Td4 battery problems?

Ongoing problems with our td4

Been having intermitent problems starting it, trying to get it started this morning and wouldn't catch. Battery now fla after a few attempts.

What voltage should I see on the battery when cranking?
Just before it ended up flat was seeing 9.6v

Wondering if dodgy battery is not helping diagnose the problems we are having.......

Anything much below 11v when cranking means that the battery is pretty well 'kaput' in my opinion.

Singvogel.

Singvogel said:

Anything much below 11v when cranking means that the battery is pretty well 'kaput' in my opinion.

Singvogel.

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Even if been cranking a while?

Blue407 said:

Even if been cranking a while?

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Yes - but to be sure I would suggest that you charge the battery fully then take some more readings with a digital meter after its been left standing for a 30 minutes at least.

Check voltage:

30 mins after fully charging. Min 12.5v
With headlights on before starting engine. min 11.5v
With engine idling. 13.5v to 14.2v
Headlights on and engine running. min 13.5v

It may just be that your battery is OK and its simply run down because of short journeys and use of lights/heater etc. Or something as simple as the interior light left on.

However you said you had only 9.6 volts so alarm bells tell me this battery perhaps has a duff cell and is beyond recovery.

Charging it overnight every night will keep you going for a very short period.

Methinks you need to get the wallet out.

You didn't say what the other problems were that are you having?

S.

After leaving it on charge for a while I got it started with some fast start.
With engine running it shows 14.2v, so alternator seems ok.

Will reserve judgment on battery until sort out starting and cutting out problems!

Have you got bad earth or bad battery connections?

If your battery is below 12.1 volts, or something like that, it will not start!!!

There's another 'sensor' that prevents it, you could try tow starting/bumping if manual box, but it will not start, ever!

If your battery won't hold it's charge above 12 volts, get a new battery!

That's the problem and it will sort it, honest. It did mine,

DOO!

ideal voltage is 12.6v - cold weather will always kill a weak battery

DUKE OF OFFLEY said:

If your battery is below 12.1 volts, or something like that, it will not start!!!

There's another 'sensor' that prevents it, you could try tow starting/bumping if manual box, but it will not start, ever!

If your battery won't hold it's charge above 12 volts, get a new battery!

That's the problem and it will sort it, honest. It did mine,

DOO!

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Below that voltage at rest, or while cranking?

Yes,at rest.
Your lights/horn/indicators will all work as normal, but something somewhere 'senses' this voltage drop & refuses to allow it to start.

Another, crazy crazy crazy modern idea. but if you charge your battery up all is OK & the alternator is showing it at 14v, then I would genuinely suspect battery itself.
How old is the battery and of course, the Cold Snap is here to test the likes of.

DoO