[nath_89]

hey guys, i have a dilema with my electrics, my battery isnt holding charge for sum reason, when i drive at night with my headlights on the radio cuts in and out , and with the headlights on there is no power to the accessories .............even after running 40 minutes to work i turn it off and try and start it up and theres no power ???? doin my head in.......

[Rusho]

Dodgy alternator perhaps??

[89_tintop]

bad earth

check all your earths mate

[mightymouse]

start it up put multimeter on battery read, if not 14volts or more, new alternator.

[nath_89]

yea i tried that was about 12.50

[peeeete]

checked your battery water levels, made sure your battery isn't loose in the battery tray, made sure your fan belt is tensioned properly, made sure your wipers aren't in the on position if they don't work (happened to me)...

I would say bad earth or old battery... I have the same problem... I'm just too cheap to buy a new battery, I just have to make sure I park on a hill...

[nath_89]

the battery is maintance free , what earths exactly should i be checking?

[steak_knife]

mightymouse wrote:

:? start it up put multimeter on battery read, if not 14volts or more, new alternator.

X2, 12.5 volt's tells me the alt is only running on 2 phases, time for an upgrade.

[89_tintop]

check what charge is coming out of the back of the alternator. because it may be voltage drop from there to the battery. to ckeck for voltage drop put the leads of your multimetre between the + on the battery and the main lead on the back of your alternator.. there should be a voltage readout.. do the same for -.. from the - terminal on battery to the alternator body.


check all earths that you can find make sure there is one to the engine block and also to the body/chassis.

[nath_89]

should i upgrade to alternator to a ford unit??? is it a hard job??

[v6zookie]

If u pull the batery lead of the battery dose the motor stop . if so its not an earthing problem its aalternator problem. and only takes a few minits to do.

[JrZook]

v6zookie wrote:

If u pull the batery lead of the battery dose the motor stop . if so its not an earthing problem its aalternator problem. and only takes a few minits to do.

I would not suggest this. Alternator senses no battery voltage and can send a massive voltage spike through everything. Just use a multi on the batt and run the engine @1000rpm. You should be getting more than 13V. Takes less than a few mins to do

Maintenance free battery hey? So is it a fully sealed non lead acid batt? I assume not. Regardless of whats written on the battery check and top up the water levels.

Dan

[peeeete]

Top of the batt should have 6 little plugs in the with a flathead or Phillips head type hole in each you can open them with a ten cent piece... You need to fill the battery with DISTiLLED water till just below the plugs...

[89_tintop]

how did you go mate...
have you come up with anything yet??