battery or electrics - Saxperience

saxofurio100 · 24th January 2011, 14:20

hi went to start my vtr up yesterday nothing battery dead but it had not been started for a week or so so i changed it for a spare fully charged one that i have started straight away anyway go to start it today the fully charged battery wont start all you can hear is clicking (think starter motor) also notice no heaters, no heated rear window (power steering stoped working couple of weeks ago you cant hear the fuel pump priming and i noticed that if i put the lights on it turns the petrol gauge back down from the real level and dims the dash light what is going on?

outrage_uk · 24th January 2011, 14:27

Are you sure its a fully charged one - not a knackered one you think is charged?

Try starting it with jump leads and another car, with it running.

Then go to somewhere like Halfords for a free alternator check (or at very least check voltage with a multimeter it should be a healthy 14.4 even under load.

stevo67 · 24th January 2011, 14:32

My car did almost the same thing with the guages etc charged the battery overnight car started straight away.Took it for a run the guages wenn`t mad it was the alternator that had packed up.

Steve.

saxofurio100 · 24th January 2011, 15:22

well recharged the first battery refited started straight away heaters and rear screen working but still no pas ill check voltage on alternator next if thats fine could something be causing the batteries to drain so quickly

stevo67 · 24th January 2011, 16:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by saxofurio100

well recharged the first battery refited started straight away heaters and rear screen working but still no pas ill check voltage on alternator next if thats fine could something be causing the batteries to drain so quickly

A few things can cause battery drain the alternator being 1 of the culprits as can a car stereo too.When you get the car running the alternator should be putting out 14volts.

Steve

saxofurio100 · 24th January 2011, 16:41

no stereo in car at moment so cant be that ill check the alternator tomorow and go from there thanks for the help so far guys

Aaron1992 · 24th January 2011, 21:24

i have the exaxt same problem but im sure its not the altenator cause it was only changed a few months ago.

Aaron1992 · 24th January 2011, 21:30

although when it happened to me my battery light came on and then my power steering ect. went

outrage_uk · 24th January 2011, 21:41

That sounds like the alternator to me aaron lad

The power steering, heaters and rear window will only work if the alternator is supplying charging current. If it was a new one a few months ago, id want it changed under warranty.

Aaron1992 · 24th January 2011, 21:47

ta outrage

saxofurio100 · 25th January 2011, 10:37

battery voltage with engine running 14.4 alternator current 14 .5 when under load with ligths and heaters on battery current 14.2 alternator 14.3 does this sound about right?

saxofurio100 · 25th January 2011, 16:56

if the alternator is on its way out would it have less voltage than the battery?

outrage_uk · 25th January 2011, 17:30

Sounds perfect to me voltage wise mate, if it supplies 14+ volts while under full load it should be OK. You could still get a current test (Amps) done at somewhere like Halfords for piece of mind?

I would think that the problem is the battery. If it has a dead cell then the alternator will be trying to charge a battery that will only ever hold 10.5 volts at best, and on full load while your driving it the alternator is basically running everything on it's own.

If you can afford it, then I can't recommend : Bosch Silver Battery HSB012 highly enough. If you find someone close to you with a trade card it's about £60, £103 is OTT. 5 year warranty as well

Other reliable brands are Exide or Varta