I use my Escort Popular daily to get to work, shopping etc, still only has under 63k from new.. Anyway, went to take my puppy Freddie to puppy club this morning and the car was dead, totally dead, no lights on the dash lit at all.. Stuck charger on it all day and now just a tick. So dead battery, to be fair it's 6 years old so I don't mind renewing it. The only thing is, the battery has up until now been awesome, left lights on all night a few times and started on first fire every time but now nothing.
I am wondering if there is something more sinister rather than just the need for fresh battery... Like coil pack or something....

 

have you done a charging check on it ???

 

If there's nothing other than a click and its all flat then yep sounds like a terminal's dried. get another battery on there and as above do a charging check, a good alternator should chuck out 13/14 volts+

 

i'd put money on the battery.....would look at the alternator next but coil pack or any other ancillaries shouldnt drain battery.

If you can jump it, I'd take it to local Kwik Fit for a free battery and alternator check to make sure

 

Testing the charging system is extremely simple and can be done with the most basic of knowledge and equipment. This is what I would be doing first, if all's well then look toward the battery, it may be it's incapable of holding a charge.

Also check the electrolyte if you haven't done so, you would be amazed at the amount of people who neglect battery's and think they are maintenance free, when it's one of the most important components!

Martin

 

Turns out it was just the battery being old. Popped a new on on and hey presto, sorted.
Escort is now complete to me.
Had full service, new clutch, new brake hoses, drive shaft seals... Underneath is as clean as everything else, people were coming into the garage where it was creaming over it! Lucky me :P
Just had a wash and polish/wax so took it up Eden for a little photoshoot.