Battery Output anyone??

forgotmyname

Turns over as fast as it did in the summer or slower? You need a service get the battery and glowplugs inspected.

Strider590

Lum wrote: »

It's an 07 so that battery, unless it's previously been replaced, is going to be six years old by now, so probably due a replacement. It should have a sticker on it saying when it was manufactured?

But yes as others have said, check the voltage with the engine not running and report back.

It'll probably read 12-13 volts, but that doesn't mean it has anywhere near it's original capacity.

LLM

It was slow turning over in the summer but as its got colder, its taking a bit longer.

I think we will try a new battery.

Think the fuel filter has been changed in the last year.

We've had the glow plugs checked by a mechanic a couple of weeks ago, mechanically, there's nothing wrong with it which he's said would suggest it could be electrical, or the battery.

Will be at the in laws over the weekend and think they should have something to check the battery so I shall do that and report back.

Thinking it may be cheaper to try a new battery and see how we get on than taking it to someone who can run one of those diagnostics things...

Thanks all for your input, much appreciated.

KD19

Take it to Halfords, they do a free battery test, they will check it under 'load' which is the proper way to test it. If the battery is fine under load then no need for a new battery.

forgotmyname

Halfords LOLOLOL Do you not like the Original Poster or something?

Crabman

A Haynes manual suggests the following steps. Hopefully other forum members will be able to comment on whether this is any good or can be relied upon as a rough guide:

1) Switch on headlights for 30 seconds then switch off.

2) Wait 4-5 minutes.

3) Check voltage of battery.

Results

< 12.2V = discharged
12.2-12.4V = partially discharged

I did this test a couple of weeks ago and a 7.5 year old Exide battery gave a reading of 12.53V.

Again, I don't know how reliable this test is. I'd echo earlier advice that after almost 6 years, it may be time for replacement.

If you know anyone who has a smart battery charger, it may be worth attaching it to see whether it delivers an improvement.

forgotmyname

Personally no. A faulty battery can recover in those 4 or 5 minutes.

Ive seen a battery register 12.6 volts and drop to below 10 the instant the lights were switched on.
Within 30 seconds of having the lights off the voltage returned.

Switch the lights on for 3 - 5 minutes or so and check the voltage with the lights still on.

Switch off and start the car check the voltage again this will show if the alternator is working.

Switch the headlights on, Heated rear window and the heater blowers on full.
And check the voltage again. This checks the alternator under load.

The voltages will vary depending on the car and charging system.

But a battery is 50% charged at 12.4 volts. 12 volts is actually flat.

Some charging systems put out 13.5volts and others can put out 14 - 16volts.

But the no load and load readings should be very similar. A drop when under load means the alternator is not upto scratch.

Norman_Castle

LLM wrote: »

Also, to clarify, when the engine is cold, we turn the key, and it cranks but doesn't start, so we have to turn the key again, sometimes it starts second time, sometimes we have to do it a third time

Does it have a glowplug light on the dashboard?. Do you wait for this to go out before turning the key fully?.

popeye2755

Not too sure about the Fiesta, but some cars use the external temperature to control the glow plugs. So if it's getting an incorrect reading, it might not be turning the glow plugs on for long enough.

colino

If it's an 07 I think this will have smart charging (another "advance" no one asked for) and that voltage, for the conditions might have been absolutely correct.
Even with multiple attempts, your car is starting so I would ordinarily rule out the battery.
More attention would swing in my mind to the glowplugs which at 5-6 years old might be past their best.
Get it properly code read (and interpreted) before spending on anything else.