perhaps charge the battery(s) up and get her going, Question? do I have to take them off or just disconnect to do that?

Ta...

ps.. isn't it fun driving in the snow... he he he