battery

[maynard]

tried posting in problem section but not working properly :s

in the last few days the car hasnt been starting properly. when the ignition is turned on and then i try to turn the engine on it goes to start and then sort of dies but then kicks in. this morning that didnt happen, it didnt work a all then had to be bump started to get it going.

now was told that it could be the battery that needs changing. have bought one today and went ot change it tonight but come across a little problem.

how do you disconnect the leads going to the battery? we couldnt work it out and didnt want to force the leads off if its a simple job. have checked my citroen and haynes manual but didnt really say much in it. any ideas?

sorry for the essay by the way!

[maynard]

ignore the first part...

[ragbmx]

atcully sounds more like your starter motor mate!

[maynard]

you sure?

[SaxoJamie]

Use a wrench to loosen the bolt of the cable on the negative side first (negative will be marked with a - and coloured black) Grab the cable end and slide it up and off the battery terminal. Do the same for the positive side (marked with a + and coloured red) after the bolt is loose, slide it up and off the battery terminal.

When you reconnect the cables to the battery, make sure to place the ends on the terminals all the way down and use the wrench to tighten the bolts up again.

Also make sure the positive cable does not make contact with any metal part of the car!

[sax_o_milley]

mine did this just cleaned all the earth points off the battery been fine since :y:

[maynard]

Use a wrench to loosen the bolt of the cable on the negative side first (negative will be marked with a - and coloured black) Grab the cable end and slide it up and off the battery terminal. Do the same for the positive side (marked with a + and coloured red) after the bolt is loose, slide it up and off the battery terminal.

When you reconnect the cables to the battery, make sure to place the ends on the terminals all the way down and use the wrench to tighten the bolts up again.

Also make sure the positive cable does not make contact with any metal part of the car!

that seem very helpful, but theres like plastic caps on mine. what are theses and does this still apply?

[sax_o_milley]

just tap them round they will undo they might be abit tight but they will come off

[SaxoJamie]

that seem very helpful, but theres like plastic caps on mine. what are theses and does this still apply?

The plastic caps are insulation mate. I think it is the same procedure. Use the wrench to loosen the plastic caps as they will be quite tight

[sax_o_milley]

forgot to say when you take cables off the threads left on the battery terminals prise off but be careful as they are abit fragile

[stalkah66]

if you dont have a wrench use a flat bladed screw driver and a hammer.... BUT dont hit it too hard just a few light taps untill it starts to move then undo by hand

[maynard]

thats cool, this is what this site is for help and info like you guys have just given will give this a go tomorrow and see how i get on, will let you all knwo of course.

also, from reading the problem at the top of the page, do you think this will solve the problem ive got or not?

[sax_o_milley]

i got told by rac bloke that my battery was fooked took it off had it checked & it was ok so i just cleaned up all the earth points & its been fine since.maine earth point black lead off your battery where it joins body :y:

[maynard]

fair does will check that the lead looks ok then.

[theshrew69]

Yes it sounds like the battery is knackered. Or its not charging correctly.

Prob the battery if it only just started doing it as the cold weather will show the problem up more.

If your not sure just see if its charging ok. Get a multi meter on the battery when its running no electrics on it the car. It should read about 14.5 Volts or around about that. Or a Garage will prob check for you free or a very small charge it only takes seconds to do.

Just be carefull wen taking the battery off and putting on your spanner dont hit anythin metal on the car cos it could blow up. And when they blow they blow big time.

[stalkah66]

thats cool, this is what this site is for help and info like you guys have just given will give this a go tomorrow and see how i get on, will let you all knwo of course.

also, from reading the problem at the top of the page, do you think this will solve the problem ive got or not?

Gotta be worth some rep ;)

I would try disconnecting then reconnecting battery, if its still the same take it off and take it down to your local battery tyres and exhaust garage they will be able to check it and 99% of time will not charge.

Does sound like a battery on its way out mate.

Let us know how you get on.

[maynard]

Yes it sounds like the battery is knackered. Or its not charging correctly.

Prob the battery if it only just started doing it as the cold weather will show the problem up more.

If your not sure just see if its charging ok. Get a multi meter on the battery when its running no electrics on it the car. It should read about 14.5 Volts or around about that. Or a Garage will prob check for you free or a very small charge it only takes seconds to do.

Just be carefull wen taking the battery off and putting on your spanner dont hit anythin metal on the car cos it could blow up. And when they blow they blow big time.

what do you mean, spanner touching where? and what blowing up?

have got the battery just need to change it in the morning when we can see what we are doing. people will be repped.

[maynard]

anyways this seems to be fixed now, fitted the battery and its kicked straight upon start up! hopefully this will stay the same. people have been repped.

[stalkah66]

Hopefully that will have sorted it, if it does happen again in a short space of time check the connectors on alternator

[theshrew69]

what do you mean, spanner touching where? and what blowing up?

have got the battery just need to change it in the morning when we can see what we are doing. people will be repped.

I ment if the spanner was on the battery post and then you touch it on the car well metal parts it can short the battery out. Sometimes this can cause them to blow up as it only takes a small spark for this to happen.

As someone else has said if it carries on check the alternator and starter conections.

Plus you should put a bit of greese or vasoline or something on your battery posts now you fitted it. It will stop them from corrosion which can cause problems in the future