Dead battery

[adscan]

I woke up to find a dead battery in my 5 this morning. I want to test the output of the alternator to see if that is bricked.
Using a multimeter where and what should I be doing?

[Purple_rob]

Pretty simple one,
Put your multimeter on the battery terminals and you should read

11-12v without the engine running
13-14+v with teh engine running.

You should see a positive jump up with the engine running and therefore charging.

Hope that helps


Rob

[adscan]

So if it reading less than 13v when running does that mean the Alternator is bust?

Also if my battery is not reading 12v when off does that mean it is the battery?

[Adam 005]

Is the battery light on the dash illuminated.If not the system is more than likely to be working(unless buld has blown on dash).
A few questions mate how old is the battery,how much use does the car get,have you recharged at all.As said before charging rate should be about 14 volts if battery is below 12 volts this could be due to lack of charge.

If you can get to a halfords they will test if for free:)

[adscan]

Is the battery light on the dash illuminated.If not the system is more than likely to be working(unless buld has blown on dash).
A few questions mate how old is the battery,how much use does the car get,have you recharged at all.As said before charging rate should be about 14 volts if battery is below 12 volts this could be due to lack of charge.

If you can get to a halfords they will test if for free:)

I had a problem with my fuel pump last week and nearly ran the battery out getting it started. Since then I have made a couple of short trips but it has stood for about 3 days. I must say, it does not get much use.

Went to start it and I get nothing on the dash.

The battery was in the car already and so don't know the age. I have charged it up once before but not had a problem since.

Does it sound more like battery at this stage? I will test with a multimeter later on.

[Adam 005]

I had a problem with my fuel pump last week and nearly ran the battery out getting it started. Since then I have made a couple of short trips but it has stood for about 3 days. I must say, it does not get much use.

Went to start it and I get nothing on the dash.

The battery was in the car already and so don't know the age. I have charged it up once before but not had a problem since.

Does it sound more like battery at this stage? I will test with a multimeter later on.


It sounds like the battery to me.Best thing to do is get a new one mate.What with a cold winter coming and you not using the car much the last thing you want is to be jump starting it all the time.
http://www.google.co.uk/#sclient=psy-ab&hl=en&safe=off&rlz=1W1SKPT_en&source=hp&q=063+car+battery&rlz=1W1SKPT_en&pbx=1&oq=063+&aq=1&aqi=g4&aql=1&gs_sm=c&gs_upl=2281l4219l0l7172l4l4l0l0l0l0l688l1751l2-2.5-2l4l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&fp=236efa1fb11a1d13&biw=1024&bih=571

[adscan]

It sounds like the battery to me.Best thing to do is get a new one mate.What with a cold winter coming and you not using the car much the last thing you want is to be jump starting it all the time.
http://www.google.co.uk/#sclient=psy-ab&hl=en&safe=off&rlz=1W1SKPT_en&source=hp&q=063+car+battery&rlz=1W1SKPT_en&pbx=1&oq=063+&aq=1&aqi=g4&aql=1&gs_sm=c&gs_upl=2281l4219l0l7172l4l4l0l0l0l0l688l1751l2-2.5-2l4l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&fp=236efa1fb11a1d13&biw=1024&bih=571

I take it 063 is the battery I need? Where do you guys get your batteries from and how much should I be paying?

[car.crash]

You have a multimeter. Don't guess what's wrong. Get the car running then measure your voltage

[adscan]

okay did some tests on the charging system...these are the results.

12.4v non running
14.8v when running

when i walked behind the car i saw that the boot light was on. it seems that it sticks on when the boot lid is shut. whould that drain my battery over the course of 3~4 days of non use?

[Robbo]

yes

[Bigfoot]

When I put my Raider back together took me a couple of days to find that out as well why it was draining my battery, have temp unplugged the wires to stop this happening for time being but need to adjust it so this doesn't happen

[car.crash]

okay did some tests on the charging system...these are the results.

12.4v non running
14.8v when running

when i walked behind the car i saw that the boot light was on. it seems that it sticks on when the boot lid is shut. whould that drain my battery over the course of 3~4 days of non use?

12.4 is low voltage. Fully charged will be higher but it probs just needs a good charge. Your alternator is also fine.

[adscan]

12.4 is low voltage. Fully charged will be higher but it probs just needs a good charge. Your alternator is also fine.

I thought 11 - 12 volts was good?

[car.crash]

A fully charged battery will be close to 13v. Anything below 12.5v is less than half charged. I got 80 leisure batterys I have to maintain at work. Run you car for a while or even better would be to trickle charge it. Stop the rear light from staying on and you should be fine.

[adscan]

A fully charged battery will be close to 13v. Anything below 12.5v is less than half charged. I got 80 leisure batterys I have to maintain at work. Run you car for a while or even better would be to trickle charge it. Stop the rear light from staying on and you should be fine.

Been out for a good run and it is now showing 12.8v. I have unplugged the boot light for now.

[car.crash]

Immediately after a charge the battery will read high. Expect it to drop a little but I'm thinking your system is fine now so you won't need a battery or alternator.

[adscan]

Thanks for the info.

[car.crash]

plus i just saw you at marks so the car must be ok :D

[adscan]

plus i just saw you at marks so the car must be ok :D

ahh...starting to put some names to faces...
yes ran well. put some charge in the battery!