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[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

I've noticed this problem on a couple of occasions now.

Engine turns over fast and the car starts easily.

Two minutes later car turns over very, very slowly, like the battery is flat. The car won't start.

The indicator light on the 66 A/H GM battery is green. I don't know how old the battery is but it hasn't been changed in the three and a half years that I have owned the car.

Battery connections are tight.

Any ideas chaps?

[robson]

I have recently had a similar problem would start ok sometimes another time dead. found to be the alternator, whether it was an intermitent fault I do not know but a new alternator has solved the problem

[robson]

I should have added that the charging light didnt come on when I had the problem and I have been told that the green light on a battery is unreliable.

[Sir Tigger KC]

Get your multimeter out and test your battery and alternator output following the guide in the maintenance section. 

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=90619.0

[Bigron]

The green "float" indicator IS unreliable! It only checks the SG of one cell, and you could have a dead one elsewhere, and/or it could be sticking and showing a false reading.
Do as Sir Tigger tells you......

Ron.

[zirk]

I've noticed this problem on a couple of occasions now.

Engine turns over fast and the car starts easily.

Two minutes later car turns over very, very slowly, like the battery is flat. The car won't start.

The indicator light on the 66 A/H GM battery is green. I don't know how old the battery is but it hasn't been changed in the three and a half years that I have owned the car.

Battery connections are tight.

Any ideas chaps?

Doesn't mean jack, the Hydro Ball is only monitoring one of the cells (out of 6), time to get the Volt Meter out and see whats going on. I always think its best to start fault finding with a fully charged battery. 

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

I have a Gunson Sparktune gathering dust somewhere.

I have had the battery on charge for the last couple of hours but despite a good connection the needle isn't steady, wavering all over the place.

I shall disconnect it then leave it for 15 minutes or so and then follow KW's guide as supplied by Sir Tigger.

[zirk]

I have a Gunson Sparktune gathering dust somewhere.

I have had the battery on charge for the last couple of hours but despite a good connection the needle isn't steady, wavering all over the place.

I shall disconnect it then leave it for 15 minutes or so and then follow KW's guide as supplied by Sir Tigger.

Good man, you can check your dwell angle and adjust your points at the same time then.   

Put the battery on slow charge over night, when fully charged, leave it somewhere cold for at least a day before reconnecting and doing your checks.

What GM type is it, sealed or refillable, have you checked levels.

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Okay...some preliminary findings. 15 minutes after removing the charger.

Battery charge without engine running......11.5v

Car on tick over......................................12.9-13v

2000 RPM...............................................12.9-13v

Tick over with headlights on........................12.8v

Tick over with headlights and AC on..............12.6v


Switching on lights and AC (with engine running) briefly drops voltage to 12v before rising again.

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

I have a Gunson Sparktune gathering dust somewhere.

I have had the battery on charge for the last couple of hours but despite a good connection the needle isn't steady, wavering all over the place.

I shall disconnect it then leave it for 15 minutes or so and then follow KW's guide as supplied by Sir Tigger.

Good man, you can check your dwell angle and adjust your points at the same time then.   

Put the battery on slow charge over night, when fully charged, leave it somewhere cold for at least a day before reconnecting and doing your checks.

What GM type is it, sealed or refillable, have you checked levels.

 

[Andy B]

Okay...some preliminary findings.

Battery charge without engine running......11.5v

Car on tick over......................................12.9-13v

2000 RPM...............................................12.9-13v

Tick over with headlights on........................12.8v

Tick over with headlights and AC on..............12.6v


Switching on lights and AC (with engine running) briefly drops voltage to 12v before rising again.

Should be nearer 14 volts

Have you read Kevin's guide ...... http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=90619.0

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

According to the trusty Sparkune it won't show more than 13.0v with the engine running and everything electrical switched off.

Battery?

[zirk]

Probably, but as said fully charge the battery, it needs to up 12.6 to 12.8 before you can start measuring the charge voltage correctly.

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Probably, but as said fully charge the battery, it needs to up 12.6 to 12.8 before you can start measuring the charge voltage correctly.

I don't think I can approch that figure without starting the engine. It has been on charge for about 3 hours (11.5v)


Can somebody please tell me that a new GM battery will only set me back £20.

[cem_devecioglu]

Okay...some preliminary findings. 15 minutes after removing the charger.

Battery charge without engine running......11.5v

Car on tick over......................................12.9-13v

2000 RPM...............................................12.9-13v

Tick over with headlights on........................12.8v

Tick over with headlights and AC on..............12.6v


Switching on lights and AC (with engine running) briefly drops voltage to 12v before rising again.

battery fubar  11.5    must be around 12.5-12.7


2000 rpm charge 13 volt too low alternator needs servicing must be mnimum 13.5 best 14.3  see Kevins post