Do I need a new battery?
|
Posts: 70
Threads: 9
Thanks Received: 7 in 4 posts
Thanks Given: 9
Joined: Sep 2012
Location: Colchester
Reputation:
0
Hi everyone
The van died on me a few weeks back and needed a new alternator (I knew it was on its way out by the noise it was making). Got the van back, all was good.
I guess as the alternator problem was happening for a while I should have changed the battery at the same time but, alas, I didn't. Went to start the van Monday morning and it just kept trying to turn over and eventually died and wouldn't do anything.
Tried again today but its not different, although the battery is reading 12.1v. After trying to start it a few times the voltage dropped to 11.7v.
I figured the battery was the obvious place to start before the plugs?
Also, on a side note, I think the garage put in too much oil on its last service. The dash level is completely full and on checking the dipstick the level is quite a bit over the max line, could this be the cause of my recent sluggish performance and slight "tractor" noise?
Thanks!
Peugeot Partner 2.0hdi • Ford Focus RS • Porsche 944 • BMW 120d
•
Posts: 1,584
Threads: 74
Thanks Received: 327 in 270 posts
Thanks Given: 144
Joined: Mar 2012
Location: Herefordshire
Reputation:
4
(20-03-2013, 02:37 PM)ST12AT Wrote: Hi everyone
The van died on me a few weeks back and needed a new alternator (I knew it was on its way out by the noise it was making). Got the van back, all was good.
I guess as the alternator problem was happening for a while I should have changed the battery at the same time but, alas, I didn't. Went to start the van Monday morning and it just kept trying to turn over and eventually died and wouldn't do anything.
Tried again today but its not different, although the battery is reading 12.1v. After trying to start it a few times the voltage dropped to 11.7v.
I figured the battery was the obvious place to start before the plugs?
Also, on a side note, I think the garage put in too much oil on its last service. The dash level is completely full and on checking the dipstick the level is quite a bit over the max line, could this be the cause of my recent sluggish performance and slight "tractor" noise?
Thanks!
Battery should be at 14.4v so it probably is well shot.
The excess oil will find its own way out -unfortunatly it may not be in the most healthy way for the rest of the engine so its probably as well to drop a litre out then replenish with some fresh to the right level
The following 1 user says Thank You to evdama for this post:1 user says Thank You to evdama for this post
• ST12AT
Posts: 70
Threads: 9
Thanks Received: 7 in 4 posts
Thanks Given: 9
Joined: Sep 2012
Location: Colchester
Reputation:
0
Thanks
Hopefully that'll do the trick.
Peugeot Partner 2.0hdi • Ford Focus RS • Porsche 944 • BMW 120d
•
Posts: 1,912
Threads: 29
Thanks Received: 375 in 329 posts
Thanks Given: 67
Joined: Nov 2012
Location: Derbyshire
Reputation:
20
The battery will read 12.6 or thereabouts with the engine off if it is healthy, 14.4 with it running and the alternator charging it up.
So where does this bit go then ?
•
Posts: 70
Threads: 9
Thanks Received: 7 in 4 posts
Thanks Given: 9
Joined: Sep 2012
Location: Colchester
Reputation:
0
Well it was 12.16 with the engine off. Can't read it with the engine going as I can't get the engine started.
I can hear the glow plugs buzzing when the ignition is on...
Peugeot Partner 2.0hdi • Ford Focus RS • Porsche 944 • BMW 120d
•
Posts: 130
Threads: 5
Thanks Received: 30 in 22 posts
Thanks Given: 1
Joined: Mar 2013
Location: Earth
Reputation:
0
From what you say, battery sounds okay, however a battery must be tested under load.
Check volt reading when trying to start the car or get one of these:
http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/produc...ery+tester
•
Posts: 70
Threads: 9
Thanks Received: 7 in 4 posts
Thanks Given: 9
Joined: Sep 2012
Location: Colchester
Reputation:
0
(20-03-2013, 06:34 PM)MudFT Wrote: From what you say, battery sounds okay, however a battery must be tested under load.
Check volt reading when trying to start the car or get one of these:
http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/produc...ery+tester
I take it that will provide the load instead of the engine...
