Camper not starting off battery but switch shows green?

[cal]

Hi guys,

I'm new here, my name is Callum and I have just bought my first camper - a 1990 1.9 Petrol Holdsworth T25 in really good condition ("Touch Wood!").

I have a couple of teething problems however and would really appreciate all and any help you experts out there can give please?

1.) When I picked up the camper, the gentleman I bought it off had previously charged the battery so it started first time no problem and I drove it 150 miles home without any trouble. 8 hours later however the camper wouldn't start and the light on the box which says "car" and "aux" for the batteries shown red when I switched between the two. I had it jump started earlier today and drove to Halfords to get it tested. The car battery shown "24%" and the leasure battery shown "16%". The guy that tested it said to drive it for 20 mins (as I hadn't long had it jump started) and then go back to see if it had improved. I had it running for around 40 - 50 mins and drove it for around 10 minutes of that. I got home, turned it off and immediately tried to turn it on again ... it was dead. However when I switched the switches again the lights shown green for both batteries. Does anybody have any ideas on whether both batteries are gonners (both look pretty new) or whether somethings gone and hence not charging the batteries? ... Do I need to switch something to charge each of the batteries? ... No lights are displayed on the dash whilst driving but once turned off any the key turned to just before the ignition, the battery light stays on and oil light flashes???

Please please please help me guys?

2.) I noticed a small amount of water dripping in the passengers top left corner of the footwell ... none of the footwell is rusted so doesn't seem like its been there for long but the carpet that was under the mat was soaking, just wondering if there is any common places it tends to leak from? I was thinking maybe where the aerial is attached?

Any help on either of these issues would be greatly appreciated and will hopefully stop me from having to get taxis to work in the mornings. Thanks guys!!

Cal

[Hacksawbob]

1. You need to get a volt meter and check the batteries/alternator at rest and with engine running to see what is the voltage getting sent/delivered. you should have 11-12V at rest and about 14V running. If you take the battery out and charge it on a battery charger, then check its voltage after 24hours and see whether it is holding a charge.

2. the windscreen rubber is likely to be hiding corrosion around the windscreen aperture. Peel back the rubber and peak underneath with a pencil or small screwdriver with a bit of tape over the end to stop it scratching the metal. There are temporary fixes but ultimately the glass needs to come out, corrosion removed and replaced with new metal. replace with a new seal and if your lucky replace the glass if it came out without breaking it.

[cal]

Thank you very much for your input its really much appreciated.

I took on board what you said about 1.) and went out this morning to measure the voltages. I recorded 11.75V on the car battery before starting it and close to 14V whilst it was running (After jump starting it). The leasure battery I don't think is a leasure battery (It looks the same as the car battery) and I recorded 12.7V before starting and again cloase to 14V whilst running.

Both voltages were measured without switching anything over so does this mean both batteries charge at the same time?

Also, I don't have access to a battery charger at the moment but I assume that the voltages recorded show that the alternator etc is working and the fact that it does start via jump lead means the starter motor works and hence both batteries must be gonners? or is there something else that could be wrong?


Sorry for all the questions but after buying the camper i'm extremely strapped for money and hence don't really want to go buying a new battery if it doesn't need one?

Thank you once again,

Hopefully I can sort this out soon and get using it for weekends away with my girlfriend!

Cal

[BOXY]

The battery showing 11.75v sounds like its knackered. You could try swapping the two batteries over and see if the "leisure" battery holds its charge better than the current starter battery. If you leave the zig unit switch set to "AUX" the starter battery is isolated from the 12v fridge / light circuit, and if you are on hook-up the leisure battery will get charged off the mains. If you set it to "CAR" both batteries power the water pump / light circuit and when the engine is running the alternator charges both batteries.
The fact the previous owner charged the batteries before you picked it up would make me think he knew the batteries were shot. If I were you I'd take the van to a battery centre / supplier and ask them to check the batteries properly.

[cal]

Okay, brilliant, i'll do that. Thank you!
I take it once you are stopped then with engine off you should put the switch in between the "car" and "aux"?

Also ... a little side track I know, but do you know how I can remove the inner passenger door panel without damaging any of it? (I noticed some water dribbling down grom below the door speaker and want to check it out).

Thanks again!

Cal

[BOXY]

I'm not sure what zig unit you've got, but mine hasn't got a position between "CAR" & "AUX". I leave mine set to car all the time unless I'm parked up and running the electrics off the leisure battery.

The door panel is held on by push in clips around the edge. You'll need to take off the window winder and the door lever to get the panel completely off. The window winder is held on by a screw under the plasic cover, and the lever is held on by a screw behind the lever. The clips are very easy to break so be careful prising off the panel. A pair of long nose pliers can be used to squeeze the clips and make them pop out of the door frame.

[cal]

I have the Zig SP-4 Unit (Photo attached) which is the one i'm asking about then the ZIG DCU/3 which only has an on and off switch. When you leave it switched to car does a green light show?

Zig SP-4.jpg

Okay brilliant i'll take the pannel off later aswell, thank you!

Oh, I noticed I also have a manual for the ZIG C.F.8 which has a "Touring" and "on site" switch, a mains on/off and 12v on/off but can't seem to find that anywhere in the camper? :S

Thanks again,

Cal

[BOXY]

I've got an older zig unit, the CF8 but I guess it's the same basic circuit. My unit has only got three switches:- one is a "mains" for switching on the hook-up and charger: one is the "touring" / "car" switch and the last one is the 12v circuit on / off. The green light comes on only when the 12v supply is switched on. It doesn't matter if "touring" or "car" is selected as either battery can be used to power the 12v circuit.(but it's not a good idea to run your main battery down by powering the lights & water pump etc.) For just driving around I leave the mains and 12v switched off and the other switch set to car. You only need the 12v switched on and the green LED lit for camping.

I'm sure someone with the same unit as you will be along soon to explain how the switches should be set.

[cal]

Okay excellent, thank you very much for your help!

What was your name sorry?

Would be nice to get to know everyone on here and hopefully help others out at some point aswell!?

Cal

[California Dreamin]

Note* as the two batteries effectively connect to one another when the engine is running (standard split charge wiring) it is common for one battery (faulty) to bring the other one down.
These batteries need disconnecting from the vehicle, charging and checking seperately....then you will know where you stand...which one is faulty. etc

Martin

[cal]

Thank you Martin!

Sorted ... It was the starter battery. Ordered new one and is now working well.

Thanks!

Cal

[kevtherev]

Bit late now but any UK code 096 starter will fit your vans battery compartement.
Available from any retailer.
Leisure batteries that fit are on the wiki and if you use the search facility there are some recommended ones there too.

Get used to the water ingress these old ladies tend to leak.
If its leaking from the speaker I should imagine the bottom window seal is at fault
these are available to replace from VW shows and on line stockists

[cal]

Okay brilliant, thank you ... Do you know the best place online to order from?

Cal