Battery Fault?

[boobles]

My 2008 Jeep Patriot decided yesterday that it wasn't going to start... Just that usual ticking noise when trying to fire up but wasn't even turning over. Tested the battery with volt meter & was reading 12.4v prior to trying to start. Managed to jump start it without any issues & during start up the volt meter read 9.8v & once fired up 14.2v. This to me would suggest that the battery is fine or am I being a bit naive? The alternator was replaced last year so I don't think this is the cause. I also ruled out it being starter motor as it fired up by jump starting it. I suppose my question is, can the battery still be showing early signs that it's knackered even if the volt meter would suggest otherwise? Nothing was left on over night as these things have so many warning sounds to tell you if something is left on.. Many thanks.

[PositronicRay]

boobles said:

My 2008 Jeep Patriot decided yesterday that it wasn't going to start... Just that usual ticking noise when trying to fire up but wasn't even turning over. Tested the battery with volt meter & was reading 12.4v prior to trying to start. Managed to jump start it without any issues & during start up the volt meter read 9.8v & once fired up 14.2v. This to me would suggest that the battery is fine or am I being a bit naive? The alternator was replaced last year so I don't think this is the cause. I also ruled out it being starter motor as it fired up by jump starting it. I suppose my question is, can the battery still be showing early signs that it's knackered even if the volt meter would suggest otherwise? Nothing was left on over night as these things have so many warning sounds to tell you if something is left on.. Many thanks.

More to batteries than just voltage, give it a decent charge, if this doesn't work change it. A drop test should give you an answer.
12.4 is a little low, for a healthy charged lead acid battery.

[boobles]

PositronicRay said:

More to batteries than just voltage, give it a decent charge, if this doesn't work change it. A drop test should give you an answer.
12.4 is a little low, for a healthy charged lead acid battery.

Thank you, I think our local Halfords store offers a free drop test so plan to head down there sometime today.

[boobles]

So, it turns out the battery is fine apart from being the wrong battery for my Jeep. Would appear the previous owner put a "cheaper" alternative Toyota battery on there & this could be the reason why I am starting to have problems. I plan to buy the "right" battery tomorrow..........

[S0 What]

who told you that ?
if the battery is too small thats an issue, if it's not got enough in reserve cos it's undersized that's an issue but the wronge "make" is rubbish TBH.

Edited by S0 What on Saturday 3rd June 16:31

[boobles]

S0 What said:

who told you that ?
if the battery is too small thats an issue, if it's not got enough in reserve cos it's undersized that's an issue but the wronge "make" is rubbish TBH.

Edited by S0 What on Saturday 3rd June 16:31

Apparently it has a 005 & is to small. You can see straight away that it's a lot smaller than the tray it sits in. Have a heavy duty Varta coming today & at the very least, it's the correct size & OE spec.

[sospan]

Check your earth connections. A less than good earth results in poor current. Try running a booster cable direct from the battery neg to the starter mounting bolt. That bypasses the earths. If she starts properly then you have the earth issue. Either use the booster to trace it or clean them all. ( That would be my suggestion). If the earth straps/cables look iffy buy new. Not expensive.

[boobles]

sospan said:

Check your earth connections. A less than good earth results in poor current. Try running a booster cable direct from the battery neg to the starter mounting bolt. That bypasses the earths. If she starts properly then you have the earth issue. Either use the booster to trace it or clean them all. ( That would be my suggestion). If the earth straps/cables look iffy buy new. Not expensive.

Thank you. I have indeed checked it all & they all seen fine & connected the new battery up yesterday evening & it was fine this morning.
Obviously I need to be bit cautious for a while but hopefully it was the battery at fault. Before I fitted the new one, I couldn't even remotely unlock the doors & once inside I checked the voltage of the battery & it was down to 4v...... My only concern is that there could be something possibly draining it over a period of a day or so?

[NDA]

It's the cold cranking amps (CCA) that are important, the bigger the engine the more CCA's.

Not sure what could be draining your battery.

[boobles]

The one I have just fitted has AH 74 & CCA 680..... This doesn't mean a lot to me if I am being honest...