Not starting , nearly dead battery.

ClassikFan · Dec 7, 2013

Went out to the car this evening to do a 100 mile round trip to visit a friend. Car was last used on weds this week, no signs of impending failure. Key in ignition all the dash lights work but when I make the extra turn after the glow plug light extinguishes nothing happens. Put my battery tester on the battery and it shows that the battery is very low. Tried a jump start with sons Mini but still won't even click. I guess I need a new battery but my old bills show it was new in feb 2012 so not yet two years old.
:Cry:

trax · Dec 7, 2013

ClassikFan said:
Went out to the car this evening to do a 100 mile round trip to visit a friend. Car was last used on weds this week, no signs of impending failure. Key in ignition all the dash lights work but when I make the extra turn after the glow plug light extinguishes nothing happens. Put my battery tester on the battery and it shows that the battery is very low. Tried a jump start with sons Mini but still won't even click. I guess I need a new battery but my old bills show it was new in feb 2012 so not yet two years old.
:Cry:

so surely that means it's not just the battery?

ClassikFan · Dec 7, 2013

The battery is showing as very weak on my tester. On reflection I should have let the mini run for longer to put some juice in it.
If I take the battery out to put it on charge do I need to follow any set procedure to get the electrical system working when I refit it? The radio is not a coded one but will I upset the cars ECU?

Vanmancan · Dec 7, 2013

No won't upset car taking batt off . And if the mini was just on tick over and you had some cheap jump leads . You would of prob been best holding the mini at a higher rev for a min or two while the D2 got some power back In it . If you take batt for for charge over night make shaw all doors are locked 1st so then you can just use the key in drivers door to Manuel lock over night

sierrafery · Dec 7, 2013

as long as the alarm is disarmed you can remove the battery without fear...but if it's dead putting it on charger wo'nt help much...and if you go for a new one dont buy below 100AH and at least 900CCA, i can recommend a brilliant one at good price which fits exactly in there : C31-900 Numax Car Battery 12V 115Ah - Car Batteries - Numax Car Batteries

...be aware that the original(factory fitted) battery was 110AH so anything below that is weak and will not last long

ClassikFan · Dec 7, 2013

Thanks for the link. I have a Numax from Tanya in my caravan. Very good company to deal with.
Just surprised at the suddenness of the battery failure and less than 2 years old.

Vanmancan · Dec 7, 2013

Cold damp weather and lots of short journeys .will for short a batts life plus if your glow plugs are getting on a bit ,making the car crank a bit longer can add to it

ClassikFan · Dec 7, 2013

The thing is I don't do short journeys and it starts immediately, battery shouldn't have a hard time apart from the cold weather.

cold comfort farm · Dec 7, 2013

give it a charge overnight and then take it to a garage or Halfords and they will drop a tester on it to see if the battery dies. I had a battery that would fail every now and then and all it needed was a good quality battery charger on it from time to time to condition the battery. I do it twice a year now and never have a problem.
I agree with the earlier post I tried jump starting one of the tractors from my wifes Mazda (it was handy) It would not start so I put the other tractor on it and it started withing a few mins. So in short dont think because it wouldnt start from a jump its a bad battery. I left the lights on by the way on the tractor.

beerdude · Dec 7, 2013

ClassikFan said:
Thanks for the link. I have a Numax from Tanya in my caravan. Very good company to deal with.
Just surprised at the suddenness of the battery failure and less than 2 years old.

If its only 2 years old it should still be under warrenty.

thebiglad · Dec 8, 2013

ClassikFan said:
The thing is I don't do short journeys and it starts immediately, battery shouldn't have a hard time apart from the cold weather.

Have you got a voltmeter? Put the battery on charge overnight, then leave for at least 1 hour then check the voltage across the battery terminals; it should be at least 12.6v.

Dave

sierrafery · Dec 8, 2013

thebiglad said:
Have you got a voltmeter? Put the battery on charge overnight, then leave for at least 1 hour then check the voltage across the battery terminals; it should be at least 12.6v.

Dave

^^^ that's condition nr.1... then measure the voltage while cranking...if it fails under 10V you need a new one

ClassikFan · Dec 8, 2013

So, this morning I have fitted my Caravan battery to the Disco (I know leisure battery etc..). It is a fully charged 110ah and it wont even try to turn the engine over. I don't get the click of the solenoid in the starter. All dash board lights work as before but it just seems like the engine is disabled. Am I missing something? could this be some sort of immobiliser/crash sensor fault?

Amphermiser · Dec 8, 2013

Amphermiser said:
Hang on before you remove the starter!
Try something that will seam really stupid, first. Losen the fan belt off and try to start her again. I have been there before with my Disco. I stripped my starter down and serviced it. It made no difference, then I replaced the starter, but still she would not start. I spoke to a friend about this and he said he had a similar problem, and It turned out the alternator had seized up.
I removed the belt and wow she started straight away.
So just check it first as this will give all the symptoms you mentioned.

Try this I mentioned the other day for a similar issue

HenryD · Dec 8, 2013

ClassikFan said:
So, this morning I have fitted my Caravan battery to the Disco (I know leisure battery etc..). It is a fully charged 110ah and it wont even try to turn the engine over. I don't get the click of the solenoid in the starter. All dash board lights work as before but it just seems like the engine is disabled. Am I missing something? could this be some sort of immobiliser/crash sensor fault?

Leisure battery isn't ideal as not designed to throw big amperage at one hit,designed for slow drain,it could be that your starter is goosed but you need to try it with a decent battery first

thebiglad · Dec 8, 2013

ClassikFan said:
So, this morning I have fitted my Caravan battery to the Disco (I know leisure battery etc..). It is a fully charged 110ah and it wont even try to turn the engine over. I don't get the click of the solenoid in the starter. All dash board lights work as before but it just seems like the engine is disabled. Am I missing something? could this be some sort of immobiliser/crash sensor fault?

Can you lock and unlock the car via the key fob ?

ClassikFan · Dec 8, 2013

Yes all seems normal until after the glow plug light on the dash goes off. Then turn key to start and all dash lights go off. No sign of it trying to start at all.

I understand my leisure battery isn't ideal but I thought it might turn the engine a bit?

Vanmancan · Dec 8, 2013

Have you check the starter motor terminals .

ClassikFan · Dec 8, 2013

Amphermiser said:
Try this I mentioned the other day for a similar issue

Sounds like it might fit my scenario. A dead and now seized alternator fits in with my poorly battery.

trax · Dec 8, 2013

ClassikFan said:
Sounds like it might fit my scenario. A dead and now seized alternator fits in with my poorly battery.

or you have a short/drain.

go stick a multi on the starter exciter and see if it's getting any power.

Not starting , nearly dead battery.

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