Battery or alternator

[Donkii]

Hi guys,

Car has started twice failed to start for me in the last week. It's not a starter problem I don't think as there has been a click and on the other occasions the car starts perfectly. I think either the battery has had it, it is a good number of years old, or the alternator isn't supplying enough juice to charge it. Once going the car is fine everything works and with no warnig lights just has failed to start on 2 occasions. When it fails to start everything else in the car worked lights radio wipers etc and a short jump start got it going. Any ideas? Hoping battery and not alternator.

 

[Peter.N.]

Easy way to tell, connect a meter across the battery and start the engine, if the alternator is OK it should read a bit over 14 volts, if it does suspect the battery or its terminals, they can have an intermittent connection and need cleaning.

Peter

 

[Donkii]

Would a cheaply meter from B&Q do the job?

 

[Peter.N.]

I would think they would be accurate enough. Can't you borrow one?

Peter

 

[wotan]

I would suspect the starter motor is about to fail, happened to me with Ford Escort TD

Wotan

 

[gregers]

from what i have read a meter will only tell you if the alt is charging,
a drop test is needed to be done.to check the battery,
your local battery place will be able to do this.

 

[Peter.N.]

I think that is what he wants to know.

 

[Burnerman]

He could get a reasonable idea if the battery is goosed because if it falls below 10v when cranking thats about it.....if the terminals are suspect then they could be getting hot.
When I were a lad and the world was young, a dud cell could be identified by the fizzing within when the car was cranked
A motor factor will test the battery with pleasure - and take even greater pleasure in selling a new one
John

 

[Donkii]

Thanks for the advice guys, borrowed a meter tonight so will do the test.

On the way to work today I drove with headlights on, wipers on, a/c on full, demister on radio on and all worked (was some fluctuation on fan speed on A/C thou, not alot). Turned the car off after turnign off all the devices and tried to start again, no problems lit right up. Thought I would try leaving the lights on for a minute with car off, tried to start the car nothing click, click with the lights on dash dimming and flickering, had to turn the lights off and let it sit for 5 minutes. Then reluctantly she lit up again took for a further spin around work, stopped it and then started again no problems.

Part of me is thinking the battery is old and just not able to take and hold the charge anymore but then the pessimistic part of me is saying the Alternator is goosed and not charging the battery tonight, I will do the test tonight and hope I get over 14v across the terminals. Then take to my local tyre/battery place, should they have a more conclusive test?

 

[Peter.N.]

Sounds very much like the battery. Because of their construction modern batteries will provide enough power to start the car when they have little actual capacity left, so they will go flat in a very short space of time if left under even a light load.

Peter

 

[Donkii]

Sounds very much like the battery. Because of their construction modern batteries will provide enough power to start the car when they have little actual capacity left, so they will go flat in a very short space of time if left under even a light load.

Peter

Heres hoping, cause I would hope a new battery would be £50 or £60 where as an alternator would be £150 to £200?

 

[Burnerman]

Battery for sure (almost)
Amazing how they last as well as they do, really.
John

 

[Donkii]

Just rang a local tyre/battery place, he seemed a nice enough guy said to call in and they will test the battery and alternator output for free, so will call in after work.

How much should a battery set me back? Halfords online checker was saying over £100, is that there usual over the standard prices?

 

[Burnerman]

The world is yer ostrich regarding battery prices - you'll be offered anything from a 1 year to a life time warranty and the price difference can be as much as £50.
For me, neither Halfords or a tyre outlet (robbers both)......a local motor factor will do the best deal, and they can also test the existing battery and alternator for you.
Have you got your radio code??
John

 

[JohnD]

you can often find a good price on fleabay.

My car had a Yuasa fitted from new, and I could get one for £60 delivered which is much cheaper than my local factor, or a Varta for £70. Your car may need a bigger one. Wife's car also has a Yuasa and we just changed it at 8 years old.

an advantage of a local factor is that you can take it back if it goes wrong.

I would not want to buy a no-name batt with less than a 3-year gurantee.



p.s. at this time of year, I didn't need to read more than your thread title to say to myself "it'll be the battery"