Technical Dead Multipla

[tarcwyn]

Hello all. After picking up our 2003 Multipla 1.9 TD from the in laws in Germany and driving for about 100 miles, we dropped off the mother in-law at the train station. The second she disappeared into the crowds, we tried to set off again the car was as dead as a do-do! fortunately we managed to get some jump leads off a copper and someone to jump start it. It worked and we were on our way and arrived at where we are staying. I left if overnight and tried starting the car up and it worked although it is a bit sluggish.

Does this sound like a duff battery or a duff alternator. Not a good start for our first Multipla experience!

many thanks in advance

 

[tarcwyn]

I also forgot to mention that the airbag and engine management light stays on the dash after the engine has started along with a nice message that reads 'Motor Defekt'

 

[BikeDoc]

When you say 'dead as a Dodo' ('do-do' is something else entirely), were there no lights coming on on the Dash at all, or was the Engine just not turning over on the Key?

If you don't get the Battery Warning Light on while it's running, then your Alternator is probably OK.

Check the Battery terminal clamps.
Disconnect them, and clean their inside surface, and the surface of the Battery terminal posts that they clamp onto.
Use Green Scotchbrite (or rough scouring pad material), fine Emery cloth, Wet-and-Dry paper, or Steel-Wool.

If you can, check the Voltage at the Battery with the Engine idling, should be around 13.5V - 14.5V.

A low Battery Voltage (or 'dying' Battery) can throw up all sorts of spurious messages, they will normally disappear once it's been running for a while, as long as the Battery is charging OK.

 

[Gavlar]

As above.
Do all as bikedoc suggests. Batteries can be funny buggers when they start playing up.

 

[tarcwyn]

Thanks for that. I will try that and see what happens. I just hope it gets us back to the UK!

 

[tarcwyn]

It turns out that the battery was duff. So, after over 130 euros, some choice words and some grazed knuckles, the new battery is in and the dash now says 'OK' which is nice. However, the airbag light is still on. Is this a MOT failure these days?

 

[boilermansab]

Its is in the UK

 

[tarcwyn]

Is there any way of cancelling it?

 

[BikeDoc]

If it's still there, then if cancelled it will most likely come back.
Get yourself a Code Reader (£5-£20), and download one of the free ECU Reader Software packages.
You'll be able to access the fault codes, and cancel them, but if you have a 'hard' fault, it'll obviously need sorting.

 

[tarcwyn]

Cheers bikedoc. This might become alot more complicated! Especially if it is an mot failure. Could end up spending more than i hoped to.