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Old 01-08-2015, 02:39 PM
 
2 posts, read 3,746 times
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Hi
I bought a new battery for my Skoda Fabia less than a year ago. Three weeks ago one morning the car didn't start without any warning, although I always felt that something was wrong. It would often turn off when stationary like behind the traffic lights. I put in a new battery and everything was ok until three days ago that the same thing happened. On the first try the engine made a noise but quickly went silent, on the second try not even the dashboard lights came on and the engine didn't start at all. The car doesn't have any other faults, year 2001, 45000 mileage. Do the carbon brushes need to be replaced?
Thanks
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Old 01-08-2015, 02:48 PM
 
15,681 posts, read 20,181,855 times
Reputation: 20853
Quote:
Originally Posted by thepasserby View Post
Do the carbon brushes need to be replaced?



For a DC motor?





Um, anyway. How are your connections. The battery may be new, but electrical problems such as what you describe are sometimes caused by poor and corroded connections. If you pop the hood and look at how the cables connect to the battery, are they clean and new, or rusty with corrosion on them? How are the cables? Is the wiring nice and clean and shiney, or dirty and corroded. Are the cables tight?

There is always the chance that the battery is failing, but more than likely the issue is related to the physical connections of the battery to the electrical system. Removing the cables, and cleaning up the connectors (or replacing them) and the terminals on the battery, along with reattachment nice and tightly, might solve the issue.

Of course, all this is based on an internet diagnosis based on what you've written.
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Old 01-08-2015, 04:14 PM
 
Location: Billings, MT
9,885 posts, read 10,890,140 times
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Yes, DC motors have brushes, usually made of carbon.
DC generators also have brushes.
AC alternators often have brushes.

However, to the OP, if nothing in the car works, I doubt if it is a problem with the brushes in any motor.
First, test the battery voltage. If it is good, then begin checking all the battery cable connections and circuit breakers. Find the ground connection, and make sure it is clean, and there is a connection from the engine to the frame or body.
Long distance trouble shoot9ing on something like this is nearly impossible, but that will give you a good start.
Good luck.
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Old 01-08-2015, 05:01 PM
 
Location: Riverside Ca
22,146 posts, read 33,209,527 times
Reputation: 35433
Check your ground and positive connections. Then check ignition switch
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Old 01-08-2015, 06:41 PM
 
4,761 posts, read 14,213,243 times
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With the car off, what is the voltage of the battery measured with a multimeter?
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Old 01-09-2015, 03:45 AM
 
2 posts, read 3,746 times
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Thank you for your replies. I will do everything you said and get back to you. Thanks again.
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