new battery going flat

An alchemy of sparks, copper wire and earth

Moderators: User administrators, Moderators

Post Reply
T25Lincs
Registered user
Posts: 26
Joined: 15 Jul 2015, 21:00
80-90 Mem No: 0

new battery going flat

Post by T25Lincs »

Hi

I am a T25 virgin and have owned her for only a month now . Our 1st trip out was to British GP and we loved it however a week before we left the battery which was new ( i know this as the previous owner gave me the receipt ) went flat and a trip to my local garage revealed the alternator was u/s and this had also killed the battery so a larger one was fitted . The alternator was stripped down and reconditioned and i thought all was good until our trip home from silverstone upon which we discovered the battery was flat again . We had to drive home with a power pack in situ as the engine was stuttering and we had a loss of power without it . It is now back with my local garage who have informed me the alternator is working ok however the battery is not charging .
Just wondered if anyone had any clues as i am getting frustrated with all these nice weekends and can't get out until its sorted !!!

User avatar
kevtherev
Registered user
Posts: 18832
Joined: 23 Oct 2005, 20:13
80-90 Mem No: 2264
Location: Country estate Wolverhampton Actually

Re: new battery going flat

Post by kevtherev »

Hello and welcome to the forum.
Do you have a multimeter?
If so do you know how to use it to check voltage.

Does the ignition light illuminate when you switch the ignition on?
and finally does it go out when the engine is running?
AGG 2.0L 8V. (Golf GTi MkIII)

T25Lincs
Registered user
Posts: 26
Joined: 15 Jul 2015, 21:00
80-90 Mem No: 0

Re: new battery going flat

Post by T25Lincs »

Hi and thanks for your reply .
Sadly i am not v mechanically minded but have a feeling i could soon start to be ! No , i don't have a multimeter but am informed by my mechanic that the alternator is working ok now it has been fixed .
Yes the ignition light comes on when turned on and goes out when running however it does come on when idling but am told this is a common thing ?

User avatar
kevtherev
Registered user
Posts: 18832
Joined: 23 Oct 2005, 20:13
80-90 Mem No: 2264
Location: Country estate Wolverhampton Actually

Re: new battery going flat

Post by kevtherev »

T25Lincs wrote:Hi and thanks for your reply .
Sadly i am not v mechanically minded but have a feeling i could soon start to be ! No , i don't have a multimeter but am informed by my mechanic that the alternator is working ok now it has been fixed .
Yes the ignition light comes on when turned on and goes out when running however it does come on when idling but am told this is a common thing ?
no it's not common and not right.
T25's like to idle at 900 rpm + or - 50...too low and it will illuminate
Using a meter is not hard to do, when you buy one it will come with instructions
What you need to find out is whether the alternator is in fact producing 14.2 Volts.
If this can be ascertained, and it proves that it is, then we can move on to other things...like connections and cables, battery drains etc

You tube generally has tips on using multimeters to read voltage
AGG 2.0L 8V. (Golf GTi MkIII)

T25Lincs
Registered user
Posts: 26
Joined: 15 Jul 2015, 21:00
80-90 Mem No: 0

Re: new battery going flat

Post by T25Lincs »

ok , looks like i will be investing in one at the weekend then …..
Will update you with my findings

thanks

User avatar
a1winchester
Registered user
Posts: 1084
Joined: 30 Jul 2009, 22:09
80-90 Mem No: 7187
Location: Spilsby Lincolnshire

Re: new battery going flat

Post by a1winchester »

Dave, I have a meter if you don't get one - let me know and I will pop round with it :ok
Colin
1990 Autosleeper Trident. Water cooled 1.9L DG + 4 speed manual box

Post Reply