Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26708
Battery dying?
It could be the early signs of my battery losing the will to live.
The car has been sat around all weekend and not used. Last use was by swmbo who used it for a few short journeys last week.
Car has permanently live accessory sockets, by bridging the relay. It's been like this from new.
I have a cheapo voltmeter that I leave plugged into a socket most of the time. Against my IId tool, it reads .2 of a volt too high, so all figures I quote are probably .2 volt too high 8)
When I finished my breakfast, I hit the remote to warm the cabin. I came to the car 20 minutes later, the heater had not fired. The fuel tank was full.
I noted the volts were reading 12.4 on my cheapo voltmeter, so IId would have registered 12.2.
I usually switch on the ignition, and wait for system check to complete before I press the brake and button to start. This morning the volts immediately dropped to 11.5, message appeared to start engine immediately due to low system voltage. I cranked the engine and the voltmeter dropped to 10v whilst cranking. The engine started.
Of course the D4 system nanny switched on the screen heaters. However, it seemed to take an age before the charging kicked in. I reckon it was about 2 minutes of driving before the voltage started to climb. It eventually reached a maximum value of 15.4 volts, and stayed above 15v all the way from Manchester to Hull.
Came to car this evening, to drive to Market Rasen and volts were 12.4 before I unlocked the car. Once started the charge quickly settled at around 14.8. - 15volts. By the time I finished the journey the volts were 14.6.
I am in a hotel now, and have set the timed climate for the morning. It will be interesting to see if it fires.
March 2013 HSE Lux. Mainly done long journeys all its life, now on 70k and not getting as much use as its used to.
What do you think?
12th Dec 2016 8:18 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 72799
Last use was by swmbo who used it for a few short journeys last week.
You're not blaming MrsG are you?
Last edited by DSL on 12th Dec 2016 8:26 pm. Edited 2 times in total
12th Dec 2016 8:23 pm
Gareth Site Moderator
Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26708
The jury's out Del. She usually breaks things!
12th Dec 2016 8:24 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 72799
Remember Hell hath no fury like a SWMBO scorned.
For what little it costs to change I'd bung a new one in anyway. Changed the battery on the D4 (put an AGM one in) and it's transformed the starting. Plus remote widget dooie works a treat.
A CTek refurb charge just to give it a chance....BREXIT - done properly.
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12th Dec 2016 8:28 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 72799
Just get it fixed before the Ice Fest. You know none of us will be around when you need a jump start.
12th Dec 2016 8:30 pm
Gareth Site Moderator
Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26708
CTek is at home. Will do that next Friday. I'm on tour this week.
12th Dec 2016 8:30 pm
Gareth Site Moderator
Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26708
Betsys the Ice Fest vehicle of choice. If you're going to freeze your nuts off, do it properly. 8)
12th Dec 2016 8:31 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 72799
12th Dec 2016 8:39 pm
Gareth Site Moderator
Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26708
So this morning the timed heater came on at 0915 as planned. After 10 minutes running its at 12.2 volts. (Viewed through the window without waking the car up)
Ignition on drops to 11.8
Start engine briefly drops to 10.4
Engine running, no warning and it's now a 14.7 and climbing after 30 seconds of engine running.
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