Battery not holdin charge but car runs when jumped????

1. Steveupton Newbie Joined: Dec 2011 Posts: 25

   #1 19th December 2011, 09:12

   Hi I bought a vtr mk1 recently and the battery was dead so I bought a new battery everything ok. After driving it for a few days the battery has run flat ??? Thought this might be alternator but if it were there'd be a light on the dash surley. ???? The car bumps and runs fine but won't start on the key??? Any ideas??? Cheers lads
2. user_53493 Frequent Poster Joined: Jun 2011 Cardiff Posts: 908 Mk4 Fiesta Encore Mk1 Saxo Eastcoast

   #2 19th December 2011, 09:14

   Definitely sounds like the alternator's not charging the battery properly, hence why it runs fine when there's power going into it. Get it tested bud!
3. Steveupton Newbie Joined: Dec 2011 Posts: 25

   #3 19th December 2011, 09:18

   Yeah matey that's what I thought but wouldn't the light on the dash come on if it ain't charging correctly??
4. user_53493 Frequent Poster Joined: Jun 2011 Cardiff Posts: 908 Mk4 Fiesta Encore Mk1 Saxo Eastcoast

   #4 19th December 2011, 09:19

   Are you sure the battery's dead? Check your windscreen wipers for slow movement, dim lights, etc. If it's just starting slow it could be the starter motor?
   
   I'm sure a garage will test the alternator for you for pennies, if any
5. Manu Saxperience Addict Joined: Dec 2009 Posts: 11714 A6 Le Mans tuned/A3 TFSI tuned

   #5 19th December 2011, 09:41

   get your battery and alternator tested.
6. Steveupton Newbie Joined: Dec 2011 Posts: 25

   #6 19th December 2011, 09:56

   Well battery was brand new 3months ago on a golf gti n no troubled do I know the battery is fine!!? Would it be worth checking connections etc?
7. Steveupton Newbie Joined: Dec 2011 Posts: 25

   #7 19th December 2011, 09:58

   Plus do halfords offer a batt and alt test?? I live next door to one
8. danny-vts Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Dec 2010 Chesterfield/Nottingham Posts: 7147 dead vts. twisted 106 gti. '03' vtrrrr

   #8 19th December 2011, 10:22

   go to halfords get them to do a battery and alternator check...its free
9. button282 L-plater Joined: May 2011 Oxfordshire Posts: 74 Saxo desire

   #9 19th December 2011, 10:22

   sounds like the alternator, i had this problem, started alrite then drove it for bout 8 mile and the car just died on me, i didnt know what it was 100% at the time so i bought a new battery, done the same thing so ma mate had an alternator still on his old engine, fitted it and has been perfecly fine.
   halfords do the battery test, but depending on what tester they got depends if they can do the alternator...if not just pop to a garage
10. Steveupton Newbie Joined: Dec 2011 Posts: 25

    #10 19th December 2011, 10:48

    Cheers lads but surley if it's alternator related wouldn't the light be on in the dash???
11. button282 L-plater Joined: May 2011 Oxfordshire Posts: 74 Saxo desire

    #11 19th December 2011, 10:51

    cnt remember now tbh, thats the next thing i would try is a new alternator
12. user_53493 Frequent Poster Joined: Jun 2011 Cardiff Posts: 908 Mk4 Fiesta Encore Mk1 Saxo Eastcoast

    #12 19th December 2011, 11:10

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Steveupton Cheers lads but surley if it's alternator related wouldn't the light be on in the dash???

    Maybe, maybe not. If Halfords check the alternator and battery for free then I'd just do that and go from there
    
    Let us know!
13. Steveupton Newbie Joined: Dec 2011 Posts: 25

    #13 19th December 2011, 11:27

    Cheers. Thinkin about it if the cars running and the alt is holdin charge for it to run that'd probs stop the light from comin on anyway I'll get an electrician at work to test it in abit. What should it read on the voltmeter??
14. user_20080 Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.

    #14 19th December 2011, 11:55

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Steveupton Yeah matey that's what I thought but wouldn't the light on the dash come on if it ain't charging correctly??

    Not always sometimes the dash light can be blown or the connections on the alternator are dirty,Halfords test them free of charge.
15. Steveupton Newbie Joined: Dec 2011 Posts: 25

    #15 19th December 2011, 14:44

    Sorry to be a pain but where are the earths located???
16. user_53493 Frequent Poster Joined: Jun 2011 Cardiff Posts: 908 Mk4 Fiesta Encore Mk1 Saxo Eastcoast

    #16 19th December 2011, 14:52

    Near the battery, under the glove box (pull the carpet on the left), near both front inner wings, and sometimes by the cooling fan.
17. Steveupton Newbie Joined: Dec 2011 Posts: 25

    #17 19th December 2011, 15:17

    Ok niceone I heard the better the earth the better the charge from the alt. might just be dirty earths fingers crossed :/
18. user_53493 Frequent Poster Joined: Jun 2011 Cardiff Posts: 908 Mk4 Fiesta Encore Mk1 Saxo Eastcoast

