Battery Problems

[Gareth]

Hi all,

I recently tried to start my bravo and the battery was dead, the small digital display on the instrument panel said battery, So Ive charged the battery up overnight and tried it again, no luck it still wouldnt start and the electrics were very weak (could bearly operate the central locking).

So I figured I needed a new battery, went out and bought one, fitted it and the car started no trouble and all seemed fine. However this morning tried to start the car and again it says battery on the dash and car wont start.

Im thinking it cant be the alternator as the battery has only been in 24hrs and the car has only been driven a few miles. Any ideas? or anything i could check myself before getting a mechanic?? My cars a 1.9jtd 2001 Thanks

 

[Joske]

Sounds like a short causing a power drain, have you installed a new headunit recently? Some people have had there power drain due to either faulty headunits or poor wiring.

Best to trace your steps back. Have you had any work done to the car recently or any mods that may cause the drain in power?

 

[gareth]

thats what i was thinking but ive not done anything recently, ive had my headunit in for a year and the last mod i did was the heated seat guide you did about 4 months ago, i wired them up to the spare cigarette lighter under the center console and they only work with the ignition on. I cant think what i could of done when installing them as wiring wise it was pretty easy just connect two wires up. The same applys with the stereo, it only works when the ignition is on.

 

[gareth]

btw forgot to mention the part u connect to the battery terminal is a bit dodgy, it has come out of allignment and doesnt fit over the battery terminal 100% if you know what i mean. I managed to get it on just about, i am going to replace it so it fits 100% but i couldnt see how it could contribute to the battery going flat as it was fitted properly to my old battery

 

[Anonymous]

COuld be a faulty voltage regulator on the alternator.

 

[Anonymous]

ok i think im best taking it to a mechanic, nothing i can do i dont think. would a voltage regulator cause a new bat to go dead in 24hrs?

 

[Anonymous]

It can make a battery go flat or overload a battery. But i think its an earth problem myself. Do a search of the forum as someone has probably also experienced this.

 

[gareth]

mechanic has had a look and has said the problem is the alternator, it works ok but when the car is off it drains 3.5amps from the battery causing it to go flat. So gonna have a new alternator fitted, looking at upto £190 + labour, does this sound reasonable? he has yet to look up the exact price as i havent managed to speak to him properly yet. what do you guys think is a reasonable price to pay for parts and labour

 

[stephen]

190 plus labour!! seems on the steep side to me, also if i remember the alt is a bastrad to replace on the jtd

 

[gareth]

yeah iv done some research on the forum and have read somthing about having to remove the suspension the figure he told me was off the top off his head as a maximum figure to expect, just curious what other ppl have paid for this job? or what kindof figure i should expect? thanks

 

[stephen]

scotty is the one to ask, although thinking about it he may have done it himself...

 

[Joske]

Replacement Alternator approx £100. Approx 2 hours labour. (2x £25) Total. £150+VAT. Doesn't sound too bad.

 

[Sean]

When you started the engine, did the battery light stay on? if so this indicates that the battery is not taking any charge. I had the same problem with my vaxhaull combo, i replaced the alternator and all was fine. Only thing is i'd changed the maximum fuel intake on the fuel pump and managed to get 20mph extra on a van! Roughley 5 miles after i changed the alternator, the bottom end was shagged and i now need either a new engine or to take the alternator out and sell it then scrap the van.

Anyway, if battery light stays on after replacing battery, its more than likeley the alternator. Remember the battery light is on before the engine is running.

Sean

 

[gareth]

battery light goes off when the car starts, the alternator does seem to charge the battery, the problem is when the car is off the battery is drained very quickly.A brand new battery was drained empty overnight. thanks for the replys

 

[Anonymous]

Must be a short circuit somewhere, do you have an amplifier for speakers connected to battery?

 

[Sven]

What if what do you have aftermarket build on the car that is electrical ???
Something is draining your battery flat - you can test it if you have a multimeter and some time to play with the fuses.

Members Site

 

[gareth]

well i have had the mechanic look at my car and rekons its the alternator draining 3.5amps from the battery when the car is off causing it to go flat, i have no big mods or stereos, just a sony headunit (fitted a year ago) and heated seats that are wired throuh the cigarette lighter (fitted over 4 months ago) neither of these work without the ignition on.

 

[Sean]

Have you checked the wiring to your alternator?

 

[Wimmy]

Any interior lights staying on? Boot, glove box?

 

[gareth]

checked boot light, interior light and glove box has no light in. so iam out of ideas. As for the wiring to the alternator as far as iam aware its connected all ok as ive had the mechanic have a look. Iam going to get the alternator replaced hes got a proper quote for me now, £100 for the alternator and about £50 labour