Got in car (1.9 Tdi) this morning and turned the key - nothing!

Breakdown guy came out and plugged it into his van to jump start it. It stated straight away althought the PAS light stayed on (battery not charging?) He tested the ampage across the wires and it was registering 10-12 which he said was high and that the battery probably needed changing.

The battery is the original one and had not given any trouble at all till now. I left it running for 20 mins as per his intructions after he had gone. PAS light still on but as soon as I turned it off and tried to restart - you guessed it, dead as a dodo!

I turned the iginition off/on again to see if the battery light came on which it did for a moment and then went off. Does this mean that the DFM wire is ok and it is just the battery that needs changing or possibly the Alternator?

I don't want to replace the battery if it's the Alternator obviously but If so, any recommendations om what type of battery I should get?

Thanks in advance...Chip

How old is the battery?

SN

its the orginal

What year is your car? You haven't said.

SN

Sorry Steve, its an 05 '54 plate

I have just replaced the battery on my '55(2006) vRS.

SN

If the battery light came on , then it will not be the wire

Cos if the wire is broken , then the light will not come on

Plus it does only come on for a while

Check out the steering light coming on too

That could be a problem

Sarah

Cheers Guys...

Battery light is on ? Battery voltage between 11 and 12 ( which is normal , not too high at all) sounds like you need a new alternator only

To check the alternator- start the engine, use a multi meter set to over 20 DC volts and connect it across the battery. It should read well over 12 volts between 13 and 14.5 volts.

To assess the battery. Leave the car over night. Connect the multi meter set as above but without the engine running. Anything below 12.2 volts and the battery has had it.

SN

Edited 22 July, 201213 yr by Steve Neate

you had any of the classic battery faults?

intermittent power steering lightt on, various random warning lights etc?

have had a battery fail with no notice, drove from kent to bedford, parked in customer carpark, was told i was in wrong bay, turned the key dead, all panel went out, could not even jump start it, as thought the battery went short circuit internally

Thanks for all the replies folks, your help is much appreciated. My mate came round tonight and we couldn't even jump start it to test with a multi meter, that's how dead it was. We had to give up because my jump leads were red hot!

I've not head any indications that the battery was on the way out and the trouble is you hear different stories, some say the battery goes over time others say it just stops - what do you do?

Batteries last 6yrs in average...............if over 8yrs old replace

Thanks for all the replies folks, your help is much appreciated. My mate came round tonight and we couldn't even jump start it to test with a multi meter, that's how dead it was. We had to give up because my jump leads were red hot!

I've not head any indications that the battery was on the way out and the trouble is you hear different stories, some say the battery goes over time others say it just stops - what do you do?

I've had both .But of recent years they seem to just fall over without warning, even those just about to go out of warranty

That bettery is pretty old and probably getting tired.

Euro Car parts are pretty reasonable and we (as briskodians) get 25% off too.

Phil

OK everyone. it is all sorted.

Managed to jump start it this morning and take it to local motor factors. Alternator checked out fine but when the guy checked the battery he said he had never seen one that was as dead as mine. New battery fitted and all is well.

I must admit it was a bit hairy driving there with no PAS though!

Thanks again for all the valuable input. As ever, Briskodians are fantastic!

PS Didn't know Briskodians get 25% off at Euro Car Parts - how do you redeem it?

Edited 23 July, 201213 yr by ChipUK

Well, I'm glad I found all this. My '03 Octy TDI just flaked out on the way back from B&Q - no warning at all.

Here is the sequence:

The radio switched itself off; odd I thought, but I could not get it back on, then while trying I saw the brake and ABS warning lights come on, "hellow", I thought then heard the engine sound rather agricultural and decided to pull over incase I did any damage.

I Left ignition off for a while, then turn the key - all warning lights on, and then off in what looked like the right sequence, but ignition would not happen and no effort from the starter motor was heard. I plugged in the diagnostics thing and I got no engine codes, but I did find 'low voltage' on the brakes.

After about 15 mins resting, the starter motor managed a very small push (not even a chug), but this indicates to me that I do not have a control circuitry or fuse problem, rather the poor old batery has given up (it's nine or ten years old now). Could be alternator, leakage, etc., etc. We will see tomorow.

I hope I get this fixed quick - I'm booked on the ferry on Sunday (and this is Friday night).

Keith.

UPDATE: dear oh dear! Not just batery, the junction box on top of it had burned due to the nut holding one of the wire crimps down comming loose and touching next-door (other polarity) wire. Further problems in wiring back to alternatator, which itself may be stuffed: they don't know yet. I am told it is lucky there wasn't a fire!

Ferry cancelled.

K.

PS Didn't know Briskodians get 25% off at Euro Car Parts - how do you redeem it?

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/208046-forum-discount-for-briskodanet-members/

Edited 27 July, 201213 yr by LGM

Cheers LGM

Chip