    #18 19th December 2011, 15:24

    Just get the battery / alternator tested at Halfords for free. They close at 8pm so you could always pop in after work. Best to rule that out first.
19. aphillips L-plater Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 33 saxo vtr

    #19 19th December 2011, 16:27

    Doubt it is this, but worth a try (it happened to me) I jump started another car and acidentally pulled one of the clips off the battery, check there both on properly mate
20. Steveupton Newbie Joined: Dec 2011 Posts: 25

    #20 19th December 2011, 16:39

    Car didn't start at all got ignition lights so banged jump leads on first time tick over it started and everything worked fine elec windows lights stereo everythin worked fine just this second pulled up tyres startin and it's as if the batt is completely dead :/? Electrition at work says its not alternator if it's holdin charge to run??? Could it just be a bad earth??
21. button282 L-plater Joined: May 2011 Oxfordshire Posts: 74 Saxo desire

    #21 19th December 2011, 16:46

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Steveupton Cheers. Thinkin about it if the cars running and the alt is holdin charge for it to run that'd probs stop the light from comin on anyway I'll get an electrician at work to test it in abit. What should it read on the voltmeter??

    i know its a little bit late as you've had someone look at it
    but was told if you get a voltmeter and test the battery should be 12V then if you get the car started then put earth on the negative terminal on the battery, the put the positive on the positive connector on the voltmeter it should say 14V
22. user_53493 Frequent Poster Joined: Jun 2011 Cardiff Posts: 908 Mk4 Fiesta Encore Mk1 Saxo Eastcoast

    #22 19th December 2011, 16:48

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Steveupton just this second pulled up tyres startin and it's as if the batt is completely dead

    I'm not really sure what you mean.
    
    Look, if it's completely dead when you start it, but starts fine when you jump it, but then doesn't start when you try to start it again, it'll most likely be the alternator. Halfords test it for free, they close at 8pm. Go and get it checked first to rule it out before indulging in any other fixes or possible causes.
23. holdawayt Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Jan 2010 Stourbridge Posts: 7338 Nissan 200sx S14a

    #23 19th December 2011, 16:49

    You could always take it to halfords for an alternator and battery test. I hear it's free.
24. user_53493 Frequent Poster Joined: Jun 2011 Cardiff Posts: 908 Mk4 Fiesta Encore Mk1 Saxo Eastcoast

    #24 19th December 2011, 16:51

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by holdawayt You could always take it to halfords for an alternator and battery test. I hear it's free.

    Was thinking the same thing
25. button282 L-plater Joined: May 2011 Oxfordshire Posts: 74 Saxo desire

    #25 19th December 2011, 16:55

    not all halfords have the bosch battery tester which needs the (EN or SAE amp rating)...which tells you if the battery is unservice-able or if its a good battery...so some just use a voltmeter to check the voltage...but yer, should be 12V on battery when off..then the alternator should be 14V when running...the battery voltage should increase when its running aswell
26. holdawayt Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Jan 2010 Stourbridge Posts: 7338 Nissan 200sx S14a

    #26 19th December 2011, 16:56

    Does get annoying when people ask for suggestions. You provide the correct solution or at least a way of finding out for definite but instead they sit here fishing for more replies or challenging our suggestion.
    
    If it starts with jump leads it'll run for a short while on what little power the battery provides. If the alternator is playing up you'll soon loose the charge and it'll cut out.
27. user_53493 Frequent Poster Joined: Jun 2011 Cardiff Posts: 908 Mk4 Fiesta Encore Mk1 Saxo Eastcoast

    #27 19th December 2011, 17:01

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by holdawayt Does get annoying when people ask for suggestions. You provide the correct solution or at least a way of finding out for definite but instead they sit here fishing for more replies or challenging our suggestion.

    This.
    
    Test your battery yourself, if not, take it to somewhere that can do it for free. It'll most likely be that. If it's not, then come back and find out what else it can be.
28. Steveupton Newbie Joined: Dec 2011 Posts: 25

    #28 19th December 2011, 17:03

    Sittin here fishin cause that's all you've said take it too halfords ?? There about as on the ball as a drown rat!! Thought this was a forum for solutions not an advertisement for halfords...anyway gonna clean all connections as someone's already told me the battery and alt are fine!!! Bin at work 12hrs today and central lockin and dash clock work fine so nothing's draining it..thanks for the suggestions anyway. Looks like best ya can come up with is halfords :/!
29. holdawayt Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Jan 2010 Stourbridge Posts: 7338 Nissan 200sx S14a

    #29 19th December 2011, 17:08

    You live next door to a shop that provides a FREE test to determine the health of your battery and alternator.
    
    We have suggested that your battery and alternator are most likely to be the cause of your issue.
    
