Which is it?

[Adama1979]

Hi all,
After a baltic winter where the van was stood for a couple of months, I came to start it and there was nothing. I guessed that the battery was flat so I jump started it which worked, and I took it for a good run to charge it through the alternator. The day after the same problem. It's fine for a couple of hours after running, plenty of kick to start it but any longer and it's a jump start. My question is, is it more likely a freezing cold winter has knacked my battery or the alternator? Is there an easy way to determine which is the problem (I don't have a voltmeter) between the battery/alternator? If it is the battery I'll get one from Halfords but what should I make sure I get as there are many to choose from?

Hope someone can help.

1.6d non-turbo

[R0B]

1.Take the battery off.charge it for 24hrs.
2.Take it off charge.Check voltage.
3.Leave stood for another 24hrs.Check voltage again.
4.If the voltage has dropped from the previous test.Then its knacked..

[Aidan]

simple voltmeters are only a few quid these days
yes the battery is probably toast
look up the correct battery in the manual or on one of the online resources or just ask at the local motorfactors or your local VW tps who have a deal on quantum batteries at the moment fyi
Halfords will be about the most expensive souce usually, ok on a Sunday when everywhere else is closed or if you are in a strange town but you should cultivate your local motor factors and keep them in business if possible imho otherwise we end up with the BandQ situation so that it becomes impossible to buy good quality tools or fittings because all the independents and toolmongers and ironmongers have gone and all you can get is made in china disposable c r a p
cheap batteries die about a week after you have lost the reciept or after the warranty runs out whichever comes sooner

[AdrianC]

simple voltmeters are only a few quid these days

Even decent multimeters are cheap - something like this should be in everybody's toolbox.

We were having a little think about whether our battery had gone south or not the other day - nope, turned out to be... the radio... - but £50 for a replacement for the 075 in ours, next-day delivered sounded like very decent value to me...

Couldn't agree more about the local factor - use 'em or lose 'em. They're worth their weight in gold.

[Adama1979]

Thanks very much gents, I'll get a new battery as I'm pretty sure thats the problem.

[kevtherev]

UK code 096 fits under the seat snugly

[Adama1979]

UK code 096 fits under the seat snugly

I'll ask for one of those then. I didn't know if it was a specific type such as a heavy duty one...what with it being a diesel.

[California Dreamin]

Presumably mounted in the engine bay on a Diesel? the battery is higher capacity than the ones quoted for a petrol T25...here is a good example: online with delivery included.

http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/Volks ... bb8e3&BATT" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Quality Exide brand.
Higher the capacity the better especially the cold cranking amps.
For a Diesel CCA (cold cranking amps) are particularly important, due to the massive amp draw firstly from the glow plug circuit and then the starter motor itself (upto 200 amps for a Diesel)

Most online battery retailers are quoting 70ah or slightly higher, with a CCA of 650 or higher.

Martin

[Adama1979]

Presumably mounted in the engine bay on a Diesel? the battery is higher capacity than the ones quoted for a petrol T25...here is a good example: online with delivery included.

http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/Volks ... bb8e3&BATT" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Quality Exide brand.
Higher the capacity the better especially the cold cranking amps.
For a Diesel CCA (cold cranking amps) are particularly important, due to the massive amp draw firstly from the glow plug circuit and then the starter motor itself (upto 200 amps for a Diesel)

Most online battery retailers are quoting 70ah or slightly higher, with a CCA of 650 or higher.

Martin

That's super advice, thanks for the help.



Adam

[Adama1979]

It was the battery in the end, I picked up a good one for £30 from the local breakers yard.

Thanks all!

[kevtherev]

false economy in my opinion...
Batteries have a life of 5 years, how old was your second hand one?

[Adama1979]

false economy in my opinion...
Batteries have a life of 5 years, how old was your second hand one?

Unknown Kev, but my pocket agreed and it did the job.