Technical Battery

[cmm.sedici]

Had a strange one the other day. Around half an hour after a 2 hour drive I went to start the car up again and it was absolutely flat. Tried jump starting it but didn't work.

Bought a new battery, swapped it in and car fired up straight away. Going to keep an eye on it and hope that the alternator isn't a problem or there's a drain on the system.

Anyone know of any crude techniques of testing for drains or alternator problems?

Suppose the main test will be just continuing to use it.

Put a bosch S5 in so should be pretty beefy ready for the winter.

 

[Nello]

cmm - My experiences with car batteries is that usually they go all of a sudden without warning. If it was the OE one it was probably ready for renewal anyway

 

[cmm.sedici]

Looks like that was the case. New one in and all working fine. Also a squeak has stopped when I normally start the car.

 

[varesecrazy]

Hi,
glad it's working o.k.,

chances are the squeak was the alternator working so hard the belt was slipping,


to test the basics of your alternator;

1, measure battery voltage with everything off = should be 12.2 + volts

2, start engine - measure batt. voltage now( with engine running) = 14.4 Volts

if your'e not getting a min. of 14.0 Volts suspect a charging issue,

Charlie

 

[cmm.sedici]

thanks for the advice charlie and nello. Car seems to be running fine now (famous last wprds). Alternator seems to be doing its job.

 

[johntywyn]

Sounds to me the problem is with the alternator; and once your new battery is drained, the problem will return. Good luck.

 

[cmm.sedici]

thanks for the optimism johnty! One week later and all working fine. Bullet successfully dodged, hopefully!