Help.......battery trouble

[hot metal]

I don`t know if anybody can offer an obvious solution but problem is as follows
I was getting a squealing alternator belt last Monday, thinks, I should change that at the weekend, too late, the following day the battery was so flat it did not even offer up a click.
I left it on a slow charge and started it up yesterday , took it to the garage to get the alternator & battery checked, this was after fitting a new belt.
The battery was pronounced dead & and a new heavy duty one fitted, the alternator was then checked & given a clean bill of health.
I took it home & put it in the garage & left it safe in the knowledge all was well, except that my son wrote my wife`s car off (now 5"narrower)so we are down to one car.
I tried it 1/2 an hour ago to go and pick the wife up, nothing, dead ,not a click,.........what the hell is it??

I would be most gratefull for any thoughts on this issue

Andrew

[igiveup]

Sounds like the 100 amp fuse has gone, if it goes the connection between alternator and battery is severed, so will not charge battery.

Detail here http://www.chimaerapages.com/technical-info.html

[hot metal]

Mine has no 100 amp fuse, was removed when a trickle charge plug was fitted under the bonnet I think, I have looked for it before, followed every inch of the main live cable , nothing.

[Aussie John]

If you put the headlights on are they bright? If they are it could be the immobiliser circuits, maybe the "hot start " problem which can happen hot or cold. Check the voltage at the alternator [easier than on the battery] If it is up around 13V then it's ok.

[hot metal]

Alternator was showing 13v on the old battery while running, 13.8v on the new one. There has to be something draining the battery while standing, I drove it 1/2 a mile with the new battery and put it away for 30 hours, then dead than dead.

[wuckfitracing]

If yours is a 430 then they didnt have the 100 amp fuse fitted from new.

[hot metal]

That would explain that one away, yes its a 430,

[Aussie John]

If the headlights work well then it probably won't be the battery, if the voltage at the alternator is about 13V with the engine NOT running then it has to be starter/ imobiliser IMHO

[Colin RedGriff]

If you aren't even getting a click from the starter then it could be an immobiliser issue.

[Discopotatoes]

id be checking the connection on the starter solenoid

[wuckfitracing]

Oh and the alternator belt was most likely squeeling because the alternator pulley is not alligned correctly to the other pulleys. a new belt stops it for a while then it will do it again shortly. Seems to be common on pre serp 430s.

[hot metal]

wuckfitracing said:

Oh and the alternator belt was most likely squeeling because the alternator pulley is not alligned correctly to the other pulleys. a new belt stops it for a while then it will do it again shortly. Seems to be common on pre serp 430s.

I thought this would more likely be due to extreme cold on Monday, -4c (don`t laugh in Canada) also the belt was pretty old. Why would the pulley suddenly become mis-aligned ?

If it was the imobilizer recharging it would not change anything, do that & it starts. Starter solenoid ,hmmm, I just tried it after about 2 hours on charge, not turning over, pump primes that is all, turn the key back to off and there is what sounds like a triple click from the engine bay.

Edited by hot metal on Sunday 11th December 20:33

[Discopotatoes]

hot metal said:

wuckfitracing said:

Oh and the alternator belt was most likely squeeling because the alternator pulley is not alligned correctly to the other pulleys. a new belt stops it for a while then it will do it again shortly. Seems to be common on pre serp 430s.

I thought this would more likely be due to extreme cold on Monday, -4c (don`t laugh in Canada) also the belt was pretty old. Why would the pulley suddenly become mis-aligned ?

If it was the imobilizer recharging it would not change anything, do that & it starts. Starter solenoid ,hmmm, I just tried it after about 2 hours on charge, not turning over, pump primes that is all, turn the key back to off and there is what sounds like a triple click from the engine bay.

Edited by hot metal on Sunday 11th December 20:33

give the lead a wiggle, the terminal gets quite dirty /corroded/covered in oil it might be all you need

[Discopotatoes]

or give it an old school tap with a hammer

[wuckfitracing]

Confused ! Your profile says East midlands, I assume youve moved to Canada or you got lost on a run out. Anyway the pulley hasnt suddenly changed they came like that from the factory misaligned. If you look at the belt does it apear to line up with the other pulleys when viewed from the side.

[wuckfitracing]

Oh I get it now, dont laugh if you live in Canada. This wines really good !

[hot metal]

wuckfitracing said:

Oh I get it now, dont laugh if you live in Canada. This wines really good !

You got it, -4 is shorts & flip flops in Canada while we think its bloody cold. Long Eaton, between Nottingham and Derby is where I `m at

[wuckfitracing]

Not far from me then Im just off junc 30 M1. Theres not many 430s around, turns out there 3 within wheel spinning distance of each other. My mate lives near Derby he also has one.

[Steve_D]

hot metal said:

Mine has no 100 amp fuse, was removed when a trickle charge plug was fitted under the bonnet I think, I have looked for it before, followed every inch of the main live cable , nothing.

Whilst others have said yours may not have it I would advise that the fuse is not in the 'main live' but in the cable between the starter and alternator. If it is going to be there it will be on the underside of the engine mount bracket on the engine.

Steve

[hot metal]

Steve_D said:

Whilst others have said yours may not have it I would advise that the fuse is not in the 'main live' but in the cable between the starter and alternator. If it is going to be there it will be on the underside of the engine mount bracket on the engine.

Steve

Already looked there before Steve, no fuse