Starting problem

[Brendan]

I have been in touch with the previous owner to try and get the battery replaced under guarantee. Basically its not that easy and will require returning the battery while they check it and then if faulty a refund/replacement. Obviously, i did not want to return the battery to be told it ok, and its the car draining it.

I have turned off the battery(using the switch) and i guess if the voltage doesn't drop then its not the battery eg some drain(tracker, phone?) and if it does it probably is the battery.

Should the battery voltage drop only slightly whilst turned off? Or not drop at all?

 

[Brendan]

With the battery turned off(isolator switched off) the battery has dropped from 12.29 to 12.18volts sounds like the battery is not holding its charge very well.

What do people think? Surely if the battery is isolated with nothing draining it then it should not drop.

 

[allandwf]

Voltage looks reasonable, but doesn't really tell you much. It will require testing under load, I think if it drops under 10v on the test it is deemed as a fail. Any battery retailer should be able to test it for you, only takes a few seconds.

 

[CatmanV2]

Indeed. The only way to be sure is to stick a proper load on it. Brendan can you get someone to turn the car over while you measure the voltage at the battery? Or have you already done that?

Or

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/6v-12V-10...t=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&hash=item1c2bd46941

Or a local motor factor can often be persuaded to test for you

C

 

[Brendan]

So can this be done with the battery in the car? When I drive the car the volts jump to about 14. When I start there always about 11/12volts. I will have to do this. Thanks

 

[conaero]

11 volts is not enough, sounds like the battery to me.

 

[Brendan]

Although the car meter says 11 its really more like 12. Checking the battery with a multimeter i know if it drops below about 11.8 the car will not start. I will try and get the battery tested I think

 

[CatmanV2]

Ahh, are all your readings coming from the dash meter, Brendan? Wouldn't trust that.

It really does sound like the batter is stuffed. Duff cell maybe. If you don't want to run it to a tester, grab something like this:
http://www.maplin.co.uk/domestic-multimeter-37279
and see what the battery voltage *really* is when cranking the engine. As Matt says, 11v is really too low.

C

 

[Brendan]

No the readings are from a multimeter. I know the car meter is pretty inaccurate. On the car gauge it barely moves eg says 10/11 but i know on measuring it with my multimeter its about 12.2v

 

[CatmanV2]

I see. I reckon the battery is shot.

These things do really seem to have a habit of eating batteries, don't they.

C

 

[Brendan]

I am going to get the battery tested, bit surprising as the battery is only a year old. I think that short trips and not being used every day does not help. I had the same battery on a 928 and it to only lasted 18 months. When i do replace it must start using the trickle charger I have from now on.

 

[Brendan]

Halfords said the battery was on the way out

 

[Parisien]

What was the brand.....they come with 3/4 year guarantee? I know I put in a slightly heavier amperage new battery!!!


P

 

[Brendan]

It was a Bosch Silver 4 year guarantee 74 amps I think

 

[BennyD]

In that case they owe you a battery if it's only a year old.

 

[Parisien]

It was a Bosch Silver 4 year guarantee 74 amps I think

Indeed they do, I don't even think you need a receipt, its all coded on the battery, its age etc


P

 

[Brendan]

I did not buy the battery(previous owner) so I am trying to replace the battery through him as transfer of ownership invalidates the guarantee. The battery will have to be returned and inspected before a decision is made...

 

[Brendan]

Finally managed to get a replacement battery. Is there any special routine to follow to refit it? I isolated the old battery, dropped the window...Before taking it out. Do I have to reset the throttle?

Ta

 

[conaero]

Nope just don't shut the boot with the power off, the boot locks generally seize.

 

[Brendan]

Tried this already! For about 5 seconds I frantically giggled the key in lock until it eventually opened.