Topic: Battery drain / charging problem. (Read 5386 times)

Migv6 le Frog Fan · « **on:** 27 December 2018, 08:31:50 »

A few weeks ago I found the Omega had a flat battery one morning. Jump started it and it was ok for a few days, then the same thing happened again.
Changed the battery for a known good spare, but a few days later I had a flat battery again. I found it flat again yesterday, so jump started it and let it run for about 10 minutes to put some charge in. I also disconnected the Nokia Bluetooth I installed just before the problem appeared, as I thought that might be the cause of he drain.
Decided to bring it to work this morning to put a decent charge in the battery and found it flat again. Jump started it and off a I went.
After 15 miles, just before I got to work, the battery light on the dash starting to slowly flash on and off. On for two/ three seconds, then off for the same amount of time.
Just been and checked aux. belt and that looks ok, so assume this indicates alternator fault ? If so, I don't see how it would be the cause of the original fault as the car seemed fine apart from when it was left for a few days for the battery to drain ?
Two separate electrical faults, or am I missing something ?

Doctor Gollum · « **Reply #1 on:** 27 December 2018, 09:06:54 »

Following Kevin's excellent guide to the letter and report back

Migv6 le Frog Fan · « **Reply #2 on:** 27 December 2018, 11:56:04 »

Will do.

Im at work today, but might be able to do it here.

Migv6 le Frog Fan · « **Reply #3 on:** 27 December 2018, 13:28:17 »

Just did a quick run through with Kevins guide. Aborted first attempt as battery was so flat that electrics were doing weird things and readings started off ok but then always dropped quickly once I attached the multimeter.
Speaking of which Im using a Fluke meter at work rather than my cheap £4.99 version I use at home, so I might be doing it all wrong anyway.

Changed to the spare battery I have in the boot which gave a reading of 11.75 v with engine off and no load.
Switching headlights on dropped the voltage to 11.3v

Started engine and recorded 11.08v at idle and 11.0v with engine running at 200rpm.

Doesn't seem very conclusive so far, need a fully charged battery and time to inspect wiring connections, but possibly alternator fault ?

Nick W · « **Reply #4 on:** 27 December 2018, 14:01:43 »

11 volts with the engine running means the alternator isn't charging. But before you condemn it, check the voltage at the connections on the alternator. If that is still 11v, then you need a replacement.

Migv6 le Frog Fan · « **Reply #5 on:** 27 December 2018, 14:21:45 »

Cheers, will do.

Shackeng · « **Reply #6 on:** 27 December 2018, 14:46:53 »

Quote from: Migv6 on 27 December 2018, 13:28:17

Just did a quick run through with Kevins guide. Aborted first attempt as battery was so flat that electrics were doing weird things and readings started off ok but then always dropped quickly once I attached the multimeter.
Speaking of which Im using a Fluke meter at work rather than my cheap £4.99 version I use at home, so I might be doing it all wrong anyway.
Changed to the spare battery I have in the boot which gave a reading of 11.75 v with engine off and no load.
Switching headlights on dropped the voltage to 11.3v

Started engine and recorded 11.08v at idle and 11.0v with engine running at 200rpm.

Doesn't seem very conclusive so far, need a fully charged battery and time to inspect wiring connections, but possibly alternator fault ?

2000 perhaps?

robson · « **Reply #7 on:** 27 December 2018, 15:24:39 »

must be alternator surely

Migv6 le Frog Fan · « **Reply #8 on:** 27 December 2018, 16:06:05 »

Quote from: Shackeng on 27 December 2018, 14:46:53

Quote from: Migv6 on 27 December 2018, 13:28:17
Just did a quick run through with Kevins guide. Aborted first attempt as battery was so flat that electrics were doing weird things and readings started off ok but then always dropped quickly once I attached the multimeter.
Speaking of which Im using a Fluke meter at work rather than my cheap £4.99 version I use at home, so I might be doing it all wrong anyway.
Changed to the spare battery I have in the boot which gave a reading of 11.75 v with engine off and no load.
Switching headlights on dropped the voltage to 11.3v

Started engine and recorded 11.08v at idle and 11.0v with engine running at 200rpm.

