Battery? or Something more?

[mpls_apple]

Greetings. I went to start my car today after driving it to a work meeting and nothing happened but a clikkkkkkkkk sounds. Some of the dash lights were light up but eventually only the battery light and spoiler light would light up when i would try to start it. After an attempted jump start it still went clikkkkkkkkk with a small chug.

I decided to check the battery out.. all the cells were close to damn dry. I filled up all the cells. tried a jump and it started! drove it around for 15 mins or so. when i shut it off and tried to start it again it made the clicccckkkkkk sound with all the dashlights on.

So what i'm wondering is... is it just a needed new battery or something more? I have an 03 beetle and it's the original battery. Thanks much!

[Blugg]

Sounds the same as this:-

No idea what's happened.....HELP !! - New Beetle Owners Club

[ECS Tuning]

It certainly sounds like a failing battery not taking / holding a charge any longer.

[simonsi]

Originally Posted by mpls_apple

...drove it around for 15 mins or so. when i shut it off and tried to start it again it made the clicccckkkkkk sound with all the dashlights on.

That amount of charge into a flat battery won´t do diddly, the battery itself may or may not be totally shot (but I´d stake money it is), but to put some meaningful charge into a flat battery will need much more driving as a flat battery won´t take full altenator output as charge.

A better test would be to refill it then put it on trickle charge overnight...

[antonym]

Yep. Battery is toast. Just had this happened to me and the battery was only 4+ years old. Get a battery at Walmart. Maxx 47 is what you need.

[mpls_apple]

Thanks everyone! It was indeed the battery. I know because when i towed it home i checked the cells and low and behold..each one completely empty of water,,,,just acide left. I put distilled water in and jumped the car and its running fine. Still having a new battery put in tomorrow though