Frustration

arcturus · Nov 28th, 2014, 11:10

I thought that I was getting on top of problems until Last night I turned the key and nothing! Back on charge overnight and still nothing. I'm getting 7.5 volts on battery but everything is dead. Is it possible to have voltage on battery but still not have enough power? Electrics are the bane of my life. I have checked the fuses and they are OK.

Faust · Nov 28th, 2014, 12:10

Yes, it's perfectly possible to 7.5 volts on a (flat) battery. It will have nowhere near enough charge to start your car though… I'd be surprised it if even made the starter solenoid click. How have you got this reading? Multimeter across the terminals?

If you've charged your battery overnight and it shows such a low reading, either your battery is knackered or (just possibly) your charger is fubar. A decent reading on a battery that's been charged overnight should be about 12.8 volts or higher. I would replace the battery for a new one in your position.

If you get a new battery, make sure your charging system is up to spec and that all earths straps are nice and clean. Make damn sure that the chassis>bellhousing strap is in good condition as it can lead to all sorts of problems - ask me how I know!

JRL · Nov 28th, 2014, 12:11

7.5? Electrics aren't my strong point but surely you should be getting around 12 to 13 volts? Feel free to point out my error if I have misunderstood!

*Edit* Faust beat me to it.

Derek UK · Nov 28th, 2014, 13:08

This is a 6v battery so 7.5v is good. Yes you can have good volts but virtually no amps but that would at least light up the ignition light. I'd suspect a bad battery earth, especially after a repaint. Check where the earth strap connects to the body.

arcturus · Nov 28th, 2014, 13:37

Absolutely dead. No ignition or oil light. Funny it was all right previously. Will check earth. I did suspect a connectivity problem but just wanted to check on battery first. Will leave it on "charge" overnight and check again tomorrow. BTW, the water was low but covering the cells. Have topped it up with dist' water.

mocambique-amazone · Nov 28th, 2014, 16:30

Like Derek wrote: Check earth first! Every point where it can be coated with paint by Bodyshop. 6V volvo is not "electrics", this is stone age, candle ligthened. 6v take smore care about good connection points then 12v, that' s it.
Regards, kay

arcturus · Nov 29th, 2014, 11:38

So to recap. The system was fully functional until Saturday,start, run, lights etc then dead. The earth is good, 7.5v from battery. 7V to starter then nothing. With the ignition switch on no voltage to regulator which I believe there should be according to diagram, which should energize switch.No voltage at fuse input side. If the ign' switch is US I should still have power at regulator? If the regulator is US should have no power at switch? Any thoughts?

Derek UK · Nov 29th, 2014, 12:40

Do you have any lighting at all? How about the interior light? Check the earth for the charging (dynamo) regulator. Earth here is just a screw into the wing, not very high tech. You'll have to chase the voltage with a meter from the battery to the ignition switch and see if voltage comes out of the other side of it when you turn the ignition on in both the accessory and full ignition on positions.

arcturus · Nov 29th, 2014, 13:12

Was able to get meter to input side of ign' switch and that is live. very difficult access. will try to get reading from output side of switch. How is the ign' switch fastened to dash? there are two screws which seem to fit into a bracket on underside of dash. i have removed them but not sure if switch pulls out or pushes in.

addendum.Went back and tried to test output side of switch but can't reach. Will probably end up pulling out dash. Beginning to suspect ign' switch. I giggled the switch on and off a few times and at one time the fuel gauge activated briefly! I think that the whole shebang is a mess. I can get power to the light switch fuse but loose it when i operate the switch!

Derek UK · Nov 29th, 2014, 14:58

I suspect that in order to drop the ignition switch away from the dash you will first have to remove the lock barrel. There is a small button on the outside of the lock that has to be pushed in to release the barrel. Key needs to be able to turn in order that the pin can be depressed. Fiddly but not too difficult with LHD cars I believe as you can get to the pin. A small mirror will help you find it ,but you maybe depressing it blind with a bit of bent wire, A piece of wire coat hanger bent to shape or a small Allen key might do the job. Probably best to refit the 2 screws to keep the housing solid while you push the pin.

