Charging Question

Hi People,

Sorry to launch straight in with a cry for help on post 1 but here goes anyway.....

The better half bought a 2002 5 door TD4 ES a couple of months ago and apart from having 2 of the '3 Amigos' occasionally the only other fault that has surfaced is the battery running out of juice a couple of times, about a month apart.

The first time, we just assumed that the battery had failed (it was the original) and shelled out for a new replacement. However a month later and the same thing happens.....car peters out and there is not enough volts to restart.

This time, I put a volt meter on it and the reading is just under 12V. Recharged the battery, put it back on the car, started the engine and the reading is about 13V. Keep engine running (at idle) and put the lights on and the reading increases to 14+V. So far so good. Now we put the heater fan on and the reading drops to 12V, increasing engine speed does not change things.

So, I'm a bit stumpped, what do you reckon? Do the readings imply that the alternator is not up to the job or that the blower is drawing too much?
Are there any other tests I can do?

Grateful for any suggestions.

Cheers

Chris

Clearly not enough charging voltage reaching the battery but before condemning the alternator remove clean and refit the main connection of the battery positive cable on the alternator.

Chaser said:

Clearly not enough charging voltage reaching the battery but before condemning the alternator remove clean and refit the main connection of the battery positive cable on the alternator.

Click to expand...

Ok, thanks for the advice its worth a try. The battery end of the cable is nice and clean but I didn't look at the other end!

Cheers

Chris

check your battery to body earth and the earth to the engine as well