T6 battery issue

[tonycluedo]

I've had my 2019 t6 for 2 weeks now and have had starting issues which I put down to a flat battery. I took it to a garage who said the alternator wasn't charging the battery so they replaced the alternator. I got it back yesterday, did a few short journeys and I had issues starting it again, wouldn't auto start after stopping at lights. I thought maybe the battery wasn't fully charged yet so put it on charge overnight (10 hours) and it struggled to start this morning although did start once I turned off radio and fans.

Having had auto headlights on my cars for years, I did forget to switch the headlights to off last night but the lights don't stay on once I remove the key. Can this be draining the battery? Also, wouldn't the charging offset this drain?

I'm not convinced the alternator change has solved the issue. What do people think?

 

[Voodoo_Pirate]

Have you checked the starter battery voltage ? Sounds like the starter battery could need replacing?

Also are you sure the DRL’s are turning off when the ignition is off? I had an old van a couple of years ago without auto lights and forgot to turn them off and the headlights would turn off with ignition off but the DRL stayed running all night causing my battery to go flat.

If the overnight charge of the starter battery hasn’t helped maybe the battery isn’t holding charge, which is why the new alternator hasn’t helped.

Maybe get a multimeter on the starter battery and check its health or get it done at a garage/halfords.

 

[Dellmassive]

Post some pics is the starter battery and the connections.

Make sure you haven't got any cable connected to the battery NEG terminals..

Main engine bring step could be an issue.

Load to check. So let's look at the battery first.

And get some basic voltage reading.

 

[Dellmassive]

Thread 'Battery Monitoring -- How I Done It --'

22 Oct 2019

Battery Monitoring -- How I Done It --

Part #1

Battery monitoring is a very important part of your 12v system . . . . whether its just the vans starter battery or your leisure setup keeping an eye on the power in your battery bank will keep you from breaking down and make sure your weekends are not cut short from lack of power.

Battery monitoring is even more important with Lithium Lifepo4 batteries as the voltage stays fairly constant for 90% of the capacity.

first off lets look at a few basic 12v meters.

here a great little unit that I've been using for ages....

you can plug it...

• Dellmassive
• battery sensor dellmassive how to guide
• Replies: 333
• Forum: Electrics, Lighting, ICE, Security

• 

 

[tonycluedo]

Thanks for the responses everyone. I've been to kwik fit. They checked the battery and said it was good although they did say they expected more charge to be coming from the new alternator.

I took some readings with my multimeter. 13.33V with engine running. 12.7V with engine stopped.

I checked the light switch and with headlights switched to main beam and ignition off there are no lights on, not even DRLs.

I've also attached a picture of the battery

 

[Howzat]

Check if that battery is holding charge.

1. Charge with a charger or by driving. 12.7v is a good reading when charged.
2. Remove neg lead and leave overnight.
3. Check voltage the following morning. If dropped significantly then the battery will need replacing.

That's probably a 6 year old battery so fairly likely this will need changing especially if it's been run down recently and with cold mornings this is when bad batteries struggle.

 

[Dellmassive]

Thanks for the responses everyone. I've been to kwik fit. They checked the battery and said it was good although they did say they expected more charge to be coming from the new alternator.

I took some readings with my multimeter. 13.33V with engine running. 12.7V with engine stopped.

I checked the light switch and with headlights switched to main beam and ignition off there are no lights on, not even DRLs.

I've also attached a picture of the battery

View attachment 309146

That battery looks original?

They normal last for 3-5years.

For a 2019 van you are well over due a new replacement.

 

[Dellmassive]

Thread 'Upgrading Starter Battery - how to guide'

12 Jun 2019

My van (April 2017 T28) is fitted with a Moll battery.
I am experiencing some issues with it not starting after a few days sitting on the drive. Now this could be due to the tracker I have fitted draining it but I doubt it, I'll do some drain current tests before taking the plunge.
If I were to change the battery myself, could I replace it with a larger capacity one (eg a 95Ah 850A G14 Varta AGM which should just fit in the battery tray) instead of the standard 70Ah 700A Moll?
Is there anything I need to do to let the van know it has a different battery fitted? (I have VCDS if needed)

• Grim Reaper
• 3d0915105g battery coding how to guide moll varta vehicle battery
• Replies: 428
• Forum: Electrics, Lighting, ICE, Security

 

[ei-aprilia]

That battery looks original?

They normal last for 3-5years.

For a 2019 van you are well over due a new replacement.

What @Dellmassive said. That looks to be the original battery . My original battery lasted around 4 years before playing up.

 

[DXX]

I'm not convinced the alternator change has solved the issue. What do people think?

Go back to the garage and tell them they mis-diagnosed the defective alternator, are you sure they actually replaced it, it’s not a quick job due to access issues?
I would have a look and see if it looks like a new item.
As others have said the battery is at end of life, something the garage should have identified.

 

[DaveD]

When I had slower than usual cranking I didn't test anything - I knew the battery was at least 6 years old, possibly up to 8.
That's a good lifespan for a starter battery, so I just changed it myself, problem solved.

 

[Nickdaw]

Just changed my original battery (early 2016 nearly 10 year old) what a difference I didn't realise how knackered it was.

 

[tonycluedo]

Thanks everyone for the replies. Just to update. The old battery now seems to be charging ok off the new alternator. Even starting up ok on these cold mornings. It probably will need changing soon though as I appreciate it is probably near the end of its life.