Nov 28th, 2014, 11:10	#1
arcturus arcturus Last Online: Yesterday 07:17 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Sagres Portugal	Frustration I thought that I was getting on top of problems until Last night I turned the key and nothing! Back on charge overnight and still nothing. I'm getting 7.5 volts on battery but everything is dead. Is it possible to have voltage on battery but still not have enough power? Electrics are the bane of my life. I have checked the fuses and they are OK. __________________ life's too short to drink bad wine

Nov 28th, 2014, 12:11	#3
JRL Master Member Last Online: Aug 25th, 2022 16:37 Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Derry	7.5? Electrics aren't my strong point but surely you should be getting around 12 to 13 volts? Feel free to point out my error if I have misunderstood! Edit Faust beat me to it. __________________ 2008 S60 D5 SE LUX

Nov 28th, 2014, 13:37	#5
arcturus arcturus Last Online: Yesterday 07:17 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Sagres Portugal	Absolutely dead. No ignition or oil light. Funny it was all right previously. Will check earth. I did suspect a connectivity problem but just wanted to check on battery first. Will leave it on "charge" overnight and check again tomorrow. BTW, the water was low but covering the cells. Have topped it up with dist' water. __________________ life's too short to drink bad wine

Nov 29th, 2014, 13:12	#9
arcturus arcturus Last Online: Yesterday 07:17 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Sagres Portugal	Was able to get meter to input side of ign' switch and that is live. very difficult access. will try to get reading from output side of switch. How is the ign' switch fastened to dash? there are two screws which seem to fit into a bracket on underside of dash. i have removed them but not sure if switch pulls out or pushes in. addendum.Went back and tried to test output side of switch but can't reach. Will probably end up pulling out dash. Beginning to suspect ign' switch. I giggled the switch on and off a few times and at one time the fuel gauge activated briefly! I think that the whole shebang is a mess. I can get power to the light switch fuse but loose it when i operate the switch! __________________ life's too short to drink bad wine Last edited by arcturus; Nov 29th, 2014 at 14:30.

Nov 28th, 2014, 12:10	#2
Faust Master Member Last Online: Apr 25th, 2024 00:05 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Nottingham	Yes, it's perfectly possible to 7.5 volts on a (flat) battery. It will have nowhere near enough charge to start your car though… I'd be surprised it if even made the starter solenoid click. How have you got this reading? Multimeter across the terminals? If you've charged your battery overnight and it shows such a low reading, either your battery is knackered or (just possibly) your charger is fubar. A decent reading on a battery that's been charged overnight should be about 12.8 volts or higher. I would replace the battery for a new one in your position. If you get a new battery, make sure your charging system is up to spec and that all earths straps are nice and clean. Make damn sure that the chassis>bellhousing strap is in good condition as it can lead to all sorts of problems - ask me how I know!

Nov 28th, 2014, 13:08	#4
Derek UK VOC Member Last Online: Yesterday 14:29 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Chatham	This is a 6v battery so 7.5v is good. Yes you can have good volts but virtually no amps but that would at least light up the ignition light. I'd suspect a bad battery earth, especially after a repaint. Check where the earth strap connects to the body.

Nov 28th, 2014, 16:30	#6
mocambique-amazone Master Member Last Online: Jan 24th, 2022 17:08 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: small village in the north of Germany	Like Derek wrote: Check earth first! Every point where it can be coated with paint by Bodyshop. 6V volvo is not "electrics", this is stone age, candle ligthened. 6v take smore care about good connection points then 12v, that' s it. Regards, kay

Nov 29th, 2014, 12:40	#8
Derek UK VOC Member Last Online: Yesterday 14:29 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Chatham	Do you have any lighting at all? How about the interior light? Check the earth for the charging (dynamo) regulator. Earth here is just a screw into the wing, not very high tech. You'll have to chase the voltage with a meter from the battery to the ignition switch and see if voltage comes out of the other side of it when you turn the ignition on in both the accessory and full ignition on positions.

Nov 29th, 2014, 14:58	#10
Derek UK VOC Member Last Online: Yesterday 14:29 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Chatham	I suspect that in order to drop the ignition switch away from the dash you will first have to remove the lock barrel. There is a small button on the outside of the lock that has to be pushed in to release the barrel. Key needs to be able to turn in order that the pin can be depressed. Fiddly but not too difficult with LHD cars I believe as you can get to the pin. A small mirror will help you find it ,but you maybe depressing it blind with a bit of bent wire, A piece of wire coat hanger bent to shape or a small Allen key might do the job. Probably best to refit the 2 screws to keep the housing solid while you push the pin.

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