T350 Died on way home tonight, battery not charging!

[L555_BAT]

Just drove home from a friends who lives only 4 miles away. The car started fine and turned over fast. I had the lights and fan on full and half way home noticed that the window was very slow. 2 minutes later notice that the lights are dim and the car is running like a bag of ste then it stalls :-(

Had to push it the rest of the way!!

Battery is half dead. It turns over slowly. Lights and electrics just about work but the battery is way to flat to start it.

Any ideas? It seems strange how it can seem to have a fully charged battery and able to start the car one minute then flat only 3 miles down the road?? Surely the lights and fan would not cause that much of a drain?

Somebody please tell me it's an easy fix

Thanks in advance!

Clive

[Targarama]

Probably the 100A inline fuse between the alternator and battery. If not then maybe the alternator itself, but my money is on the fuse. There are lots of topics on here about it.

[L555_BAT]

Forgot to mention ***POWER SUPPLY FAULT*** on the dash!

Will that be the fuse?

Would a battery drain that quick?

Thanks

[Jezz172]

I'd say the 100A fuse too

Same thing happened to mine

[Targarama]

L555_BAT said:

Forgot to mention ***POWER SUPPLY FAULT*** on the dash!

Will that be the fuse?

Would a battery drain that quick?

Thanks

It may have if it has failed completely.

[L555_BAT]

Ok I will check in the morning

And where can I get one of these little fellas from?

Halfords?

Thanks

[Zippee]

Potentially the 100A fuse, but when the same thing happened to me it was the alternator that had gone.

[L555_BAT]

Where can I get one of these fuses from? Preferably somewhere local. Halfords?

[shep1001]

L555_BAT said:

Forgot to mention ***POWER SUPPLY FAULT*** on the dash!

Will that be the fuse?

Would a battery drain that quick?

Thanks

Yep 100A fuse or alternator kippered. The fuse may look OK but they can fracture internally. Cost about a £1 so replace it anyway. For future reference pull the power steering relay as this lessens the drain on the battery gives about 15 mins more.

Shep

[L555_BAT]

Where can I get one of these fuses from? Preferably somewhere local. Halfords?

[shep1001]

L555_BAT said:

Where can I get one of these fuses from? Preferably somewhere local. Halfords?

No chance with Halfrauds, worth asking just for the comedy value. Google is your friend. 125A MIDI fuse is what you need. Not knowing where you are in Kent its hard to say what shops are local. I have several and would gladly give you one but I am in Beds so not local to you sorry. Maybe one of the local boys could help out if you are wanting a bank holiday hoon?

Shep

[slimtater]

Halfords may have one (AA man who came to me did) - but worth upgrading to one of these:
http://www.tvrpower.co.uk/store/slug/125-amp-fuse/

[L555_BAT]

I'm in East Kent. There is not much here. Taylor TVR is an hours drive along with Waldonways.

Is the fuse unique to TVR's? There are other specialsts much closer but they are Merc or BMW.

I take it Maplins will be a wasted journey?

I really needed the car on Tuesday :-(

Thanks for everyones help!

Clive

[shep1001]

L555_BAT said:

I'm in East Kent. There is not much here. Taylor TVR is an hours drive along with Waldonways.

Is the fuse unique to TVR's? There are other specialsts much closer but they are Merc or BMW.

I take it Maplins will be a wasted journey?

I really needed the car on Tuesday :-(

Thanks for everyones help!

Clive

Not unique to TVR they are just a std MIDI fuse. Don't think you will have much joy with Maplin (I looked on their website for you and found nothing)

I would look for a marine equipment supplier or an autofactors like A1. Motorhome/camper van places should have them too.

If you cant get one 14 Swg fuse wire is rated to 100 amps make your own as a temp repair. The fuse holder has nuts/washers that hold the fuse in place so the fuse wire would fit no problem round the lugs.

You could also look here and see whats close to you:

http://www.autoinsider.co.uk/local/motor-factors-4...

Edited by shep1001 on Sunday 28th August 09:52

[L555_BAT]

Ok bad news. Put a tester each side of the fuse in the bay and the one that's in the passenger footwell and both have power each side so it appears to be something else at fault. I guess the alternator?

I jumped the car today and sure enough it's not charging

Thanks for your help guys

[shep1001]

L555_BAT said:

Ok bad news. Put a tester each side of the fuse in the bay and the one that's in the passenger footwell and both have power each side so it appears to be something else at fault. I guess the alternator?

I jumped the car today and sure enough it's not charging

Thanks for your help guys


Recent thread on here with a 'how to' & 'parts list/numbers' for an alternator change on an S6 engine car.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

I would check the main body earth and the battery terminals first before jumping in with a new alternator. You never know.

[L555_BAT]

Ok i'll give it a go. Where is the earth please and or battery terminals?

Regards

Clive

[Targarama]

L555_BAT said:

Ok i'll give it a go. Where is the earth please and or battery terminals?

Regards

Clive

There is one by the battery of course, an another on the chassis rail behind the front driver's side wheel. They're the most accessible ones.

What did you voltage reading show as you drove the car home and it started to conk out?

[L555_BAT]

Lol where is the battery? Near the airbox?

I jumped it this morning and it was 11. something :-(

Thanks

[Targarama]

L555_BAT said:

Lol where is the battery? Near the airbox?

I jumped it this morning and it was 11. something :-(

Thanks

Well firstly the battery needs charging. How old is it? It could be knackered/old anyway and now past it due to being discharged.

The battery is located next to the dylithium crystal repository in the passenger footwell area on the outside, take the wheel off and remove the cover.