Battery Help!

[Terrano757]

Note to everyone reading this thread:

 

Had the problem sorted out today by taking the car into the auto elec,

heres a little diagnosis/pricing sheet for everyones future reference;

 

Symptoms:

 

• 
   
  
• The symptoms mine showed were;
  
• Struggling more and more each time to start
  
• Eventually not starting at all
  
• Once the battery was charged started fine again (Problem not with battery)
  
• I then replaced the battery thinking the problem was there, only to have a repeat of events.
  

 

Diagnosis:

 

• 
   
  
• effectively whats happening is something in the alternator is 'draining' the battery while the
  engine is turned OFF
  
• However the alternator, whilst driving is still charging (but not at a good rate)
  
• Meaning once the car is stopped it is only a matter of time before the battery dies.
  

 

Solutions:

 

• 
   
  
• One cost free, although irritating way you could get around this if it happens to you is
  by disconnecting one of the battery terminals every time you turn the car off, this way the alternator
  charges whilst the car is on, but does not drain when the car is off.
  
• The Solution i used was simply to get a brand new, identical alternator. costly, but provides peice of mind
  and 2 years warranty.
  

 

Cost:

 

• 
   
  
• Obviosly for disconnecting a battery terminal the cost is nill.
  
• However the cost for a new alternator for a 91 Terrano/Pathy for me was
  $300 and labour was $150 (hence the warranty)
  

 

Prevention:

 

• 
   
  
• Take care of your altinator!!
  
• Be carefull through mud & water as either spell trouble for alternators
  

 

 

I hope someone can find this somewhat useful,

I felt like i should contribute something back to the site seeing how much help

i have received off it.

 

PLEASE CORRECT ME ON ANYTHING I HAVE GOT WRONG

Thanks,

 

 

 

 

OLD PROBLEM POST BEFORE SOLVED:

umm im having a few battery issues,

i had a 700amp bosche batt, and the other day it was struggling to start a bit, then died completely,

i then charged it up and it worked again for another 2-3 starts before dying again, since then iv been,

-Charging,

-Jump Starting

-and deep cycle charging

it lives then dies again continuously,

 

Yesterday i purchased a Brand new (only 460amp) battery wholesale price from work,

the engine started fine last night,

however after listening to 5 minutes of music this morning (running Duel Amps) it went completely flat

(just before it died my sterio and CB were flashing on and off, on and off before fully off)

so ive taken the battery out and am getting a 730 amp heavy4x4/commercial battery tomorrow hopefully,

but is there anything i should be worried about??

-Altinator issues??

--Cross wiring?

---Battery Terminals??

Thanks,

Edited July 14, 2010 by Terrano757

[headpeace]

I would check the alternator, check your battery with the engine running if your only getting 12V then your alty is probably toast

[TheDirtyFresh]

Sounds like alternator to me!

[edicer2]

sounds like what the above 2 said.....could try making sure your belts are in good shape and are tight

Edited July 13, 2010 by edicer2

[Terrano757]

Thanks guys,

however i took it to an auto electrician today for a quick look and he put a multi meter on it and

revved it a bit, and he said the alternator is definitely charging it, just not as much as he would call 'normal'

but still 'charging' he said it might not be charging normal because it was completely dead 5 mins before he

tested it.

maybe the alternator is somehow draining it??

 

ps: @edicer the belts are fine

Edited July 13, 2010 by Terrano757

[edicer2]

Thanks guys,

however i took it to an auto electrician today for a quick look and he put a multi meter on it and

revved it a bit, and he said the alternator is definitely charging it, just not as much as he would call 'normal'

but still 'charging' he said it might not be charging normal because it was completely dead 5 mins before he

tested it.

maybe the alternator is somehow draining it??

 

ps: @edicer the belts are fine

 

 

What did he say it was charging at for volts? mines formaly around 14 something. The reason i mentioned the belts is becasue mine got bad one time and the alternator one was slipping and i replaced the belt not the altenrator like the mechanic wanted to and itfixed the problem. You could check your grounds for the alternator and battery and make sure they are good.

[Terrano757]

@edicer; about 12.5V because it was completely flat

 

Note to everyone reading this thread:

 

Had the problem sorted out today by taking the car into the auto elec,

heres a little diagnosis/pricing sheet for everyones future reference;

 

Symptoms:

 

• 
   
  
• The symptoms mine showed were;
  
• Struggling more and more each time to start
  
• Eventually not starting at all
  
• Once the battery was charged started fine again (Problem not with battery)
  
• I then replaced the battery thinking the problem was there, only to have a repeat of events.
  

 

Diagnosis:

 

• 
   
  
• effectively whats happening is something in the alternator is 'draining' the battery while the
  engine is turned OFF
  
• However the alternator, whilst driving is still charging (but not at a good rate)
  
• Meaning once the car is stopped it is only a matter of time before the battery dies.
  

 

Solutions:

 

• 
   
  
• One cost free, although irritating way you could get around this if it happens to you is
  by disconnecting one of the battery terminals every time you turn the car off, this way the alternator
  charges whilst the car is on, but does not drain when the car is off.
  
• The Solution i used was simply to get a brand new, identical alternator. costly, but provides peice of mind
  and 2 years warranty.
  

 

Cost:

 

• 
   
  
• Obviosly for disconnecting a battery terminal the cost is nill.
  
• However the cost for a new alternator for a 91 Terrano/Pathy for me was
  $300 and labour was $150 (hence the warranty)
  

 

Prevention:

 

• 
   
  
• Take care of your altinator!!
  
• Be carefull through mud & water as either spell trouble for alternators
  

 

 

I hope someone can find this somewhat useful,

I felt like i should contribute something back to the site seeing how much help

i have received off it.

 

PLEASE CORRECT ME ON ANYTHING I HAVE GOT WRONG

Thanks,

 

(ps-Will post this at top of thread)

Edited July 14, 2010 by Terrano757

[headpeace]

dam, altternator here is around $80-$90 US with lifetime warranty, you could always put the alt in yourself and save the labor charge

[Terrano757]

wow serious!?

so thats like $150 aus maybe less

ohwell im going away in 2 days so the shop can do it faster

pay for convenience so much...

[TheDirtyFresh]

I don't think I've ever heard of an alternator draining a battery when it's not on. I wonder if some of the insulation inside of it corroded or worn down, glad to hear you're getting sorted out!

[Terrano757]

Just Going to collect the car now,,

will post back here the mechanics proper diagnosis

[younie91]

my alternator was doing that on my 240sx, it would charge when it was running but it was also drawing power when the car was off, within a couple days of sitting it would be completely dead

[Terrano757]

yeah execept mine was within a couple of hours =(