Not happy 2003 V40 starting issues

[Grazy]

Hi guys , i bought my 2003 V40 less than a year ago and in June put a new battery on it , The car is uses most day but only really short journeys , other than two days a week when my other half uses it for work

Went to yesterday and it wont start , All the dash lights light up and when key is switched eveything is clicking ( Seatbelt warning maybe )

Im wondering if the alternator is on its way out , What else could it be ?

And if it is alternator how would i test this ??

Many thanks Graeme

[v40alex]

Start by testing your battery with a multimeter. Read the voltage with the engine off. Then start the car (you may have to jump it or charge the battery first) and read the voltage again, if it rises (should be 14V or thereabouts), the alternator is fine.

[druid]

First off before you panic to much, was the glove box open? Have you left a light on?

[dmiller]

Originally Posted by druid

First off before you panic to much, was the glove box open? Have you left a light on?

This. Seriously, happens to me every month or so, usually when her indoors has wedged to much into it and it doesn't shut right and drains the battery.

I keep meaning to take the bulb out but it's handy.

David.

[skyship007]

Originally Posted by Grazy

Hi guys , i bought my 2003 V40 less than a year ago and in June put a new battery on it , The car is uses most day but only really short journeys , other than two days a week when my other half uses it for work
Went to yesterday and it wont start , All the dash lights light up and when key is switched eveything is clicking ( Seatbelt warning maybe )
Im wondering if the alternator is on its way out , What else could it be ?
And if it is alternator how would i test this ??
Many thanks Graeme

Most alternators that go kaput result in a warning light. Odds on you left a light on, OR one of the terminals is loose.
If you have a voltmeter, it should read about 12.5 engine off and around 13.5 to 14.5 volts engine on, according to how well charged the battery is.

Try charging the battery to see if it recovers after checking the terminals are not loose.

[Grazy]

Thanks people will try the above if i can get hold of a multi meter

[Grazy]

Ok so i jump started the car and it started straight away , then took it for a 35-45 min run with no radio or heaters etc on .

Got home and turned it off , it then wouldn't start again won't even turn over ?

Any ideas !

[310den]

You really need a multi meter to get a reading as your alternator could be faulty without the warning light being on, checking the voltage will confirm that.

[skyship007]

Originally Posted by Grazy

Ok so i jump started the car and it started straight away , then took it for a 35-45 min run with no radio or heaters etc on .

Got home and turned it off , it then wouldn't start again won't even turn over ?

Any ideas !

Is the battery still under warranty??
If so, go back to the Iffy stop place that sold it and they will check the alternator output. If it's OK demand a new battery!
It should be an S3 size minimum (You get an extra years warranty for an S4).

If it's a cheap far Eastern battery and the battery tray clip is missing, the post itself can fatigue inside the battery, so when you check for loose terminal clamps make sure the entire post is not moving.

[Grazy]

Thanks people

ill see if i can dig out receipt for battery

Ill drop car in to a local garage to check output

Will report back tomorrow