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Battery Problem

  • 02-07-2010 12:58pm
    #1
    Umiq88
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,559 ✭✭✭


    I have a 02 Ford Ka and there's a problem with the battery draining.

    I used to drive it all the time so never came across a problem but now its driven about 1.5miles a day.

    I don't think its an alternator problem as I started it with jump leads and left it running and the battery seemed to charge as I was able to start it the next morning. Is there a way I can confirm if the alternator is ok?

    I suspect its probably the battery and it just needs a replacment possibly from the cold winter. Is there a way to check if the battery needs replacing.

    The other problem could be that something is draining the battery which will take a bit of finding. I will disconnect the neutral over the weekend and see if that the problem.

    I have a trickle 12V battery charger. If I were to leave this on it in place with the leads connected would it cause any problems. Obviously not with the car started in case theres a conflict with the alternator.

    Any help or insight would be appreciated


Comments

  • #2
    Henry Ford III
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators Posts: 17,858 Mod ✭✭✭✭Henry Ford III


    Put a multimeter across the battery terminals whilst the engine is running. You should get 13+ volts.

    Any less and the alternator is faulty.


  • #3
    langdang
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,857 ✭✭✭langdang


    psittacosis wrote: »
    I have a trickle 12V battery charger. If I were to leave this on it in place with the leads connected would it cause any problems. Obviously not with the car started in case theres a conflict with the alternator.

    Any help or insight would be appreciated
    I had to do this recently and the only problem I could foresee was the scammers who come around at 4am stuffing "charity clothing collection" leaflets in my door would not see the lead that was running out to the car and would knock the crocodile clips off by walking through the leads.
    I wouldn't have been too worried about something shorting as long as at least one scammer went up in a ball of flame with it. But anyhoo...

    Basic things you could do without a multimeter are check is there a glove box light or a boot light staying on, remove/unplug any accessories you might have (chargers/carkits), pull off the radio faceplate (or if you know your way around the fuses pull any non essential fuses) and see if the battery drain goes away? Sometimes installers don't fit carkits properly and they're always on?

    Check in case you've accidently hit the button for the rear-window demister?
    Short trips of 1.5 miles may not replenish a battery if you had the demister on ( may not even do it even without it on???)


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