Peugeot Partner 2.0hdi • Ford Focus RS • Porsche 944 • BMW 120d
•
Posts: 1,548
Threads: 101
Thanks Received: 276 in 220 posts
Thanks Given: 384
Joined: Apr 2011
Location: Newcastle -u-Lyme, Staffordshire
Reputation:
0
20-03-2013, 07:08 PM
(This post was last modified: 20-03-2013, 07:15 PM by j90xxx.)
(20-03-2013, 06:34 PM)MudFT Wrote: From what you say, battery sounds okay, however a battery must be tested under load.
Check volt reading when trying to start the car or get one of these:
http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/produc...ery+tester
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Clarke-Battery...4d0aae0ae9
I have had something similar to this for many years.
Proved excellent for basic battery/alternator testing.
(And paid less than £5 for it.)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Yato-professio...27cf9ea509
As mentioned in previous replies you need 12.5v + in the battery and 14.5v when engine (alternator) is running (charging). :thumbsup:
•
Posts: 130
Threads: 5
Thanks Received: 30 in 22 posts
Thanks Given: 1
Joined: Mar 2013
Location: Earth
Reputation:
0
20-03-2013, 07:47 PM
(This post was last modified: 20-03-2013, 07:48 PM by MudFT.)
(20-03-2013, 06:49 PM)ST12AT Wrote: (20-03-2013, 06:34 PM)MudFT Wrote: From what you say, battery sounds okay, however a battery must be tested under load.
Check volt reading when trying to start the car or get one of these:
http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/produc...ery+tester
I take it that will provide the load instead of the engine...
Yes, a very good tool to own.
J90xxx's ebay link looks a good option.
•
Posts: 1,912
Threads: 29
Thanks Received: 375 in 329 posts
Thanks Given: 67
Joined: Nov 2012
Location: Derbyshire
Reputation:
20
20-03-2013, 08:11 PM
(This post was last modified: 20-03-2013, 08:51 PM by ffrenchie.)
(20-03-2013, 06:16 PM)ST12AT Wrote: Well it was 12.16 with the engine off. Can't read it with the engine going as I can't get the engine started.
I can hear the glow plugs buzzing when the ignition is on...
12.16 is a dead battery, anything below 12.5v is suspect. It will not turn the engine fast enough to start unless it is warm or a very good starter. Get a jump off a good battery then read the voltage the alternator is putting out Which will be between 13.8 and 14.4 if it is in good order. In reply to your first question I'd say yes you need a new battery and save the money for a tester to put towards it.
So where does this bit go then ?
The following 1 user says Thank You to ffrenchie for this post:1 user says Thank You to ffrenchie for this post
• ST12AT
|
Users browsing this thread: 1 Guest(s)
|
Welcome
|
You have to register before you can post on our site.
|
Latest Threads
|
Service interval notice
Last Post: jocas74
Today 02:23 AM
» Replies: 7
» Views: 359
|
Winter Tyres
Last Post: geoff
Today 12:19 AM
» Replies: 0
» Views: 17
|
23 plate Citreon Berlingo classed as a van
Last Post: W Petsa
Yesterday 10:39 PM
» Replies: 2
» Views: 35
|
The creation of my personal solo-travellor.
Last Post: EM58
Yesterday 06:17 PM
» Replies: 12
» Views: 740
|
M59 Throttle pedal
Last Post: evdama
Yesterday 01:10 PM
» Replies: 5
» Views: 178
|
Berlingo 2007 1.6 hdi - intermittent sticky acce...
Last Post: Romahomepete
Yesterday 01:05 PM
» Replies: 7
» Views: 329
|
roof rack with slats
Last Post: BigVtwin996
Yesterday 11:53 AM
» Replies: 4
» Views: 192
|
Battery upgrade
Last Post: evdama
27-03-2024 03:58 PM
» Replies: 0
» Views: 99
|
Wanted: 2003 M59 steering rack
Last Post: evdama
27-03-2024 12:45 PM
» Replies: 1
» Views: 57
|
Airbag Fault Code
Last Post: Cumbrian
26-03-2024 03:06 PM
» Replies: 1
» Views: 214
|
Recent Visitors
|
|
Hosting by
|
|
|