• Engine turns one rotation followed by multiple 'clicks'.
• Tested the battery with a multimeter, which reads 12.6v ish
• Tested the battery whilst turning ignition, which read 5v ish
• Very occasionally, the engine will start.

GreenLove said:

Tried starting my 110 200Tdi 1992 yesterday, but something is wrong:

• Engine turns one rotation followed by multiple 'clicks'.
• Tested the battery with a multimeter, which reads 12.6v ish
• Tested the battery whilst turning ignition, which read 5v ish
• Very occasionally, the engine will start.

Now I've read it could be solenoid, earths, etc, but just watched this:

this video


and the commentator seems to think it's definitely a faulty battery (crap cells).

Just wondering if anyone else feels this could be the answer? If so, I'll go and buy one now.

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Sean said:

kinda depends exactly where he's taking the measurements from, if it's directly off the batt terminals then that points to dead battery - if it's off a connection ....

ya get me drift

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DARREN4040 said:

WELL SAID RATTY LOL

hope alls as easy to sort ??
defo sound like bat u/s :doh:

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ratty said:

If it's dropping to 5v it sounds like battery to me.

Before you start faffing about disconnecting earth straps and stripping solenoids why not do it the easy way?

Jump start it and get it running. Make sure the battery is charging at 13.8-14.5 volts and if all is ok drive it for 20-30 mins. After your drive about, pop into a garage of your choosing and get em to test the battery.

If the battery comes up as duff, replace it. If the battery comes up as good, start cleaning earth leads and contacts.

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1. I'll take a reading tonight with the engine off and the leads disconnected, then take a reading tomorrow and see if it's discharged at all. If it has then it's definitely the battery discharging itself.
2. Otherwise, I'll take a reading with the leads on, leave it 24 hours, then another reading. If the voltage has dropped then there must a drain in the system, right?

Sean said:

leave it charging overnight

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GreenLove said:

Will do Sean. The charger says it's full (reading 13.34V), but I don't trust it.

So based on the info so far, do you reckon it sounds like the battery not having enough cranking power i.e. faulty battery?

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