dojj

iTrader: (3)

Mrs fired up the fiesta this morning, let it run for a few minutes to get it warmed up and he kids strapped up before taking them to the old mans house about 100 yards up the road
Parked it up, dropped them off, then went to start the car again and nothing
Just a click click
So does this mean the battery is bolloxed? Or did she just not give it enough time to charge up again?
She did mention that the wipers were really slow as well so I'm think the battery is on its last legs
It's been on the car for at least 3 years

Doubly gutting because she was taking the car so she could come home quick enough to see the school play, so it's all obviously my fault

Cardie

Battery getting charge from the alternator okay?

v man

Stick a multimeter on the battery and see if its getting a charge

I'd be looking at the alternator my self
3 year ols battery ain't old

My wife's escort gti , r reg still has the original battery and alternator from new

STeve

iTrader: (11)

bet you still have not got a battery for the mondeo yet, so what chance does the fiesta have, reckon your battery is on borrowed time as the frost kills the cells

RichieST

iTrader: (2)

If wipers are slow with engine running then it could be a sign tht the alternator isn't doing its job. However with wipers on, lights on, heaters blowing, heated screen on etc then the alternator is already at full stretch, especially if the car is only doing 100 yard trips.

I'd get the battery drop tested first I'd be suspecting the alternator could not be charging properly.

saph4be

100 yards to drop kids lazy sod lol

pani_k

iTrader: (1)

With the current weather conditions I would've said battery but the alternator could also be the culprit. It would certainly be one of the two anyway.

100 yards to take the kids then drive 100 yards back home? Sorry but that is very fucking lazy. Serves her right tell her all the short trips have knackered the battery and she has to pay for another one

dojj

iTrader: (3)

She was dropping the kids off before travelling to work, and then she was going to use he car to come back home early to go to the kids nativity play at school so it's not lazy parenting in that sense

As for getting a battery for the Mondeo, it's fine the way it is

So get home, jump it, stick a meter across the top to see what it's reading with nothing on, then whack all the buttons to see if the alternator is keeping the supply high enough, which should either condem the battery or the alternator, or both?

RichieST

iTrader: (2)

Make sure it reads aprox 14.5 with engine running. Put some load on it and it will dip a bit but should stay more than 13.

It's Czech Mate

Clearly the battery has died in the cold snap

dojj

iTrader: (3)

Just tested it the battery reads as follows:

Bonnet open - 11.98v

Starts with no jump

Running with no loads other than the engine - 14.3v

Running with everything on, radio, blower on max, both front and rear screens, all the lights plus the air con - 14.09v

My money would still be in the battery unless those readings are lower than expected?

STeve

iTrader: (11)

its the battery, perhaps they may do buy one get one free for the mondingo too

pani_k

iTrader: (1)

11.98V is a little low to be fair. I'd expect about 12.1-12.5V with no load at all and the fact it is bitterly cold is what is causing it to fail.

RichieST

iTrader: (2)

Sling a battery on it Dojj. After being left for a while a battery does 'come up' on it's own which is why it probably started. Same thing if you take a battery powered torch that is flat, leave it for a while and turn it back on it will go bright for a few seconds before dying again.

ajamesc

Multi meter will only tell you if the battery's good as it sits! Could still be fucked to test it properly you need to load test it with a drop tester then put a multi meter on it

RichieST

iTrader: (2)

Agreed, another way is to turn on headlights, heated screen etc with ignition on and no engine running and check voltage!

dojj

iTrader: (3)

got a battery, went to fit it, +ve came off no problem, but the -ve terminal is fucked as the nut just spins and spins and spins

closer inspection seems to show that it's the thread thats fucked as there are 2 nuts on the bolt, and you can't get to the second one as the first one is one of them nut-with-a-washer on them types and the washer has flared over the second nut

3 years after buying the car there are still some cowboy antics coming to light from the previous owner

still, the mrs has sorted a lift out in the morning as it's cold so i can probaly leave this job till the weekend

SteveB

iTrader: (3)

When I test all my batteries at work I check voltage 1st and not thing under 12.5v I charge before even testing them... If your misses does loads of short journeys I'd be tempted to give the battery at Leady a 12hr charge and try that.. If it fails again within a few days buy a new 1.


Steve

SteveB

iTrader: (3)

Fuck it just read you've bought 1 already so Ignor above lol