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ok, now have a new battery. its funny, looking in the galaxy engine bay I was CONVINCED that the battery in there was bigger than a standard car battery, so when I went to my local motor factors, told 'em what I wanted, they produced a battery according to there bible - and I said "nah, thats much too small, it currently has a bigger one" - so they trotted out varying sizes of battery, and I plumpled for one that I thought was right - a 95Ah battery - as it turned out (not the 70Ah I had asked for) ...of course, getting the battery home, and taking the old one out, I now realise its EXACTLY the same size as a normal car battery! ;) fortunately, the plate for moutning the battery fits the new one exactly - so I dumped it in. haven't tried measuring the current - perhaps will give that a go. cheers for the advice Graham

isn't that more like the output of the altenator. one time I measured the battery after it wouldn't start and it registered 11.54v ..so sounds like charge is bleeding away. (which made me think I'd kept leaving something switched on) could be a failed cell in the battery - just that halfords said it was ok......although shouldn't really have relied on that now should I!! ;) Graham

thanks for that. what battery did you get then, if there are concerns over the ford factory fitted ones? should I go to halfords and look up the VW replacement ones? Graham

Hi, we've just bought a 2002 Galaxy 1.9 TDi Ghia, we bought it ex-company leasing, and we had borrowed it off its owner before we bought it so we know it quite well. Its now suddenly seemed to start having a flat battery in the morning. I've looked and looked and can't find anything left switched on (although I can hear a sort of whirring noise when the ignition goes off - but have put this down to the clock!) but every morning now, the central locking unlocks, and all the lights on the dash come on, but bearly a groan when you try to turn it over - and then that clicking when it then doesn't have enough juice to fire the solenoid on the starter motor. I jump started it the other morning - drove to halfords (about 10 miles away) and stayed there for an hour and it was flat again - I understand that Diesel batteries take a long time to charge? some bod from Halfords came out with their battery tester and said the battery was good. I've measured the voltage at the battery terminals with the engine running and its 14.02 - which means the altenator is charging. ...anyone any ideas? its driving me potty! cheers Graham