Is a faulty battery preventing the stop-start feature from working on my BMW 118d?

I have a December 2007 BMW 118d ED with stop-start and the other associated bells and whistles. This feature has not worked for about nine months. My BMW dealer thinks it might be a poor battery, and suggests trying a new one. I am not convinced, as I charge it regularly, and my local garage could find nothing wrong with the battery recently. I have a distant memory, from school physics, that it is difficult to tell the state of a battery, as it holds a steady voltage until almost discharged?

Asked on 3 August 2013 by RY, Steyning

Answered by Honest John

A healthy 12-volt battery should charge to 13.5 volts. They can lose capacity down to about 9 volts and still start the car.

Tags: stop-start batteries electrical faults diesels

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