Car not starting. Clicking noise.

[Pitbull]

Edit: Voltage across battery with car idling is 14.6 or so. It seems like the alternator is working.

You need to have your voltage regulator replaced. 14 is fine for idling but it needs more the higher the engine revs as well as when items are switched on. I had a similar problem with my bakkie. Replaced the voltage regulator and my battery problems disappeared. I had to buy a battery about once a year before doing that. And if the bakkie didn't drive for 3 days the battery was flat. The charge isn't enough and it was also hovering at around 14 at idle before the change.

 

[Sinbad]

You need to have your voltage regulator replaced. 14 is fine for idling but it needs more the higher the engine revs as well as when items are switched on. I had a similar problem with my bakkie. Replaced the voltage regulator and my battery problems disappeared. I had to buy a battery about once a year before doing that. And if the bakkie didn't drive for 3 days the battery was flat. The charge isn't enough and it was also hovering at around 14 at idle before the change.

wut

The car does not need higher voltage.

13.8 is the normal charging voltage. 14.6 is a bit high - and I'm going to say that is because the internal resistance of the battery is too high (and that's because of a dead cell)

 

[Alton Turner Blackwood]

Sounds like a starter motor to me.

 

[Pitbull]

wut

The car does not need higher voltage.

13.8 is the normal charging voltage. 14.6 is a bit high - and I'm going to say that is because the internal resistance of the battery is too high (and that's because of a dead cell)

Wait you're right sorry. Anyway. The voltage regulator is shot either way.
It's killing his batteries. He needs to replace the voltage regulator and buy a new battery. Will never have a problem again. Think it's currently over charging with too much volts and it's killing cells on his battery. (I got a bit confused for a second.)

 

[Sinbad]

Wait you're right sorry. Anyway. The voltage regulator is shot either way.
It's killing his batteries. He needs to replace the voltage regulator and buy a new battery. Will never have a problem again. Think it's currently over charging with too much volts and it's killing cells on his battery. (I got a bit confused for a second.)

Nope, overvolt won't kill cells. Cells die on their own with age, or their demise is accelerated by being over-discharged.

 

[Colin62]

13.8 is the normal charging voltage. 14.6 is a bit high - and I'm going to say that is because the internal resistance of the battery is too high (and that's because of a dead cell)

13.8V is what the battery sits at when fully charged and not delivering any current. You need more than that to get it fully charged, and most cars' voltage regulators are set between 14.2V and 14.6V.

 

[Pitbull]

Nope, overvolt won't kill cells. Cells die on their own with age, or their demise is accelerated by being over-discharged.

So you saying it pushing more than 14 volts is not a regulator issue?

 

[Sinbad]

So you saying it pushing more than 14 volts is not a regulator issue?

Nope.

 

[Pitbull]

Nope.

Ok.

I know replacing mine worked like a charm.

 

[bromster]

UPDATE: Checked all earthing with my multimeter and it seems fine.

I Wanted to try a bigger battery but it wouldn't fit, so I tried my battery in another vehicle and it won't start. Seems like Midas sold me a lemon. Will take it to be tested and report back.

 

[Sinbad]

UPDATE: Checked all earthing with my multimeter and it seems fine.

I Wanted to try a bigger battery but it wouldn't fit, so I tried my battery in another vehicle and it won't start. Seems like Midas sold me a lemon. Will take it to be tested and report back.

NB, if the tester is connected to the battery with two very thin wires, it's a *** tester. You need it to be load tested, and a proper load tester can pull well over 100 amps off a battery. You can't do that with headphone cable.

 

[Archer]

NB, if the tester is connected to the battery with two very thin wires, it's a *** tester. You need it to be load tested, and a proper load tester can pull well over 100 amps off a battery. You can't do that with headphone cable.

Well, you could do it once...

 

[Sinbad]

Well, you could do it once...

Post on youtube

 

[Sinbad]

Well, you could do it once...

Post on youtube

 

[boxerulez]

Winter usually does kill weak batteries.

 

[bromster]

[video=youtube;i9jpwGTy66g]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9jpwGTy66g[/video]

 

[Sinbad]

Winter usually does kill weak batteries.

Low temperature reduces the capacity of the battery, and also makes the engine harder to start (higher viscosity in the oil, low fuel temperatures etc). So yeah it exposes a battery that's nearing the end.

 

[bromster]

Any recommendations for replacement? This was an exide from midas and has lasted 2 years and some change. (I must admit I didnt think it had been that long. Naturally, it is a few weeks out of warranty) My original Varta lasted 4 years no sweat

 

[Pitbull]

Any recommendations for replacement? This was an exide from midas and has lasted 2 years and some change. (I must admit I didnt think it had been that long. Naturally, it is a few weeks out of warranty) My original Varta lasted 4 years no sweat

Willard. ALWAYS!!!

 

[bromster]

Does anyone know where I can have the battery tested near Plumstead?