Strange one, any ideas?

[S6 Devil]

Just been to take the car out, the optimate was showing both green lights so battery fully charged. I turn the key, engine turns over but won't fire up and a warning 9v shows on the dash. I took the car out for a long run yesterday and all was fine, I didn't lock or alarm the car last night so can't understand why it won't start. I've put the charger back on and will see how it is later. Any ideas?

[spartridge]

Big fuse?

[Laser Sag]

Would agree with Spartridge, need to remove the airbox and check the 100A fuse underneath it as they tend to crack after a while, replace with the 125A one from Power while you are there even if it doesnt turn out to be the problem.

[Basil Brush]

How quickly did it turn over?

[S6 Devil]

Basil Brush said:

How quickly did it turn over?

It turned over normally but quickly showed warning 9v. I just tried again a minute ago and it felt like it was going to fire for a brief moment. Both lights on on the optimate indicating full charge of the battery.

[Cooper Green]

Shoot me down in flames if i'm teaching to suck eggs , but after a run, if i kill the engine for 5mins , say whilst filling with fuel, and have not switched off the stereo, air con, blower or the fans were still running when engine turned off, my Tuscan struggles to turn over and fire until i have switched anything power sapping off, i get the low volts warning as well.

Sorry if this post insults anyones intelligence, no offence intend.

Cheers
Cooper Green.

[Basil Brush]

Sensors can start giving out of range readings once the volts drop that far, which may cause the non-start. Have you tried it with a boost from another battery?

[nrick]

In no particular order

100a fuse
Battery
Boot not shut and light on
Electrical short
Electrical circuit still on (Relay stuck)

Just a few ideas

[S6 Devil]

Basil Brush said:

Sensors can start giving out of range readings once the volts drop that far, which may cause the non-start. Have you tried it with a boost from another battery?

I'm going to try a boost tomorrow and see if that works

[S6 Devil]

nrick said:

In no particular order

100a fuse
Battery
Boot not shut and light on
Electrical short
Electrical circuit still on (Relay stuck)

Just a few ideas

The trickle charger seems to have charged the battery as both charge lights are on. It could be a stuck relay as I bled the brakes a couple of days ago and one of the black relays got knocked out of the fuse board. I guess I should check the master ignition and fuel pump fuses although I can smell petrol when trying to start it so fuel pump should be ok. Battery was new 6 months ago and always on trickle charge. Boot is shut an light off. Will also check the 100A fuse tomorrow.
Thanks

[nrick]

What did the pod say on startup for v's

[S6 Devil]

nrick said:

What did the pod say on startup for v's

Not sure, I'll go and check it now!

[fredd1e]

optimates arent infallible and can show fully charged on a battery that is tired and keen to loose charge.
how old is the battery? might be worth thinking about replacement.. PS alternators that are on the way out are good suspects for flattening batteries (in short order), mine did and you could tell it was drawing current as it got warm when checked after being left overnight.

[S6 Devil]

nrick said:

What did the pod say on startup for v's

12.2v but on turning the key it immediately drops to 10 then 9v

[Allandwf]

Time for a new battery?

[S6 Devil]

Allandwf said:

Time for a new battery?

The battery was new 6 months ago and is kept on trickle charge when not in use. I will try a boost tomorrow.

[nrick]

I'd have to say it doesn't look good for the battery. Could be a dead cell, was there a warranty on it?

Would still check the main 100amp fuses, and the alternator diode pack (getting warm when switched off etc). Other thing to do is to take the battery out and charge it with a normal charger and see if it will hold a charge or jump start. If it starts on a jump then could point to battery.

[S6 Devil]

nrick said:

I'd have to say it doesn't look good for the battery. Could be a dead cell, was there a warranty on it?

Would still check the main 100amp fuses, and the alternator diode pack (getting warm when switched off etc). Other thing to do is to take the battery out and charge it with a normal charger and see if it will hold a charge or jump start. If it starts on a jump then could point to battery.

Do you mean both the alternator and engine fuses? Yes there is a warranty on the battery as it came from TVR Power.

Edited by S6 Devil on Tuesday 12th July 21:02

[nrick]

I was thinking there are 2x 100a fuses, one in the engine bay, one under the passenger footwell carpet? Might be worth having a check of the alternator when the bonnet is off looking at the engine 100a fuse. My alternator sounds a bit rough at the moment, bearing I think will whip it off soon.

Does it sound ok when it turns over?

[S6 Devil]

nrick said:

I was thinking there are 2x 100a fuses, one in the engine bay, one under the passenger footwell carpet? Might be worth having a check of the alternator when the bonnet is off looking at the engine 100a fuse. My alternator sounds a bit rough at the moment, bearing I think will whip it off soon.

Does it sound ok when it turns over?

Yes sounds fine on turnover.
Should I change both 100A fuses for the 125A?