Battery or Alternator
Discussion
The battery went flat a few ago weeks on my 96 4ltr. Fully charged and car ran great until Saturday after a long run when all off a sudden when pulling away it lost all power. The car would tickover ok but still a total loss of power and when I tried to start the car it wouldn't turnover. Charged the battery overnight car ran ok on Sunday then after driving a few miles last night the same happened. Had halfords check the battery and their meter result was battery ok recharge. Could it be a problem with the alternator or should I change the battery. I've owned the car for approx 2 months so not sure how old the battery is...can someone please help?
If the battery died during a long run it would appear that it is not being charged. Is the charging light lit on the dashboard? It should light with the ignition switched on, go out when the engine starts and briefly light as you switch the ignition off. If it's not doing each of these three things there is an alternator or wiring fault.
As you're not sure of the age of the battery and it has now been discharged a few times, it is probably beyond it's best. But fix the charging problem first.
Do a search on here on '100A fuse'. There will be a few search results, some may show the same symptoms as your car.
As you're not sure of the age of the battery and it has now been discharged a few times, it is probably beyond it's best. But fix the charging problem first.
Do a search on here on '100A fuse'. There will be a few search results, some may show the same symptoms as your car.
With the engine running at low speed put all the lights and the blower on, you should see the lights get a bit brighter, and the fan run faster when you rev the engine. If you have a meter check the voltage increase when the engine is revved. This will prove whether the alternator is charging.
Do you mean that Halfords said the battery was Ok but needed charging?
Car batteries don't like being run flat and left for any length of time, due to the location its impossible to top the electrolyte up in situ so they get neglected.
On a 96 car when you don't know the age of the battery i would replace it anyway. Get a maintenance free one.
Shop around, try local motor factors, because prices vary a lot.
And when you've sorted it, unless you drive the car at least weekly for at least 20 miles, get an Accumate charger. This plugs into the cigar lighter and you can leave it on all the time ensuring the battery is in top charge state when you want to use the car.
Oh, and before you try to remove the battery, make sure you mark its position, many posts on here about that, otherwise you'll have hours of frustration crawling about under it trying to get it back again!
And as Andy said, do check the 100 amp fuse first!
Do you mean that Halfords said the battery was Ok but needed charging?
Car batteries don't like being run flat and left for any length of time, due to the location its impossible to top the electrolyte up in situ so they get neglected.
On a 96 car when you don't know the age of the battery i would replace it anyway. Get a maintenance free one.
Shop around, try local motor factors, because prices vary a lot.
And when you've sorted it, unless you drive the car at least weekly for at least 20 miles, get an Accumate charger. This plugs into the cigar lighter and you can leave it on all the time ensuring the battery is in top charge state when you want to use the car.
Oh, and before you try to remove the battery, make sure you mark its position, many posts on here about that, otherwise you'll have hours of frustration crawling about under it trying to get it back again!
And as Andy said, do check the 100 amp fuse first!
The ignition light goes out after starting. Though to me it does seem that the alternator is not charging as last night with the lights on the car died after approximately 4-5 miles. Halfords, said yes the battery is ok though requires charging if I remember correctly the reading was 11.84 volts. The problem started after I did not run the car for a week and half. I would love to have an accumate but my garage has no power available.
Start with the 100amp fuse, Its under the car to the O/S of the sump on the chassis, you need the car on stands to get proper access.On mine the fuse was in good condition but the terminals were loose.
If that checks out Ok I would get the alternator output checked by an auto electrician
If that checks out Ok I would get the alternator output checked by an auto electrician
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