Cannot start - battery at 11.3V...

[Chris-W]

Just tried starting the Bongo after a couple of weeks in the drive, just a faint click from the starter motor. Lights are dim.

Ignition Off MB 11.3V
Ignition Off LB 12.5V

Is that not enough to turn the starter motor? jeez I only need one compression !

[mikeWalsall]

If your battery is OK, then it definatley needs charging .. or use a 'slave' and jump leads ..

[g8dhe]

Its not the voltage of the battery when the ignition is off that is critical, however that is at the low end of the range, turn the ignition switch on and see what the voltage falls to with just a small load (not to starting position) of just lights etc. if its below 11v then yes the battery needs a charge as a minimum.

[Chris-W]

Its not the voltage of the battery when the ignition is off that is critical, however that is at the low end of the range, turn the ignition switch on and see what the voltage falls to with just a small load (not to starting position) of just lights etc. if its below 11v then yes the battery needs a charge as a minimum.

...with headlights on it went down to 7V, about a minute later it was 6V....

[g8dhe]

Yup that is flat! A charge might be enough to get it back, but that will need a good 48hours on a good charger capable of delivering 8+ Amps as a minimum, has it not been used for a while or only short runs ? Is it petrol or diesel ?

[francophile1947]

Anything below 12v is flat, especially in cold weather. Charge the battery up and get it drop-tested - you may need a new one.

[Chris-W]

Anything below 12v is flat, especially in cold weather. Charge the battery up and get it drop-tested - you may need a new one.

Drop tested, like drop it in the bin?

[g8dhe]

No its called a drop test as it measures the voltage drop of the battery on load, its basically a voltmeter with a large current load that you put across the terminals of a battery, if the voltage is less than the recommended value than it shows that the battery is faulty, for lead acid starter batteries then anything less than 11volts on load is definitely cause for concern.

[francophile1947]

Anything below 12v is flat, especially in cold weather. Charge the battery up and get it drop-tested - you may need a new one.

Drop tested, like drop it in the bin?

That might be the end result but I was referring to this http://www.aa1car.com/library/voltage_drop_testing.htm

[Chris-W]

Thanks for the replies so far. To be honest, I'll just get a new battery, the one in there is puny anyway.

Yup that is flat! A charge might be enough to get it back, but that will need a good 48hours on a good charger capable of delivering 8+ Amps as a minimum, has it not been used for a while or only short runs ? Is it petrol or diesel ?

It gets a mixture of short and long runs, it's diesel and it hasn't been started since just before Christmas.

[Simon Jones]

My recommendation: http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/p/acces ... 0&cc5_1013

Under £80 using promo code 'all20' inc free delivery (none in stock in Salisbury branch). Very popular choice as it will fit all Bongo types and has 4 year warranty.

[Chris-W]

My recommendation: http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/p/acces ... 0&cc5_1013

Under £80 using promo code 'all20' inc free delivery (none in stock in Salisbury branch). Very popular choice as it will fit all Bongo types and has 4 year warranty.

That's exactly the one I had my eye on mate, thanks for the code as well, makes up for having to go to Southampton.

All fitted now, except I just found the broken negative battery connection. Bongo starts, will report later.

By the way, I bought some mega hi-power headlamp bulbs from Ebay, like £5 a pair or something. One of them just blew after about 5 hours use. I suppose you get what you pay for, as always.

[johnzbenson]

BAttery should sit at 12.25 volts with lights on for around fifteen to 30 mins if fully charged (without engine running.)
with engine running voltage should be between 13.8 and 14.4 volts if charging healthily. it does take ten to fiftenn minutes to replenish the battery after starting- even longer if you have lights on heated screen etc

[Diplomat]

Even if it is a good battery it's not a good idea to leave it uncharged for too long. Kiss of death for lead acid batteries, especially in cold weather.

My diagnosis from a distance is that you probably have one sick cell in the battery, unless you have a car radio which is thirsty when switched off. I would expect to be able to start first go even when I've been away for a month.

Frank