Hi all, old member under a new name (so few problems with the car I got locked out of old account!) hoping for some advice on my 2016 1.6 diesel elegance 4x4

 

Went to start the car this morning and it was dead. I mean the lights came on inside and the dash lit up, but it just clicked when I turned the key. The battery was replaced a couple of years ago. I checked with a multimeter and it's reading 12.35 which is not great, but should be enough to turn it over? Last drive was 25 miles where I had deliberately kept the revs up because it hadn't been drived for a week or so other than one short trip.

 

I've noticed that even on very short trips the engine fan stays on for ages now. Could that have run the battery down so far it won't even turn over?

 

Any suggestions or advice welcome. Don't really want to have to drag the battery out to charge it or change it if there is an alternative.

 

Thanks in anticipation.

5A94AC8A-792B-45D2-9D99-D948F5BD2E9C.heic

Edited 16 November, 20241 yr by HighlandLassie2
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Checking the battery voltage off load with a multimeter doesn't tell you a great deal unless it is completely dead.

 

The starter and even the starter solenoid take much more current than anything else. Things may initially look OK with a weak or discharged battery when you turn the key to the first position, but as soon as you engage the starter solenoid the loading will cause the voltage to dip right down. There may not even be enough to engage the starter, and all you get is a click as the starter solenoid pulls in part way.

 

I suggest charging the battery from a mains powered charger. If you use one of those typical 3 or 4 amp types this will take maybe 24 hours.  Then try starting while an assistant measures the voltage at the battery terminals, if healthy this should be no lower than 9 volts.  Assuming the engine starts, then check that you have around 14 volts showing which indicates that the alternator is charging.

 

Rather less likely but still possible is a poor (high resistance) joint somewhere in the starter or solenoid high current circuits or the earth return to the battery.  In this case, even with a good battery, voltage will be "lost" in the resistance.

Thanks Austin, I was worried I might have to haul it out and into the house (why do they have to be so damn heavy?!?). Will try this. Disappointed if it is the battery though, given it isn't that old and the indicator is saying it's still good (not sure if the photo I uploaded is showing) and holding a charge.

 

Will update. Thanks

4 minutes ago, HighlandLassie2 said:

why do they have to be so damn heavy?

It's a box full of metal and water.

1 hour ago, HighlandLassie2 said:

Thanks Austin, I was worried I might have to haul it out and into the house (why do they have to be so damn heavy?!?). Will try this. Disappointed if it is the battery though, given it isn't that old and the indicator is saying it's still good (not sure if the photo I uploaded is showing) and holding a charge.

 

Will update. Thanks

Important note - The 'Magic Eye' indicator on the top of the battery does not give an indication of the state of charge (SOC) - it merely indicates the electrolyte (liquid acid) level.

Measure the battery voltage while somebody else tries to start the car. That will tell you if it’s the battery or whether you have a bad connection elsewhere.