75 replies to this topic

[J4EY D]

I've got a new battery in it, about 3 months old, its a bosch silver thing so its not a cheapy. Gone to start the Vx just now and it won't I can hear a loud clicking coming from behind me, everytime it clicks the stack dimms. After a couple of trys the alarm starts to sound... Which is annoying Does it sound like something is draining the battery?

[techieboy]

Flat battery. When was the last time you used it?

[Mangham54]

Flat battery. When was the last time you used it?

Defo dead battery.

[J4EY D]

Erm last used sunday, but only a couple of miles. Before that it was used everyday for the last few months.

[NickB787]

have you checked the voltage of the thing I was having battery problems again but after removing the earthing points and filing them down to give a clean contact and wire brush on the body, she seems fine. Pain doing the one in the front though battery out job

Edited by NickB777, 24 October 2012 - 11:37 AM.

[G-Bob]

Check if the connectors are on the terminals properly. If they are loose then it does the clicking thing too. Also, it won't be charging properly if it's not got a good connection.

[J4EY D]

have you checked the voltage of the thing

I was having battery problems again but after removing the earthing points and filing them down to give a clean contact and wire brush on the body, she seems fine. Pain doing the one in the front though battery out job

Thats a good point, i'll have a look at the earthing points tomorrow

I have no way of checking the voltage of the battery though as my scanguage doesnt work with the webcon ecu.

Check if the connectors are on the terminals properly. If they are loose then it does the clicking thing too.
Also, it won't be charging properly if it's not got a good connection.

I tried to wiggle the terminals but they seem solid. I'll make sure they are nice and tight when i check the earthing points though

[techieboy]

Maplins multimeter and

[simsy]

Battery voltages with engine off (not meaning full if car has just been run or battery charged within 10 mins or so)... volts charge % 12.65 v 100% 12.45 v 75% 12.24 v 50% 12.06 v 25% 11.89 v 0%

Edited by simsy, 24 October 2012 - 12:41 PM.

[Andy_VX]

If your car doesnt have central locking then ignore this but if it does then this is worth a look. I had the same problem! I tried differnet batteries, cleaned the terminals etc but it turned out to be the back up battery that opens the doors with the secret button that was draining my main battery, it was faulty, it had bulged sides and was really hot! You could feel the heat therough the clam from the outside. I would definitely check this first because it's probably the fault. To remove it just look in the boot on top of the nearside rear wheel arch, it's in a small plastic box, just unscrew the cover undo the terminals and rmove. very simple. they're about £15 to replace but i've just left mine out for now and my main battery has been perfect ever since! HTH Andy.

[J4EY D]

Cheers Techie and Simsy both really helpful posts Im going to pop round mbes's house after work and borrow a battery volt meter thingy

[NickB787]

these cars are now getting on a bit I think corrosion with earthing points can only get worse

[J4EY D]

If your car doesnt have central locking then ignore this but if it does then this is worth a look.

I had the same problem! I tried differnet batteries, cleaned the terminals etc but it turned out to be the back up battery that opens the doors with the secret button that was draining my main battery, it was faulty, it had bulged sides and was really hot! You could feel the heat therough the clam from the outside. I would definitely check this first because it's probably the fault. To remove it just look in the boot on top of the nearside rear wheel arch, it's in a small plastic box, just unscrew the cover undo the terminals and rmove. very simple. they're about £15 to replace but i've just left mine out for now and my main battery has been perfect ever since!

HTH

Andy.

Nope, no central locking as its an NA. Thanks for the post though, alway nice to have a lot of info in one thread

[simsy]

Only a trusted or calibrated volt meter can be relied upon to read to this accuracy. Most professional quality digital meters will.

[J4EY D]

Only a trusted or calibrated volt meter can be relied upon to read to this accuracy. Most professional quality digital meters will.

Yeah he's got a proper battery tester as well as a multimeter

[christhegasman]

If you have never had battery drain problems before I would defiantly check how tight the battery clamp connections are I had the same problem after fitting a new battery worked fine for a few days went work in the Vx jumped in to come home with a few mates around and you guessed it click bonnet up tighten the connection and away we go. The connections are crap also check it hasn't spun a little and shorting onto the tub as it is very close at best

[mbes2]

[J4EY D]

If you have never had battery drain problems before I would defiantly check how tight the battery clamp connections are I had the same problem after fitting a new battery worked fine for a few days went work in the Vx jumped in to come home with a few mates around and you guessed it click bonnet up tighten the connection and away we go. The connections are crap also check it hasn't spun a little and shorting onto the tub as it is very close at best

I'll double check when i get home tonight, a halfords guy replaced it for me... he's a mate so i didnt feel too bad when he realised where the battery was . I really hope this is the problem! I'll give them a clean up as well, do the connections need any grease or something on them or should they be totally clean? (Noob question )

[J4EY D]

Cheers Mark!

p.s. DO SOME WORK

[mbes2]

Just call the AA / RAC home relay .. or whatever cover you have .. sorted