Technical Dead Battery Diagnosis

[brandonbillingham]

Hi,

Apologies for asking any stupid questions or any incorrect information in advance, my knowledge of cars is fairly limited and I'm hoping you guys can help me.

Thursday night I came home from work, normal journey no issues no warnings etc. Friday morning the car doesn't start, it's dead. There was enough power to unlock it and hear it attempt to start but then it was completely dead.

I got alms jump leads and my mate jumped me yesterday, first time shortly after trying to drive off it died, revs were low. The second time I kept the revs high for a while then drove off for a bit, 30 mins it total of driving, idle and reving. Also to note on the second jump the check engine light came on.

After 30 minutes we turned off and tried to start again but barely any power. Enough for the dash lights to flicker and to lock the car again.

My question is, does this sound like a battery replacement job or an alternator fault? Does the arrival of the check engine light on the second jump mean anything obvious or significant?

Also, how do I remove the battery, short of disconnecting the wires from the negative and positive terminals I also see another bolt at the front, not very easy to reach and quite rusted.

Any help is much appreciated.

 

[RQ3ZQTB]

Hi,


You just have to check the batterie tension (or voltage?), engine "off" and then engine running...(with headlights on)
Engine off = from 12.5v to 13.0v
Engine on = from 14.0v to 15.0v


You're right, you need to undo the 13 mm nut at the front of the battery, fixing the "belt" onto the chassis...


Regards

 

[RedAndy]

How old is your battery?

I had a dead one earlier this year. Same case; electronics worked but couldn't start. Jump started it and could drive it normally until I turned off, after which I couldn't restart it.

All it needed was a new battery. Mine lasted 2 years and a bit.

One thing to note is that these maintenance-free batteries don't die gradually. They'll be working without issue until that time you can't start the car.

 

[brandonbillingham]

How old is your battery?

I had a dead one earlier this year. Same case; electronics worked but couldn't start. Jump started it and could drive it normally until I turned off, after which I couldn't restart it.

All it needed was a new battery. Mine lasted 2 years and a bit.

One thing to note is that these maintenance-free batteries don't die gradually. They'll be working without issue until that time you can't start the car.

Good to know. Got some WD40 and better spanners, going to try and remove it in a bit.

 

[brandonbillingham]

Removed battery, charged over night and nothing. Picked up a new battery today which I'll fit tonight.

 

[brandonbillingham]

After jump starting twice with the old battery the check engine light came on. Could this just be a low voltage error?

I've put a new battery in now and it's working fine but the engine light is still present.

 

[RQ3ZQTB]

After jump starting twice with the old battery the check engine light came on. Could this just be a low voltage error?

I've put a new battery in now and it's working fine but the engine light is still present.

You have to read the DTC ...

 

[brandonbillingham]

You have to read the DTC ...

Sorry no idea what a DTC is.

Update though, when I got to work I called break down company who came anc checked the engine light codes, was just an old low voltage one. Cleared it and everything fine since.

 

[Matthen]

DTC = Diagnostic Trouble Code - the engine light code in your terms