440 Flat Batter (Again!)

[Bruce_T]

My car battery started to go weak and take longer to turn over. About a week later it was dead. Jumped it and drove. It would then struggle to start as little as 12 hours later. Most of the time it didnt start.

I replaced the battery with my local battery with 2 year warranty.

They checked the battery and it was recieving enough charge and was compensating for headlight etc. Ie, Alternator ok.

Anyway, all was well till the last 7-10 days. its become slow to turn over again and I thought to myself. This is going the same was as the last one. I took it for a 20 mile drive on the motorway last night doing 70mph. Parked up at 7:25pm. Went to start it this morning and it could just turn over but then clicked. Tried again. Complety dead.

I jumped it and it was fine. Drove spot on.


Now, im not leaving lights on interior or exterior.

Im going to take the car back this weekend and ask them look further into the problem

Maybe the alternator is shorting when the car is not running depleting the battery of charge?

Maybe the alt is intermittantly charging or something else?

Its a pain!

[JIM C]

Could be a faulty battery. I had a problem with one a while ago on my V70. When the car sat overnight tha battery was flat. Jumped started perfectly and would work fine all day. Had the charging system checked by Volvo no problems. Checked the various leads and were fine from the battery. Eventually it was found that the battery voltage was slightly lower than it should be and was replaced and the problem was solved. This was with a new battery.
Best of luck
Jim

[Bruce_T]

Thanks Jim.

Im not sure what they will do.

If they replace it with a new battery and check the charging system again and take it from there I guess

[JIM C]

If you are a member of any of the breakdown organisations they would check your battery and charging.

Here is what the AA would do.

http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice...ry_advice.html

[niloc]

Put an ammeter in series with the positive terminal of the battery. With nothing turned on (as parked and locked) the current flow should be small. Yes, the car is charging, but is it being drained by something when left? Alarm fault perhaps?

With the engine running, check the terminal voltage. Should be 14v+

[Bruce_T]

Im not good with electrics and I have no ammetere or multimeter.

Ill purchase one come pay day I think though!


Just to add,

Jump the car this morning at 7:30am. Drove to work.

Locked the car at 7:45am.


Went to start it 4pm, Dead.

That has to be some serioes draining power to kill a batt in 8 hours?!

[niloc]

Park up tonight, disconnect battery. Refit in morning and see if she starts....

[Bruce_T]

Originally Posted by niloc

Park up tonight, disconnect battery. Refit in morning and see if she starts....

Take off pos and neg or just one of them?

[JIM C]

I would take off the earth lead.

[CTCNetwork]

Hi,

Originally Posted by Bruce_T

Take off pos and neg or just one of them?

One should do (-ve)

Make sure you have the code for the radio if it has one..

You can get a cheap practical ammeter from either Lidl or Aldi when they have such in their "Specials" days..

Des. . .