Battery Voltage

[J_E_T]

Had a problem recently where I'd left the car for around 10 days and it wouldn't start, so purchased a set of jump leads and started it that way. It turned over first time when wired up to my other car. Few weeks ago I hadn't ran the car in about a week, and same thing happened. Difference was it didn't jump start first time, it took a good while and a good few attempts to eventually start (after checking all connections were fine etc).

Since then, not been a problem. I've made sure i've ran it at least every couple of days. Last had the car out on Sunday and it was fine, but tried to start it last night, wouldn't start !! Most unexpected. Everything looks and sounds ok electric wise (power to windows, fuel pump) and car is trying to turn over, but just won't start. Any ideas ?

The voltage showing when I turn the ignition on is fluctuating between 9.2 and 9.5v .. does that indicate there's plenty power to start it, and it's something else ?

[Fume Troll]

Sounds to me like the battery's been damaged, perhaps by deep draining it when it went flat... A 9-9.5v reading when not cranking is pretty low.

Running a de-sulpation programme on a charger equipped to do it might help but my guess is you're looking at a new battery.

Cheers,

FT.

[J_E_T]

Cheers for that, easy solution if that's what it is. Any recommendations on a battery type ? Does it need to be anything special ?

Out of interest, what should the voltage reading be ? I'm sure 13.9v was what it had before.

[Fume Troll]

When mine died I replaced it with one from www.carbatteryshop.co.uk/enquiry.php

Type 072 Varta Asia Car Battery 12V 70Ah X 1 @ £ 77.99 Each

Subtotal: £77.99
P&P: £8.25
TOTAL: £86.24

There is some useful advice here about expected voltages: http://www3.telus.net/chemelec/Projects/Alternator...

Cheers,

FT.

[J_E_T]

Cheers for that. I take it that model is because of the dimensions of the battery ?

[Fume Troll]

Yes, dimensions, Cold Cranking Amps, electrode type and orientation. There is a Euro code for it but I can't remember it...

Cheers,

FT.

[Paul V]

I managed to get an 072 from my local Partco much cheaper than that, do get a discount as I'm there every other day buying bits mind but expect they would still work out a fair bit cheaper.

[pete]

I thought the Tuscan should have an 096R? (note the R - the terminals are reversed compared to an 096). Mine is definitely an 096R, and it's still the original TVR labelled battery from 2003.

That's 574 013 068 in Varta speak. 74Ah capacity, 680A cold cranking current.

[J_E_T]

Any other takers on this ? Don't want to go buying the wrong one ! Will either model do, or was the type of battery changed at some point (assuming the battery tray would need to have been changed then, or position/layout of the leads ... i've not removed the battery before so don't know how the leads get to it yet).

Will I need to just remove the cover and see what's there right now ?

Mines is a 2001 Mk1 Tuscan.

[Fume Troll]

My new battery replaced one that definitely wasn't original. However it fits and the poles are the right way round. I'd be tempted by Pete's one just because it is a higher capacity - I've not had any problems with mine but more juice is always welcome!

Cheers,

FT.

[Paul V]

Mine looked original, still had some padding glued on the side etc, only TVR would do that lol, it was an 072 that came out so put the same back in.

[pete]

There you go then - like everything TVR, the only way to know which version you've got is to take the old one out first!

[J_E_T]

Cheers guys. Will take a look over the weekend and get one ordered up.

[J_E_T]

Managed to finally get the battery replaced in the car, but it's still not starting which is a pain ! Sometimes i'm getting a series of loud clicks when I turn the key, solenoid in the starter ? Sometimes it sounds like the battery is just flat and it's not turning the engine over, any ideas ?

[Fume Troll]

What voltage reading are you getting?

Cheers,

FT.

[so called]

J_E_T said:

Managed to finally get the battery replaced in the car, but it's still not starting which is a pain ! Sometimes i'm getting a series of loud clicks when I turn the key, solenoid in the starter ? Sometimes it sounds like the battery is just flat and it's not turning the engine over, any ideas ?

That sounds like your new battery is flat ?!?!?

[J_E_T]

Getting 11.9v with the new battery in. Was getting 9v with the old one.

[Fume Troll]

Should be okay. Do you have a multimeter? If so check the difference between the reading with the probes on the battery terminals, vs on the battery clamps, vs on the +ve terminal and the chassis. This might reveal a poor connection.

Cheers,

FT.

[fat80b]

Also, I am sure I have read on here somewhere about the earthing strap which is on the opposite side of the car, (drivers side whel arch) which earths the chassis. sometimes, you need to clean and re-seat this as it can cause a similar problem.
Bob

[Whitey]

probably your starter motor faulty and/or maybe your new battery needs a small charge.