Battery Not Holding Charge!

[spartacus]

I am having battery problems, seems if I leave the car much more than abut 3 days i don't have enough juice to turn engine over, get rapid clicking. Last time it happened jump started car, no problem. The battery is no more than two years old. Obviously it could just be the battery. I want to check the fuses with ignition off, got my digital multimeter at the ready, the fuse box uses the flat blade type fuses and the probes on my meter wont fit in the slots, is there an easier way to test each of the fuses?

[spartacus]

Steve_T said:

Hate to say it, but could be that the alternator is not charging the battery, as mine presented similar symptoms. Check the voltage across the battery (12.7-12.8 volts when healthy) then fire the car up and test again. When the engine is running, it should be higher, if the alternator is charging the battery. It may simply be that the big fuse is about to die/has died. Give me a shout if I can help. Steve.

Thanks Steve, I will investigate the alternator performance, as you suggest, first before before checking all the fuses individually.

[spartacus]

Guys, thanks for the advice, going to have a go now. I have a portable charger pack to jump start her, so will go for a drive then do the tests you guys have suggested. BTW if I have to disconnect the battery will the alarm come on, and if so can I just stop it with the remote fob or do I have to take more drastic action?

[spartacus]

Just been to the lockup and here's what I found with my nice new digital multimeter...

Flat battery before jump - 8v

After jump start and tickover for a few minutes - 13.8v
Tickover with headlights on - 13.3v

Took it for a drive for 15minutes or so....

Tickover & both fans on - 13.10v
Tickover with lights, aircon fan & cooling fan on - 12.6v
Tickover & just aircon - 13.5v
Engine off - 12.7v
Engine off & lights on - 12.4v

So it sounds like alternator seems to be charging ok?

Checked for current drain next....

Boot light, bulb missing so no drain there.
All interior lights off
Checked fuses for current, meter set to amps, duh! just realised blade fuses have contact points on back (thanks GreenV8s) so put lights on to prove I'm not mad, current showing in fuse no 4, good, lights off and tested all fuses, no current registering at all. So no obvious current drain apart from alarm and imobiliser, so I guess my battery must be fooked, or on the way to being fooked, cant believe just the imobiliser would flaten battery in just 4 days!

[spartacus]

Steve_T said:

Just a note from changing battery my experience of changing the battery. Take the old one with you to the supplier, as not all batteries of the relevant type will fit. Steve.

YHM Steve.

[spartacus]

Got the battery out with no problems, however finding a replacement is not so easy, lugged my old battery round about 8 different motor factors in my area, no cigar, anything they have had in stock of correct spec has been, too long, terminals on wrong side (+ terminal needs to line up with opening in fibreglass battery cowling) or not hand clamping lip.
Going to try ARE in Hersham and CPC Batteries in Twickenham, if neither of them can help I will have to attend the Melling gig Sunday with a set of jump leads. If anyone has had any luck finding one for a 4.2 Cerb recently in a 15 mile radius of Kingston Upon Thames please let me know!!!!!

>> Edited by spartacus on Thursday 11th August 17:00

[spartacus]

Job done! found an outfit called CPC Batteries in Twickenham, they have a massive range in stock and are very knowledgeable.

[spartacus]

barcli said:

spartacus, if i can help any more email me at [e-mail]

Good idea about the isolator, I may well rig up something like that myself, is your isolator in the grill mouth of your cerb?