Technical Uno Battery/starting Problem

[devakanth]

Hi All,

I have an Uno Diesel and it was not running for the past 15 days, as I was out of town. When I came back, I could not start the car. The heating coil which is a yellow light on the dashboard was not coming on. The battery and oil lights were on. The turn of the inginition didn't have any effect at all. No clicking sound, nothing.

I thought the battery got discharged, so pushed the card and got it started. Kept it running for 2 hours. I thought the battery would get charged with all the running. When I stopped it and tried the ignition again, the same effect. no yellow light and nothing happened with the turn of the ignition.

Took out the battery and got it checked by the service guy. He says the battery is fully charged and everything is ok with it.

I tried to connect the battery. I connected the negative terminal first. It gives a spark with I try to connect the positive terminal. I disconnected it immediately. I cross checked to see that the ignition is switched off when I was trying to connect it. When I keep the positive terminal connected for 2-3 seconds, the battery wire gets very hot. I have kept the terminals disconnected now and will call a mechanic in the evening.

Can anybody suggest why this could be happening? I understand that there is some short circuit somewhere which is causing this. but how to find out where this short circuit is happening?

ALso, with the battery disconnected, we tried to push the car and get it started. but we were not sure whether it would get started at all. It didn't. is it needed that the battery be connected when we push the car to start it?

Devakanth

 

[devakanth]

While reading info about batteries on the internet, I realized that I may have connected the battery with reverse polarity. Went home and checked it out and found that I was right. I reconnected the battery with proper polarity and the car started without any problem.

I see that the battery light on the dashboard is on all the time now. which means that the battery is not getting charged. could something have got spoilt when the battery was connected with reverse polarity? All the electronic/electrical parts (all lights, radio, blower etc.) are working properly.

Devakanth

 

[SteveNZ]

If you are lucky you will have just blown the main fues or fueable link. Probably a whole lot of other fuses too. Check them

 

[devakanth]

I'll check the fuses. I notice that when I press the accelerator and therefore give it a raise, the battery warning light dims out a little. Does this indicate that the alternator is working partially?

Devakanth

 

[kasedie]

if you have access to a multimeter you could check if the voltave at your battery terminals increase when you start the car and rev it a little. if it goes up to between 13and 14.4 volts then your alternator is good. if not check the wiring and the alternator. its not nice when your lights go out and the car starts spouttering on the highway cause you ignored the faint alternator light.

 

[devakanth]

with the last breath of power that the battery had, the engine barely managed to start. after its starting I went straight to the service station and gave the car there.

I don't have a multimeter with me. But I plan to get one soon. I need it desperately.

I will let you all know what the mechanic says tomorrow. I hope he doesn' t ask to change the whole alternator. that will cost me quite a bundle.

Thanks.
Devakanth

 

[devakanth]

The alternator plate was replaced and that should take care of the battery charging warning light.

When I went to collect the car the service centre people say that the starter switch (the part when we insert the igintion key) has burnt due to connecting the battery in reverse polarity. When I asked "does the engine start" he says that it gives a click sound but it starts. I am not sure if the service centre people are honest guys. I've noticed that they always give me a larger bill and give a reason that a certain part had to be replaced which was not giving problem earlier.

Could this be a valid reason connecting the battery in reverse polarity burnt the starter switch?

I have a good mind of joining a mechanic course in some institute and start repairing/maintaining my car myself.

Devakanth

 

[devakanth]

any clues guys? The car starts with some effort while turning the ignition key. otherwise it is working fine.

Devakanth

 

[devakanth]

Re: Uno Battery/starting Problem solved.

Got the car today from the mechanic. He found problems in the starter motor, solenoid and one of the heater coils.

The starter motor wiring and insulation was burnt and the carbon deposition was a lot. The carbon burshes were worn out. He replaced all of them and caused a hole in my pocket. (

On top of that, the battery was also gone in a strange way. It was giving enough power to switch on the headlights and other electrical parts except turn the starter motor. it didn't have enough power to crack the engine. Bought a new one. Amaron.

The car starts immediately when I turn the switch and the engine starting sound is so soothing. )

Thanks to all who tried to help.

Devakanth

 

[alexGS]

Re: Uno Battery/starting Problem solved.

Good to hear. The starter motors on all models don't last forever, but they're fairly easy and cheap to rejuvenate if you can get the brushes. The commutator can be polished up with 400grit and then 1000grit sandpaper. I use engine oil for the splines and bushes too.

-Alex