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[Calum]

I have a rather puzzling battery issue. In December I tried to start my 2000 MV6 that I hadn't used for a couple of weeks but the battery was flat. I assumed that because there had been some cold weather and it was the original battery it was just age so I bought a new replacement battery.

This was fine for a month until I realised that the battery was flat again. The battery light had not been coming on so I did not suspect the alternator. I took it around to my local garage and they ran some tests and told me that they could not see any faults and that it was probably just down to my driving habits (very short journeys in cold weather). The drain on the battery was what would be expected.

On monday I experienced the same problem with a flat battery. Fortunately I now have a battery charger so I can make sure I keep it topped up but this isn't a long term solution.

What tests can I do to check that the alternator is charging the battery? The garage I took it too seem to have missed something and they are usually very reliable so when I take it back for service and MOT next week I would like to get them to look into it again if possible (unless of course it is simple and I can fix it myself).

Cheers

Calum

[tunnie]

got a volt meter? Post up the volts going across the battery when at idle and say 3k rpm. Its possible the alternator is not giving enough juice, but also check the terminal connectors from the alternator, mine was badly corroded, the alternator was fine, but the lead to the battery was not giving it its full charge, and so my battery would go flat after a week or so.

Re-crimped the connection to the battery and all is well now

[Calum]

Thanks for the pointer tunnie. 

I don't have a volt meter but I am now asking around to get a hold of one. Hopefully be able to have a look over the weekend.

[tunnie]

Thanks for the pointer tunnie. 

I don't have a volt meter but I am now asking around to get a hold of one. Hopefully be able to have a look over the weekend.

PM Hotel21 he is your neck of the woods, should have a voltmeter and has a tech2 

[Entwood]

Have a read here .. Kevin did a really good write up that I think covers everything you need 

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1225724099

[Calum]

That looks just the job - thanks. I have arranged to get a loan of a voltmeter for the weekend so I will attempt to sort things out then.

Cheers

[robson]

tunnie what voltage would you expect at the battery with alternator running 13.5-14 volts?

[Kevin Wood]

tunnie what voltage would you expect at the battery with alternator running 13.5-14 volts?

I would say about 13.8 - 14.5. Probably towards the upper end of that range, at a fast idle with not too much electrical load on.

Kevin

[The Red Baron]

had the same sort of prob on my elite saloon, disconnected the powersounder & all is well.

[Lizzie_Zoom]

I once had a drained battery after two days.

The reason was I had accidently activated the boot release, and the boot light had drained the battery!!

[ians]

I once had a drained battery after two days.

The reason was I had accidently activated the boot release, and the boot light had drained the battery!!

When I first got my facelift I left the key in the ignition over night when it was in the garage.   Dead flat the next day.