Club 80-90 Forums

Morning all... Ritchie is displaying all the signs of a knackered battery.... parked up a couple of weeks ago.... this has never bothered him as has a solar panel that keeps leisure and starter topped up. Key in... one very slow turn.... then...nowt. Battery monitor shows 11.3v which is low standing.... dropped to 1.34 or sommat when cranking. Stopped and battery returned to 11.34v. So... has my battery which has to date displayed no starting issues at all suddenly expired? Is he throwing a sulk because we went away in the car (which I would totally understand)....

Happy to purchase a new battery if necessary

Thanks.

Em
xx

Are you checking volts at the actual battery terminals ?

If "yes" then the battery is very very very knackered

If "no" then do so If on "doing so" it gives a very different result (ie much higher) then it is more likely a duff earth lead from the battery to earth, or, less likely in view of your test results, the main feed from the battery to the solenoid and thence to the starter. Also of course the earth lead from the front of the gearbox to the chassis. (though again, less likely in view of the way (I think) you are testing it.

By the way, when suspecting dodgy earths (the large cable type earths) a jump lead can be used to help isolate the potential issue. From a main "bit" of the engine up to a good strong earth point, or from battery to a good strong earth point, or even from a good bit of the engine right up front (assumng petrol engine) to the battery -ve terminal.

p.s. = Re reading what you wrote, ie 11.3 volts when you came to it, indicates a simple knackered battery

p.p.s.

You could temporarily swap the battery for the car one - that would prove one way or another for heaven sake treble check your +ve and -ve terminals orientation though, as some car batteries have them the opposite way round !

Wouldn't bother with jump leads though, in my experience they are not very good at simple "battery to battery" assistance. OK for a quick boost charging operation via another vehicle when your battery is ok but just a bit flat. Though I suppose if you spent £100 on a set they might be better at battery to battery

I'm going out somewhere now

Thanks!!!

Have you checked for a drain?

Not yet..... got battery with me today.... will run it to battery place to test later. Will update. What has confused me is the sudden failure....

No point in testing anything until you have given the battery a good 16 hour charge....disconnect....leave for a couple of hours and report the voltage.

Martin