Battery/Starting woes

[garethgtt]

Guys,

Try to start car, starter motor turns engine doesnt fire up.

If i jump it from another cars battery it starts straight away.

ive tried charging the battery up and when charged tried to start the car-- turns over but doesnt start.

so a bit confused---- battery knackered or somthing else- like it not being earthed or somthing?

If i jump it from another car, for the rest of the day the car will then start under its own power, next day--same old story non starting.

[TT Tim]

Does sound like a battery problem to me. Check what voltage you've got across the battery terminals at rest, should be 12.2V I believe.

Then do the same with the engine running, it may be that your alternator is not charging, you should see 13+ V when the engine's running.

Tim

[Steve_T]

I'd expect a healthy battery to be 12.7v - 12.8v (not charging). Agreed that the alternator will push this voltage past 13v typically when the engine is running. If you can, measure the voltage with and without the car running so you know if you have a duff battery, or one that has not been charged because the alternator is dying, the big fuse has gone or whatever.

Steve.


>> Edited by Steve_T on Tuesday 20th September 18:14

[TT Tim]

Steve_T said:

I'd expect a healthy battery to be 12.7v - 12.8v.

What he said.

Tim

[Rob Dance]

Classic signs of a battery that`s died.

but before you replace it, just make sure that the terminals are tight, and are making good electrical contact( no furry green or white crud on or around the terminals ) Its a longshot, but by attaching the jump cables, you could be improving a poor contact.

Autumn is the time for new batteries... first cold morning and half of our trucks refuse to start !!

>> Edited by Rob Dance on Tuesday 20th September 18:25

[JohnSW20]

Hi

I've just had the same problem. I took the battery out and left it on charge and the problem has gone away. I think it must be the first sign of neglect!!

Now I take her once a day even if I have to put the milk in the bin so I can go and buy more.

John

[Extra 300 Driver]

Check the earth. I bet its that.

[c3ber]

Yes I agree: Check the earth strap. There should be one on there somewhere. Clear any rust add a bit of light oil and bobs your uncle things should be sorted.

[Extra 300 Driver]

I had this problem when I was at Bruntingthorpe. The car would not start unless we jumped it. It was sluggish and slow and the battery wouldnt hold a charge.

When its jumped the earth is connected straight to the engine, so there would be an earthing problem.

Take the battery out and check the -ve termal. Put some petrolium jelly on the terminal, after cleaning it, and see how it goes.

Let us all know how you get on.

[garethgtt]

Guys,

Varta 069 Battery, will it fit my Cerbera?
lugs recessed etc?

I figured i would buy a new battery anyway as the one inside doesnt seem to have been changed in about 10 years!

I`ll also jelly up the earth strap etc while im there.

[garethgtt]

Bump...someone

[speed8]

Don't take ths as confirmation but I think an 069 or an 072 would fit iirc. But, check the terminals are in the right position.
I basically took the largest capacity I could get. These days I never have a problem with it. Even when work kept me away for 6 weeks it started first time.

[Extra 300 Driver]

garethgtt said:

Bump...someone

Have you checked the earths? Do this before paying for a new battery.

[TON70]

Same problem...rectified with a new battery

[garethgtt]

Yep, went to national tyre centre first--- who vartas lugs were too tall.....

went to halfords-- right first time, i obviously found the one clued up person thats been there 10 years..

battery in-- car starts up instantly


but now ive electrical gemlins....... 1 speaker doesnt work in the door--it did before!!!!

lights on dim one of the bulbs makes a sparking sound and doesnt come on- switch to full beam and it comes on.... random

do i need to pull all the fuses out in the boot to reset everything????????

[TooTall Paul]

I would clean all the connectors on the things that are causing you probs first.

[davetherave1970]

garethgtt said:

lights on dim one of the bulbs makes a sparking sound and doesnt come on- switch to full beam and it comes on.... random

Do you have gas discharge lights? If so make sure the engine is running with more than 1300 revs when switching on the lights. The gas lights need a slightly higher v to switch on. Once on they should stay on.

Well that's the deal with mine!!

[garethgtt]

eek-- i wonder if i am being a div--- i didnt have the engine running.....

doesnt explain the speaker tho--might have to find out which fuses the stereo is

[davetherave1970]

Do let us know!