Vauxhall Combo '00 not starting

Fcombo

Hi, I have been having problems starting my combo, having to resort to jump starting it just before christmas. Last week it took 20mins to start, then as I was driving home the lights started to fade and were out by the time I parked. I tried to start it the following day, but battery seemed to be dead.

I have now bought a charger and battery seems to be fully charged, but when I connect it, nothing comes on until I press the glow plug button (think the timer has gone at some stage in its life, so was bypassed by a clever mechanic). When the button is pressed, the ignition lights come on and lights on the stereo light up, but the engine wont turn over, let alone start.

I have tested the voltage of the battery and it is 11.85v.

Has anyone got any ideas as to the underlying problem?

Many thanks,

Ferg

Gordon_Hose

Does it have an immobiliser?

What you initially described looks like an alternator issue to me.

Fcombo

Hi Gordon,

Im not sure if it has an imobiliser, certainly doesnt have an aftermarket one.

I had the charging system checked in october when it wouldnt start. The garage couldnt find any problems, the battery was replaced and seemed to solve the problem.

It seems odd that non of the electrical systems come on till the glowplug button is pressed.....

Gordon_Hose

Maybe a short in the glowplug switch bodge?

Fcombo

Do you think i could just disconnect the battery and then replace the switch or should I replcae the wiring too? Im guessing it is just a switch straight from the battery to the glowplug rail

Ferg

goldspanners

your battery voltage is too low for a start, it should be above 12v before starting,usually around 12.5 volts. then when it starts it should be getting a charge from the alternator giving a reading between 13-14v.

get the wiring job looked at for the makeshift glow plug switch,this might be draining the system.

something is draining your battery or its not properly charging if its only 11.85v.

Fcombo

Battery comes off my charger fully charged at 11.85v, so battery could be gubbed, was new only a couple of months ago. Will see if the garage can pick it up tomorrow.
Thanks for your help

goldspanners

Fcombo wrote: »

Battery comes off my charger fully charged at 11.85v, so battery could be gubbed, was new only a couple of months ago. Will see if the garage can pick it up tomorrow.
Thanks for your help

could be a dead cell in your battery. or a fault with your charger. can you load test the battery? can you open the cells to access the electrolyte?

Fcombo

I can open the battery. Should the cells be full to the top or should there be a specific air gap? The battery is only a couple of months old, could a short in the glowplug bodge have damaged a cell in the battery?
I have ordered a set of plugs, so will change them. Will need to investigate replacing the glowplug relay as they are cheap on ebay. Has you had experience in replacing a relay?

Thanks again, Ferg

Gordon_Hose

Open the battery?! Blimey...

Don't splash yourself!

Fcombo

Ha ha, will try not to! The charger manual said to charge the battery with the cells open to aid charging, so have done it before