P38 battery problems again

Hi all,

not been here for a while as the truck has been running like a dream ..

However, ....

battery problems started again when it started getting colder over the last few weeks. i replaced the battery last winter so its nearly 12 months old, before anyone mentions it my receiver aeriel is disconnected as i had that issue last year ..

i'm finding i'm charging my battery every few days at the moment, my question really is .. how can i check if it's the battery dying or if i have some sort of leakage problem which is draining the battery ??

is it something i can do with a multimeter ?

everything electrical seems to work ok and it runs fine, sitting outside work for 9 or 10 hours and there's only just enough juice to turn the engine over after a fresh charge to 'full' that morning ..

any help appreciated

thanks

nikb

I'm sure Gav and some of the other guys will be here soon to give more detailed info on exactly how to check the battery - you could also have it checked free by one of the franchises like National Tyres / Batteries. Sounds like it isn't holding a charge or that something is running it down - if you have the old receiver, even if the aerial is disconnected, stray signals could be affecting it. You're better off fitting the new RF reciever so that it is never an issue again. The alternator may also be overcharging the battery and has knackered it, so go through checking the battery charge while the car is running and when the lights are switched on, as well as before it is started. I think it shouldn't be more than around 14.7V when the engine is running, or it is overcharging and you risk damage to ECUs as well, and the alternator would then need repair or replacement (hopefully not, given the price!!!)

Could also be the alternator is not charging, with the engine running you should see 14.7 to 14.8 at the battery, but the BECM waking up due to picking up stray signals seems the most likely.