Hi, my 2004 Fabia 1.9 has developed a strange fault, it will start no problem from cold but if left at idle for 5-10 mins the power steering warning light will come on and the lights will dim to the extent that it will not restart if turned off at this point (battery flat). Charge at idle is 14.3 volts and the battery itself seems fine. If you drive away from cold there seems to be no problem. Any Ideas?

Hi, my 2004 Fabia 1.9 has developed a strange fault, it will start no problem from cold but if left at idle for 5-10 mins the power steering warning light will come on and the lights will dim to the extent that it will not restart if turned off at this point (battery flat). Charge at idle is 14.3 volts and the battery itself seems fine. If you drive away from cold there seems to be no problem. Any Ideas?

14.3v is not enough to charge battery, have an auto electrician check over. You would normally require a 15+ min run at 30mph + to make up for a cold start. This cold weather will increase this time, age of battery and sulphation could also cause problems.. My own vehicle will produce 16.5v at tickover with a new vehicle,

Addmitedly when i served my time with F*RD 14.3 volt at idle would have been acceptable with 14.7v the norm, but 16.5 volts would have had bulbs turning black in no-time at all. altho i am possibly wrong 10 mins at idle (no lights, fans etc) just running fuel pump ECU PAS should not drain a battery this fast, or should it?

Hi, my 2004 Fabia 1.9 has developed a strange fault, it will start no problem from cold but if left at idle for 5-10 mins the power steering warning light will come on and the lights will dim to the extent that it will not restart if turned off at this point (battery flat). Charge at idle is 14.3 volts and the battery itself seems fine. If you drive away from cold there seems to be no problem. Any Ideas?

Have a search for "LOAD SIGNAL WIRE" - when it breaks the car wont charge the battery until its over 2000rpm.

Simple 10 minute fix with a soldering iron

I'm not sure about 16.5V either - I don't think I've ever owned a car where the alternator put out anything other than 14.4???

The load signal wire (AKA exciter cable) - as mentioned above - is definitely the most likely culprit IMHO

Mines did this , started it left it running for ten mins to warm up, no power steering switched off and it wouldn't start :-/ wasn't impressed. Oh it's a vrs

Edited 10 December, 201015 yr by Chris182

14.3v is not enough to charge battery, have an auto electrician check over. You would normally require a 15+ min run at 30mph + to make up for a cold start. This cold weather will increase this time, age of battery and sulphation could also cause problems.. My own vehicle will produce 16.5v at tickover with a new vehicle,

If you are getting 16.5 Volts at tick over I would get it checked out ! Far too high it will cook the battery

Max 14.5 and normal at 14.1 to 14.3

Radiotwo

Thanks DEANO, bang on, load sensing wire broken on connector at the bottom of the gearbox front. Symptoms were no battery warning light and battery discharge at idle ( 10.5 volts) as you said simple 10 minute fix, that is when you find it! anyway A1!

Thanks DEANO, bang on, load sensing wire broken on connector at the bottom of the gearbox front. Symptoms were no battery warning light and battery discharge at idle ( 10.5 volts) as you said simple 10 minute fix, that is when you find it! anyway A1!

Any chance you could take a picture of the culprit?

Did you access it from under the bonnet or underneath the car?

Thanks in advance

I didnt realise leaving the car on idle can charge the battery... :wonder:

The voltage doesn't rise that high because the current raises to charge the battery when on higher rpm..

Voltage is the amount of water, the current is the water flow rate....

...This is also why short journey's are bad for batteries, because engine doesnt get warmed nor revved.

Edited 15 December, 201015 yr by JLneonhug

Any chance you could take a picture of the culprit?

Did you access it from under the bonnet or underneath the car?

Thanks in advance

Here is the guide i used - http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showpost.php?p=2316560&postcount=1

I didnt realise leaving the car on idle can charge the battery... :wonder:

This is also why short journey's are bad for batteries, because engine doesnt get warmed nor revved.

VAG realised this problem many years ago and added a Load Signal or Exciter wire to the system.

This wire activates the charging circuit as soon as the engine is up and running.

Here is the guide i used - http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showpost.php?p=2316560&postcount=1

Cheers for the link

VAG realised this problem many years ago and added a Load Signal or Exciter wire to the system.

This wire activates the charging circuit as soon as the engine is up and running.

Oic, just vag or generally all cars now?

Oic, just vag or generally all cars now?

Probably most, if not all cars now.

The guide on the link is where my wires snapped, I tried to get at it from the top because lying in the mud is not much fun. But ended up taking the bottom tray off anyway. 14.4v at idle without revving the engine, happy-days, Thanks

I tried to get at it from the top because lying in the mud is not much fun. But ended up taking the bottom tray off anyway.

HAHA - i know that feeling - I looked like a miner after doing mine in the street too.