cookci Posted February 8, 2007 Share Posted February 8, 2007 basically my car battery keeps going flat when the cars sat for a few days so i had it tested which showed it needed replacing... i replaced it with a halfords HB005 for £34 on trade but the problem is still occuring. i tested the new battery (using the halfords battery tester) which said it needs charging. Id driven the car enough to charge the battery. ive put a multimeter accross the battery whilst running and it shows 14V, does that mean the alternator is ok? im fubbered now unless the halfords tester is incorrect any suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookci Posted February 8, 2007 Author Share Posted February 8, 2007 btw i considered there might be something draining the battery however ive havent changed anything since summer when i left it standing for a week whilst i was on hols! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoff Posted February 8, 2007 Share Posted February 8, 2007 Hey. I know sweet FA bout the technical stuff on cars but I had a similar problem a few years ago on a motor id rather not mention. Anyway it turned out to be the stereo wired up wrongly. I know thats probably not the problem but maybe its worth checking. Thats all I got. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk-rich Posted February 8, 2007 Share Posted February 8, 2007 is there a constant voltage of 14v even when engine is revvedup ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted February 8, 2007 Share Posted February 8, 2007 You need to test what the drain is when the car is off to see if there's a short somewhere. From chassis ground to +ve should be 0.x volts or less. If it's showing a higher voltage then you need to start working out where the drain is. (Make sure that all internal lights etc are off when testing of course) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUPRASUZUKI Posted February 8, 2007 Share Posted February 8, 2007 I use a battery conditioner. Type accumate or optimate into google. Your battery will continue to go flat if you don't drive the car regularly and you've got equipment which is constantly live. Llike the analogue clock in the facelift (IIRC) and alarm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gamer Posted February 8, 2007 Share Posted February 8, 2007 Hook up a multimeter to the battery and then start pulling fuses until you find the culprit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookci Posted February 8, 2007 Author Share Posted February 8, 2007 so put a postive lead from the multimeter on the postive terminal on the battery and the other on the chassis? that would read 12V+ though? im confused Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk-rich Posted February 9, 2007 Share Posted February 9, 2007 you need to wire your multimeter in series with the battery, ie, disconect the positve, and connect it through the multimeter to the car. hope thats unerstandable, do not turn the ignition on as you will blow the fuse in your meter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Havard Posted February 9, 2007 Share Posted February 9, 2007 I know I'm a relative novice but why is this not the alternator?? Or do we not want to discuss this as they as so expensive?? H. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookci Posted February 9, 2007 Author Share Posted February 9, 2007 once i get the car started and leave it to run for five minutes it starts again so is charging Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookci Posted February 9, 2007 Author Share Posted February 9, 2007 only recently figured that out lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Posted February 17, 2007 Share Posted February 17, 2007 Ressurection... What alarm system do you have? I've heard the stocker can drain power.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soonto_HAS_soop Posted February 17, 2007 Share Posted February 17, 2007 FYI, mine starts charging at 14.6v immediately after the starting, then after 5 minutes drops down to just under 13v. It is still putting in a small amount of amps into the battery and it doesn't go flat, so don't consider that 14v is actually putting the amps in. Have you got a big stereo, lots of gauges/electrics, electric fans and twin pumps? Or is it just standard? Have you got a manual or auto? As the Auto puts out an extra 10amps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookci Posted February 24, 2007 Author Share Posted February 24, 2007 ive got an auto. I checked the drain whilst stationary and it was neglible. recently ive switched the alarm so maybe thats fixed (had a toad now got a code). The car has been sat again now for a few days so ill have to wait and see thanks for your help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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