Battery not charging - Help!

Post by **nexttouseless** » 12 Dec 2006, 11:43

After 15 months trouble free, our '86 1.9dg has suddenly decided not to charge it's battery. Having to jump it off the leisure battery at the moment, starts and runs fine off the leisure battery but doesn't seem to be putting any charge into the main battery.
Any suggestions peeps??
(nothing too technical though please - see username!)

Post by **tonytech** » 12 Dec 2006, 12:10

OK first thing if you have a true leisure battery (not just a car battery connected as a leisure) then dont jump of it, Leisure batterys are not designed for the large current draw starting a car or van takes.

Second thing check all the battery connections are tight and clean. Check the alternator wires are attached and clean.

It is the time of year when driving with the lights, fan, heated screen on means yor battery may not be getting enough charge in the short trip to replace what you use starting a cold engine. Take the beast for a 30 min run in daylight with everything switched off.
Batteries die at this time of year due to the cold. Have a look at your battery and see if it has a date on it anything older than 3 years is suspect.
Get a voltmeter (£5 or so ) connect it across the battery.
With engine off expect 12V ish.
With engine idleing expect 14.5V

If you dont get 14V is then suspect your alternator.

There are brushes on the alternator that can be changed reasonably cheeply so dont panic yet.

T

Post by **nexttouseless** » 12 Dec 2006, 13:02

Thanks Tony,
I will have a good look later when I get home.
However the wife is in it during the day so I am guiding her on how to jump it from the leisure battery (it is a standard car battery, but thanks for good advice) by phone each time she has to start it.
I checked the proper procedure for jump starting, ie.
Red on dead
Red on good
Black on good
Black onto body

BUT does this still apply given that both the main battery and the leisure battery are earthed to the same van 'body'? (at the minute I am connecting to the battery terminals only, but I understand the above is the proper precedure to avoid the risk of exploding gasses!)

Thanks

Gareth

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Post by **tonytech** » 12 Dec 2006, 13:17

You wont need the black jump lead if you have a substantial earth strap on your leisure battery.
However it may reduce resistance and bypass dirty contacts.

T

Post by **Westy.Club.Joker** » 12 Dec 2006, 14:43

Have a look on Wiki for checking the alternator, see if it`s charging. Could be something as simple as a duff regulator in the alty, just swapped mine for a new one, cost a tenner, now charges at 14V (was charging before but at quite a reduced rate)

Post by **"WEAZLECHIN"** » 14 Dec 2006, 20:22

if your leisure battery is charged, it aint charging itself, so the alternator must be good. get a new battery anyway!