Thoughts please, 2003 Mk II 2.0 JTD has started to have flat battery symptoms, with occasional 'not charging' messages ending up with a total failure to turn over and the breakdown guy saying that he was surprised the battery would not turn it over but the jump start fixed it anyway! Got home and checked the battery which was only showing about 12v and when measured with the engine running about 12.4v at idle and 12.8v at 1500. Concluded the alternator was faulty so I changed it for a new one which has been fine for about a month then yesterday no turnover again, measured the battery voltage at 11.8v. Now digging harder, I checked the alternator earthing it out to the block and it is giving a minimum of 13.8v, I think it is the same cable running straight through the under bonnet drivers side wing fuse box and I still have 13.8v but at the battery a good deal less only around 12.4v, Questions a) Is it the same cable connecting the alternator to the Battery that runs through the fuse box? b) Is there anything between the fuse box and the battery (it is very difficult to see) to drag the volts down? c) Could the battery be faulty and affecting the measurement at the terminal? d) There seems to be a very elaborate connection at the clip on terminal on the battery positive terminal - is it special in some way? Any ideas would be appreciated.