Yesterday, had to call breakdown out, I put key in ignition but nothing, lights on dashboard came on and startermoter was trying to connect, but nothing. AA came out said battery was dead and to get a new one. Went to Halfords and bought a new battery, took it to my local garage to fit it, cos I couldn't get the clamp off of the old to put in the new. He tested battery and it was only running at 12.46, even with accelerator down, there was no change. He told me normal is 14. Went to car this morning to go into town, turned the key and nothing, completely dead, no lights on dashboard, no electric at all, nothing from the engine. Battery completely flat from brand new. Could this be a possible alternator problem, or am I looking at something more serious? No electrics left on overnight so it wasn't that, but the car clock was still working. Please can anyone shed some light on this situation for me.
2007-06-30 06:09:31 · 16 answers · asked by stephen3057 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Thanx for you all for answering. Please keep the answers coming. I believe its the alternator. The garage only put the battery in, they just tested the voltage out of courtesy and the mechanic suspected the alternator was defective in some way, he wanted me to take the car in on wednesday to have the alternator checked. Car is now at the garage have to wait till Monday till they've done diagnostics. The battery in there previously hadn't been changed for 5 years that I know of - does this help answering? Hence the new battery purchase. Again your answers on the possible problem are still appreciated.
2007-06-30 06:58:07 · update #1
Yesterday a brand new alternator was fitted and the car works just fine, thanx to all who answered, I won't be voting for the best answer, I'll leave it open. But if anyone else has the same problems then you know what the possible cause is. Cheers
2007-07-03 02:19:00 · update #2
It sounds like the alternator isn't charging the battery, I'm suprised that the garage didn't point that out! If it's an older car, it could also be a bad earth causing the battery to drain...
2007-06-30 06:12:57 · answer #1 · answered by indie_girl79 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
At first glance I would agree with everybody that the alternator is faulty, however if it was running ok when you parked it up, then was completly dead this morning it has probably lost further charge overnight. This could mean you have something draining the battery all the time. Check your boot and bonnet lights switch off as they should, and that the fan disengages within 2 minutes of turning the engine off. These are the most common causes of battery drain.
Also try jump-starting off another car. If it runs completly fine for a good while from dead then a power drain is more likely, as when you disconnect the supply battery the power in your own battery would not last for very long before it could no longer produce a spark.
2007-06-30 17:11:56 · answer #2 · answered by Bealzebub 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you have access to a volt meter try the following: Connect the red wire off the meter to the positive side of the battery. Hook the black wire comming out of the meter to your negative battery post.
Start your car. The volt meter should read between 13.8 - 14 volts. This is a test to make sure your alternator is charging properly.
Carefully inspect the oppicite ends of your battery termanals. The negative side must have a clean tight ground. The positive end connects to your starter. That muat be clean and tight. By reading your discription (very good) the alternator is not charging.
2007-06-30 13:25:49 · answer #3 · answered by Country Boy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The garage that put in the battery should have taken a look as to why you don't have the 14 volts. I would concentrate on the alternator, the voltage regulator, and make sure you have good grounds to the chassis.
2007-06-30 13:22:51 · answer #4 · answered by Fordman 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The alternator is charging only when the engine is running. If you hove replaced the battery and went flat overnight, then something is shorting your batter. You need to check the rectifier on the alternator or the immobiliser if there is one. Check also the main fuses.
2007-06-30 14:07:22 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Could be alternator, regulator or any other component such as wires that are bad. Do a visual inspection and check your connections. I'm surprised they didn't check the alternator. If everything looks ok, I'd check the connections and test the alternator.
2007-06-30 13:19:48 · answer #6 · answered by Paul E 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have not told us sort of car it is? For example a rover has a fusible link between the alternator and the battery. If this fails the battery will not charge. If not its sounds like the alternator is duff and you need a service exchange unit.
2007-07-02 09:48:07 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
also have alternator drive belt checked because if not tensioned correctly the alternator will appear to turn but not at the right speed - especially when its trying to generate a lot of power.
2007-06-30 16:36:16 · answer #8 · answered by spanker 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hes right about 14 v. Maybe your alternator or regulator is bad.
2007-06-30 13:14:18 · answer #9 · answered by hotvw1914cc 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
sound like your alternator is leaking positive
to negative some ware get out the AA again
2007-06-30 13:17:12 · answer #10 · answered by S Csparky 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