    What else do you want us to do? Surely a bit of intuition would tell you to take the thing next door and see what's wrong. If that doesn't solve your issue then you come back and ask for suggestions.
30. button282 L-plater Joined: May 2011 Oxfordshire Posts: 74 Saxo desire

    #30 19th December 2011, 17:11

    tbh garage is a better place to take it, if someones had a look at it and says the battery and alternator is fine take their word, clean connectors like you said and if the problem still occurs borrow a battery from someone or get a new one...if it works it works, if it doesnt try another alternator hopefully it works, just do one thing at a time...only so much a halfords store can do...believe me i know i work there and if someone comes in and i cnt see a logical problem i refer them straight to a garage
31. button282 L-plater Joined: May 2011 Oxfordshire Posts: 74 Saxo desire

    #31 19th December 2011, 17:13

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by holdawayt You live next door to a shop that provides a FREE test to determine the health of your battery and alternator. We have suggested that your battery and alternator are most likely to be the cause of your issue. What else do you want us to do? Surely a bit of intuition would tell you to take the thing next door and see what's wrong. If that doesn't solve your issue then you come back and ask for suggestions.

    its free though...and sometimes some garages do it for free, but like you said you only live down the road, thats the only reason why people have said just to pop down there...
32. holdawayt Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Jan 2010 Stourbridge Posts: 7338 Nissan 200sx S14a

    #32 19th December 2011, 17:16

    Believe me I've never recommended Halfords to anybody before, it just seems logical if the bloke lives next door to one and they don't charge.
    
    No offence to halfords employee's btw, lots of my friends work in our local stores and are helpful when it comes to stereo issues!
33. Steveupton Newbie Joined: Dec 2011 Posts: 25

    #33 19th December 2011, 17:40

    Sorry lads not meanin to be a dick tis just I bought the car the other day now this happens stressed to say the least . I've got 2 dead batteries I'll charge them up n take it to halfords gonna get voltmeter onnit 2mo with electrician from work. I know the batt is good cause it's a few months old and come off my gti which ran and charged with no probs :/ thanks all the same . Btw the halfords near me is small and just seems to be old women that work there hahahaha.
34. Steveupton Newbie Joined: Dec 2011 Posts: 25

    #34 21st December 2011, 16:42

    Balls to it I've rung the AA and theyll be here soon but noticed today my mate who's got exactly the same car as me gave me a jump off his battery. On lookin at his alternator it's bigger than mine??!? And I can tell his is standard cause it looks fucked lol was just wonderin if I may have the wrong alternator on??? Mines a lot smaller could this be the cause of it not charging the battery???
35. holdawayt Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Jan 2010 Stourbridge Posts: 7338 Nissan 200sx S14a

    #35 21st December 2011, 16:53

    Sounds reasonable, see what mr AA man says but if an identical car has a bigger alternator it seems odd.
36. Steveupton Newbie Joined: Dec 2011 Posts: 25

    #36 21st December 2011, 23:08

    OH My DAyz!!!! Mr AA checked battery.....everythin cool....then mr AA checked alt..everythin cool :/. So he said there's a problem between the alt n the battery...stripped back the wire and hey presto the live wire was absolutely screwed. Cut it all back replaced with new wire n there we go vtr back in business alt workin perfectly and now charging battery an absolute treat. Glad I didnt go to a garage . Proba got a load o coin out mi for nothin.
37. holdawayt Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Jan 2010 Stourbridge Posts: 7338 Nissan 200sx S14a

    #37 22nd December 2011, 08:09

    Wheeeey glad it's sorted mate!
38. user_53493 Frequent Poster Joined: Jun 2011 Cardiff Posts: 908 Mk4 Fiesta Encore Mk1 Saxo Eastcoast

    #38 22nd December 2011, 10:09

    Fantastic news!
39. user_46658 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Aug 2010 Little Mill, South Wales Posts: 7547 Mondeo ST TDCI Saxo VTS

    #39 22nd December 2011, 10:21

    In that case I will add my problems to this thread instead of making a new one.
    
    Started the car this morning but it took ages and sounded like it lacked power to start. ON the way to work then I looked at the clock and it read 1.10 (this was at 8.30). What you think guys?
    
    Something draining power or battery on its way out?
40. user_53493 Frequent Poster Joined: Jun 2011 Cardiff Posts: 908 Mk4 Fiesta Encore Mk1 Saxo Eastcoast

    #40 22nd December 2011, 10:23

    Hmm, couple of things.. check if the boot light goes out when you close the boot so that it's not drawing any power. Check the earths, and I'd give the battery a test.
    
    Go out and try starting the car now. If it's still slow it may be the alternator?
41. user_46658 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Aug 2010 Little Mill, South Wales Posts: 7547 Mondeo ST TDCI Saxo VTS

    #41 22nd December 2011, 10:27

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by geraintthomas Hmm, couple of things.. check if the boot light goes out when you close the boot so that it's not drawing any power. Check the earths, and I'd give the battery a test. Go out and try starting the car now. If it's still slow it may be the alternator?

    Will check tonight, cheers matey
42. Steveupton Newbie Joined: Dec 2011 Posts: 25

    #42 22nd December 2011, 18:38

    Yeah mate car runs sweet as nut... charging n lot. On close inspection of the engine bay. He's only had a 4-1 race manifold banged onnit plus a brand new silver pack Bosch battery looks like the guy who sold it me had the same prob changed the battery for a brand new top of the range and it drained it so he sold it to me cheap. hahahaha thought I got done by look who's laughing now. Over some bloody new wire lol cheers lads for the advise and help