Dead Battery or something else?
Discussion
My 1998 Chimaera 400 wouldn't start this morning and before calling the RAC I ran through a few tests.
The electrics seem fine as the doors, alarm, immobiliser all worked when I got in the vehicle. Turned on the ignition and heard the fuel pump prime - but it wasn't the loud noise and quick affair I’m used to, but more slow, painful, tired sound and action. So I tried turning the engine over, the starter motor sounded so slow as if it was struggling and it just wouldn't fire.
So after a few gentle rocks back and forth, the more I tried, the less it wanted to fire up. Next I tried with the lights on dipped beam and all I got was the solenoid clicking in and out - no starter motor engagement at all. I measured the voltage across the batteries with everything off and all I get is 10v.
The RAC was called and they jumped started me - it fired into life first time. I went for a small drive to warm everything up and came home. Checked the voltage again whilst the engine was running and I was getting 13.86v
So I parked up, engine off and put the accumate on and left it for two hours. When I went back to check if it would start up - nothing! All I get is a clicking solenoid and the very slow, painful fuel pump priming scenario.
My question is this - have I got a battery that is no longer holding charge or is it something more serious?
Also, I'm concerned that the accumate isn't working as leaving it on for sustained periods of time and I have never ever seen the green light saying it’s all topped up!
Any thoughts or suggestions would be very helpful.
Thanks
Mark
The electrics seem fine as the doors, alarm, immobiliser all worked when I got in the vehicle. Turned on the ignition and heard the fuel pump prime - but it wasn't the loud noise and quick affair I’m used to, but more slow, painful, tired sound and action. So I tried turning the engine over, the starter motor sounded so slow as if it was struggling and it just wouldn't fire.
So after a few gentle rocks back and forth, the more I tried, the less it wanted to fire up. Next I tried with the lights on dipped beam and all I got was the solenoid clicking in and out - no starter motor engagement at all. I measured the voltage across the batteries with everything off and all I get is 10v.
The RAC was called and they jumped started me - it fired into life first time. I went for a small drive to warm everything up and came home. Checked the voltage again whilst the engine was running and I was getting 13.86v
So I parked up, engine off and put the accumate on and left it for two hours. When I went back to check if it would start up - nothing! All I get is a clicking solenoid and the very slow, painful fuel pump priming scenario.
My question is this - have I got a battery that is no longer holding charge or is it something more serious?
Also, I'm concerned that the accumate isn't working as leaving it on for sustained periods of time and I have never ever seen the green light saying it’s all topped up!
Any thoughts or suggestions would be very helpful.
Thanks
Mark
mgjc said:
Cheers John - any suggestions on which battery charger?
For straight battery charging any one will do. Mine is from Halfords.I also have an Accumate conditioner from Leven Technology for when I'm not using my Chim for a few weeks when on holiday. It will charge a flat battery but takes a while.
Lead acid batteries don't like being fully discharged and it may never be the same again.
bsdnazz said:
For straight battery charging any one will do. Mine is from Halfords.
I also have an Accumate conditioner from Leven Technology for when I'm not using my Chim for a few weeks when on holiday. It will charge a flat battery but takes a while.
Lead acid batteries don't like being fully discharged and it may never be the same again.
This is my thinking that the battery has had too much sulphate build up and its FUBAR!I also have an Accumate conditioner from Leven Technology for when I'm not using my Chim for a few weeks when on holiday. It will charge a flat battery but takes a while.
Lead acid batteries don't like being fully discharged and it may never be the same again.
Sounds like a duff battery.
How old / what type is the current one? Not sure about Accumate as my trickle-charger is a different make, but most of these type of chargers aren't really up to charging a dead battery, and certainly not in 2 hours. They're normally more suited to keeping a battery topped up when car not in use for periods of time and to counter gradual drain from things such as alarms etc..
How old / what type is the current one? Not sure about Accumate as my trickle-charger is a different make, but most of these type of chargers aren't really up to charging a dead battery, and certainly not in 2 hours. They're normally more suited to keeping a battery topped up when car not in use for periods of time and to counter gradual drain from things such as alarms etc..
tonys said:
Sounds like a duff battery.
How old / what type is the current one? Not sure about Accumate as my trickle-charger is a different make, but most of these type of chargers aren't really up to charging a dead battery, and certainly not in 2 hours. They're normally more suited to keeping a battery topped up when car not in use for periods of time and to counter gradual drain from things such as alarms etc..
I'm not sure what make or type (I'll check tomorrow) or how old it is - I've had the car 18 months now, but can't be sure how long its been in it before that. I certainly know it wouldn't charge up in 2 hours, but I was surprised it lost so much so quickly.How old / what type is the current one? Not sure about Accumate as my trickle-charger is a different make, but most of these type of chargers aren't really up to charging a dead battery, and certainly not in 2 hours. They're normally more suited to keeping a battery topped up when car not in use for periods of time and to counter gradual drain from things such as alarms etc..
Quick update... after changing the battery (which was very easy considering reading other posters experiences). I'm back up and running and everything is fine.
My only issue now is - even pugging in the Accumate on a new battery (12.66v measured before installing) - I'm still not getting a green light, only the amber light on the low battery indicator - is this normal?
My only issue now is - even pugging in the Accumate on a new battery (12.66v measured before installing) - I'm still not getting a green light, only the amber light on the low battery indicator - is this normal?
Leave it charging for 24 hours, if the green light hasn't come on by then is sounds like you might have a small power drain on your car somewhere. This happened to my cerb after I fitted a new stereo, I put the old one back in, and low and behold no more problem, turned out to be a faulty stereo.
Even if it has got a small drain, it might not cause you any problems if you use the car regularly.
Best of luck!
Even if it has got a small drain, it might not cause you any problems if you use the car regularly.
Best of luck!
assynt road said:
Leave it charging for 24 hours, if the green light hasn't come on by then is sounds like you might have a small power drain on your car somewhere. This happened to my cerb after I fitted a new stereo, I put the old one back in, and low and behold no more problem, turned out to be a faulty stereo.
Even if it has got a small drain, it might not cause you any problems if you use the car regularly.
Best of luck!
Cheers - accumate plugged in and I'll report back. I hope it cures it, I can't be finding power drains when the weather's improving!Even if it has got a small drain, it might not cause you any problems if you use the car regularly.
Best of luck!
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