Battery problem today :-(

[LittleMissSunshine]

Well having parked the van last night and packed for our first adventure she would not start!

Flat battery - borrowed a portable jump and took her to garage for check of battery and alternator.

Is this common? (I hope not!)

If so, any advice? Also I looked at price of portable jump starters - they look reasonable. Are they a good investment and worth having ? Was thinking we might need one if away for weeks at a time.

Gutted not to be out in my van today

[1664]

took her to garage for check of battery and alternator.

and?

[LittleMissSunshine]

He is doing it Monday so will see.

Thanks for moving this thread - have just realised I have put it in wrong place, also now reading through old threads of similar sort.

[1664]

A moderator will have moved the thread

[LittleMissSunshine]

Thanks, well having spent the afternoon reading this forum I am predicting one of a few things

1. I knocked indicator stalk on when I got out and it drained the battery

2. The new cd player fitted on Friday was connected to main battery not leisure and drained it.

3. The battery (two years old) is buggered

4. The alternator is stuffed

5. Something to do with earth strap that I don't really understand yet!!!!

[pauly8888]

I've got a portable jump-starter. Can't remember how much it cost £29.99, I think. It's pretty useless. Maybe the more expensive are worth the money, but the cheaper ones aren't.

[kevtherev]

forget the jumper...
spend the money on sorting out
the battery drain.
the buggered battery
the new stereo.

etc

charge it back up with a battery charger for a couple of nights.
check it's voltage (over 12.6v)
when it's back on the van connect the terminals, and check it again with the engine running (+13.6 v)

learning to do these minor checks will save you money and allow you to be confident that all is well with your charging system and battery condition.
These old ladies need constant care, they are not new cars that you can leave for months on end without regular maintenance.

honey moon over

[LittleMissSunshine]

Thanks for that - I have a trickle charger from my dad - daft question now...

.... What do I use to check the volts on battery? Do I need a gadget?

[kevtherev]

you need a volt meter

often called a multimeter, available everywhere that sells electric stuff and car acc. shops with usually full instructions of how to do things with it.

once mastered it will probably be the best money saving object in your life...

[LittleMissSunshine]

Thanks - sorry for the really basic question! Have been reading the Haynes manual and although I finish the paragraph I have to admit I am easily baffled!

[Nicola&Tony]

I think many people are baffled after reading the Haynes book of lies!!

Have you asked the person who fitted the new cd player, which battery they connected it to? Seems a bit of a coincidence, new cd player and then a flat battery.

Have you seen the first paragraph on this page?
https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/VW ... ging_cause" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Tony

[LittleMissSunshine]

The tape player we removed had been in since the first owner - I too agree it seemed too much of a coincidence. I have asked the garage to move it to leisure battery.

Will let you know tonight - am off to get a voltmeter after work!

[ghost123uk]

I have asked the garage to move it to leisure battery.

Let us know if it was that.

Mind you I have to say that if the battery was in good nick, one day with the new stereo should not be enough to drain the battery that much.
Many of these new stereos do use a bit too much power even when switched off, but remember, the average car they are designed for does not have a leisure battery
The re-assurance of having a good quality, new battery is worth the cost, in view of the hassle & disappointment that can result in skimping in this area.

Is your leisure battery a proper "leisure" one with "leisure" written on it ? (there is a good reason for asking)

[LittleMissSunshine]

Ok - the verdict is ....


.... Battery good, alternator kapputt! So being replaced tomorrow. Mike (my mechanic ) suggests radio is ok but will check wiring to leisure battery.

Will also check the leisure battery is good too, when I get the an back tomorrow.

Hopefully that will sort it .... Or lead onto the next puzzle

Thanks again for taking the trouble to reply, will report back again when we have it back tomorrow.

[kevtherev]

Ok - the verdict is ....


.... Battery good, alternator kapputt! So being replaced tomorrow. Mike (my mechanic ) suggests radio is ok but will check wiring to leisure battery.

Will also check the leisure battery is good too, when I get the an back tomorrow.

Hopefully that will sort it .... Or lead onto the next puzzle

Thanks again for taking the trouble to reply, will report back again when we have it back tomorrow.

hmmm was the whole alternator kaput or just the regulator brush pack? (common fault at £15 to replace)
there's not much goes wrong with the rest of it... maybe the bearings but you'd hear them squealing.

y'see a multimeter would have told you that