Doesn't seem very conclusive so far, need a fully charged battery and time to inspect wiring connections, but possibly alternator fault ?

2000 perhaps?

Yes.

Migv6 le Frog Fan · « **Reply #9 on:** 27 December 2018, 16:07:07 »

Quote from: robson on 27 December 2018, 15:24:39

must be alternator surely

I think so.

Migv6 le Frog Fan · « **Reply #10 on:** 27 December 2018, 16:45:35 »

Im a bit concerned about the half hour drive home from work tonight. Don't know if it will make it. The lights or the whole car might die before I get home. $:-\$

Nick W · « **Reply #11 on:** 27 December 2018, 17:03:59 »

Quote from: Migv6 on 27 December 2018, 16:45:35

Im a bit concerned about the half hour drive home from work tonight. Don't know if it will make it. The lights or the whole car might die before I get home. $:-\$

MIGHT?
You expect to drive for half an hour, in the dark with an inadequate alternator?

Entwood · « **Reply #12 on:** 27 December 2018, 17:05:59 »

If the battery is at 11.0 volts its flat already !! I doubt it would start the car let alone drive it 30 minutes !!

Jimbob · « **Reply #13 on:** 27 December 2018, 17:06:46 »

Quote from: Migv6 on 27 December 2018, 16:45:35

Im a bit concerned about the half hour drive home from work tonight. Don't know if it will make it. The lights or the whole car might die before I get home. $:-\$

Ive had to do similar, aux belt tensioner let go as leaving work, made it half way home.....which meant free recovery home, (AA lent me a battery, and followed me) wouldnt have been from the office.

Migv6 le Frog Fan · « **Reply #14 on:** 27 December 2018, 17:11:44 »

Ok, got two hours to put some charge in my spare but flat battery. Will do that and hope for the best.

Entwood · « **Reply #15 on:** 27 December 2018, 17:26:31 »

Quote from: Migv6 on 27 December 2018, 17:11:44

Ok, got two hours to put some charge in my spare but flat battery. Will do that and hope for the best.

Average car battery is 60 - 80 amp/hours, yours is 70% depleted at 11.7 volts .. so contains about 20 - 25 amp/hours

Average car charger will charge at 10 amps .. so 2 hours = 20 amp/hours

in two hours your battery will be at 40-45 amp hours capacity ... about 60% charged ...

methinks it will not last very long, and you will probably damage the battery as well ....

Migv6 le Frog Fan · « **Reply #16 on:** 27 December 2018, 17:30:55 »

Might be able to arrange borrowing a company vehicle and leave the battery on charge here overnight. would still have to drive it home in the dark tomorrow night though. I should have two charged up batteries by then, so much better chance of success.
Might give the guvnor a call and see if I can do that.

Entwood · « **Reply #17 on:** 27 December 2018, 17:31:43 »

Quote from: Migv6 on 27 December 2018, 17:30:55

Might be able to arrange borrowing a company vehicle and leave the battery on charge here overnight. would still have to drive it home in the dark tomorrow night though. I should have two charged up batteries by then, so much better chance of success.
Might give the guvnor a call and see if I can do that.

Now that is a bloody good idea !!!

zirk · « **Reply #18 on:** 27 December 2018, 18:01:01 »

Quote from: Migv6 on 27 December 2018, 17:30:55

Might be able to arrange borrowing a company vehicle and leave the battery on charge here overnight. would still have to drive it home in the dark tomorrow night though. I should have two charged up batteries by then, so much better chance of success.
Might give the guvnor a call and see if I can do that.

Ideally you need a bit longer than that, fully charge the battery over a 24 hour period, slow charging if preferred if time permits, when fully charged leave the battery somewhere cold for another 24 hours to rest back into its natural state.

