starting probbs
 

hi all , hope alls well ! bought a s60 2002 2.0t couple of weeks ago 98000 on clock really nice condition ! found that the battery constantly drains new battery so no probs there , when fully charged it will last aprox 1 day starting ect then catchers me out wont start [jump leads or battery swap ] had chargeing checked 13.8 any good ? even when been on long run still wont start ! sounds like allternator but not sure , anyone else come across this problem ? regards richard.

Do you have a true rms multimeter?

s66
 

hi thanks for getting back , not sure wot you mean rms ? regards .

You need to run some multimeter tests on your alternator, one of which is an AC voltage test.
If your multimeter isn't stamped "True RMS" the reading will be inaccurate so not much use.
You can also do a diode test if your multimeter has that function. Most do.

Also, a parasitic drain test would help if the alternator passes the diode check.

s60
 

hi , thanks for getting back sorry for late reply ! cars going in this week , i dont know much about electrics ! i have had to put 2 fully charged batterys on today started about 6 times then dead ! seems to flatten them as i am driving , never know anything like this on a car before beats me , its had good long runs ie 25 miles a time before i turn it off but often flat then ! regards richard.

Do these tests and post up what happens. :thumbs_up:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dhf6IdBbE3Y

s60
 

thank you that was very interesting video ! if mate pops round later will ask him to try that [hes the one with the meter] looking at the service records it had a clutch pully replaced couple of years ago , wonder wot that was about ? regards .

It was probably about £50.:)
Nothing to worry about. Clutch pulleys have a nominal service life of 80k but tend to last longer.
Sounds like the previous owner took a sensible precaution.

There are more simple videos like that one for your electrical system but we'll see your mates meter throws up first.
My guess is a failed diode but it may just be poor connections and corrosion.

s60
 

thanks , just been out again this evening on 3rd battery of the day 5 miles in had to stop, hardly any lights ! so once again battery swap with part charged one to get back! new one now back on charge c wot tomorrow brings ! o forgot to say when on first journey this morning about 15 miles in it lost most of its power as if gone in limp mode ! was ok when swap"t battery again ! could understand it a bit if it was a wreck but its showroom condition hardly a mark on it so looks like its been really well looked after ! will put some pics on if i can find out how to do it on here ! many thanks once again richard.

s60
 

thanks for all the very good advice , been in today replaced the alternator so fingers crossed sorted ! when tested there was no charge at all so totally had it , would only run about 15 miles on full battery so could not go on ! kind regards richard.