After this process and before reconnecting back in the Car a quick voltage check will give a good clue as to the condition of the battery, 12.5 to 12.6 should tell you the battery is good to go, reconnect back in the car start and remeasure the volts, on a fresh fully charged battery I would expect to see 14V+ straight away from the Alternator at 2k even fully loaded with lights on, rear screen etc.

Assuming its not a Maintenance Free Battery, check and rectify any low Battery Acid level and rectify before Charging.

Migv6 le Frog Fan · « **Reply #19 on:** 27 December 2018, 18:05:55 »

Got permission to borrow an Audi A6 quattro 3.0tdi Le mans. It was the chairmans car, but now a spare. Should be a luxurious drive home tonight, and as its an Audi, don't need to bother trying to find the indicator switch.

Migv6 le Frog Fan · « **Reply #20 on:** 27 December 2018, 18:24:50 »

Anyhoo…………….diagnosis isn't complete yet, but theres a good chance I need a new regulator. Anyone know where to get one, or what exactly to look for or ask for when searching for one please ?

Kevin Wood · « **Reply #21 on:** 27 December 2018, 19:44:42 »

I've had a couple of regulators from these guys and this is the one for the 2.6/3.2: https://www.rotatingelectrics.co.uk/new-12v-alternator-regulator-to-fit-bosch-vauxhall-opel-gm-139044

Migv6 le Frog Fan · « **Reply #22 on:** 27 December 2018, 20:35:21 »

Great, thanks Kevin. Will order one tomorrow if I need one, and I strongly suspect I will .

Migv6 le Frog Fan · « **Reply #23 on:** 29 December 2018, 23:18:49 »

Ordered a regulator yesterday via Kevins link. It arrived from Norn irn in the post this morning !

Havent had time to properly diagnose, but Im probably going to need one and for the sake of £18 I thought I may as well get one.
Hope to find time to fit it between night shifts tomorrow. Im wondering if I can swap regs. over without actually removing the alternator.
Should find out tomorrow.

VXL V6 · « **Reply #24 on:** 30 December 2018, 13:37:46 »

Quote from: Migv6 on 29 December 2018, 23:18:49

Ordered a regulator yesterday via Kevins link. It arrived from Norn irn in the post this morning !
Havent had time to properly diagnose, but Im probably going to need one and for the sake of £18 I thought I may as well get one.
Hope to find time to fit it between night shifts tomorrow. Im wondering if I can swap regs. over without actually removing the alternator.
Should find out tomorrow.

Good luck with trying to fit it without removing the alternator...!

Both times I've had to replace the regulator I've removed the alternator.

Migv6 le Frog Fan · « **Reply #25 on:** 30 December 2018, 16:11:53 »

Soon discovered that to be impossible.

Anyway, job done now. Took about 2 1/2 hours, quite awkward, but all back together and seems fine now.
Thanks again to Kevin Wood for the link for the best place to source the regulator.

Kevin Wood · « **Reply #26 on:** 30 December 2018, 16:41:55 »

No problem. Glad it's sorted.

Tick Tock · « **Reply #27 on:** 30 December 2018, 17:14:52 »

Glad to hear you're sorted now

Just out of interest, is the 2.6 / 3.2 regulator the same as earlier regulators on the 2.5 / 3.0 ?

Migv6 le Frog Fan · « **Reply #28 on:** 30 December 2018, 17:31:44 »

I believe they are slightly different.

VXL V6 · « **Reply #29 on:** 30 December 2018, 23:09:39 »

Quote from: Tick Tock on 30 December 2018, 17:14:52

Glad to hear you're sorted now

Just out of interest, is the 2.6 / 3.2 regulator the same as earlier regulators on the 2.5 / 3.0 ?

No they are very different.

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Author Topic: Battery drain / charging problem. (Read 5386 times)