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Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2014 11:43 am |
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Joined: Oct 05, 2012 Posts: 367
Trade Rating: 0
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2005 1.6 HDI GTI
Hi,
If I leave it a week or two when I don't use the car, I have to jump start it as it doesn't seem to hold it's charge.
I jumped it last monday after being on holiday for 2 weeks. It lasted all week until this morning. I jumped it off of my GFs car and went to the tip and back again. That trip was around 12 miles.
I went to use it again about an 1hr later and it didnt start.
Is my battery or alternator toast or both?
cheers
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Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2014 11:54 am |
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Joined: Jan 29, 2011 Posts: 6526
Trade Rating: +10
Location: Westhoughton, Lancashire
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Take the battery off the car and give it a good overnight charge and see how it goes.
Once it's had a full charge, you can check to see if it's the battery not holding charge or the alternator not putting a charge back in.
To me it sounds like the battery is ready for replacement or something in the car is draining it when the engine is stopped.
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Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2014 3:49 am |
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Joined: Oct 05, 2012 Posts: 367
Trade Rating: 0
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I don't know if it's a coincidence but the horn has stopped working as well. How do I sort that?
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Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2014 1:23 am |
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Joined: Feb 10, 2010 Posts: 4266
Trade Rating: +4
Location: Palestine
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Well there is an easy way to check if your alternator is working right or not,if you have a voltmeter in hand,start the car,and check how much the reading is,if it's reading between 13.5V to 14.1V,then it's working great.
That leaves you with a faulty battery,but many factors related with the battery,as how old it's,and if there is a leakage somewhere,such as the headunit or lights,short wire can cause battery drain while it's not in use.
Give it a good charge,and see how things goes,keep us posted.
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Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2014 9:39 am |
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Joined: Oct 05, 2012 Posts: 367
Trade Rating: 0
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hi,
many thanks for your replies.
pretty sure its the battery but ive borrowed a multi meter from work so ill test that when i get home.
i dont own a battery charger but it had a 20 mile charge this morning so will see if it has any juice to start the car later when i finish work. Would i not get any warning lights or messages if it was the alternator?
cheers
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Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2014 10:49 am |
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Joined: Aug 04, 2011 Posts: 1343
Trade Rating: 0
Location: Swindon
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NOTE: You may have to lift the RPM just off idle to get the 13.5 - 14.1V. Not more than 1500rpm and hopefully less. If it is more than 1500rpm before you get the listed voltages then your alternator is suspect. When you do the test make sure you have headlights and heated rear screen on. You must do the test with the electrical system under load.
Head units are frequent offenders for flattening batteries. Some go into a "standby" setting unless you hold the off button for a few seconds to completely shut it down. That "standby" mode can be quite a drain.
How long have you had the car? Has it always done this or is it a new fault?
If you do need to change the battery before you disconnect it make sure you read the instructions on shutting down and restarting the BSI.
NOTE: A voltage measurement is NOT a good way to check a battery.
If you are unsure after the test get a trustworthy garage to do a "drop" or "load" test on the battery. Drop and load test is the same thing by a different name and most garages will do this for free.
I don't know if the HDi is the same as other cars wiring but it be worth cleaning the battery earth connection on the gearbox as this is a common issue; though it doesn't sound like your problem it is free if you can DIY.
Horn stopped working does sound suspicious but if you aren't very competent with a multimeter and understand electrics you will struggle to test and prove that this is related.
Another test for battery drain is to learn how to shut down and restart the BSI and then disconnect the battery for several days. Reconnect, restart BSI and see if the car starts. If it does it is probably not the battery at fault but a drain.
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| Morris 1000, Austin 1100, Escort Mk2, Fiat Mirafiori, Alfa 33, Alfa GT Junior, Alfasud, Alfetta GTV (2x), Alfa 164 3.0 V6, Alfa 164 2.0, Alfa 75 V6, Alfa 156 2.4 (diesel remapped 200bhp), Alfa 147 GTA (3.6 295bhp), Alfa 159 (diesel remapped 245bhp 300ft.lbs @ 2500rpm)
Why isn't my daughter an Alfaholic? | |
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Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2014 3:32 pm |
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Joined: Oct 05, 2012 Posts: 367
Trade Rating: 0
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The battery volt test gave 14.2 with the electrical system under load.
I'm not in a position to shut the car down for several days I'm afraid as I have to go to work.
It's a new fault over the last few months and now it's at it's worse.
I hate electrical faults and I don't understand them lol
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Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2014 2:25 am |
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Joined: Oct 05, 2012 Posts: 367
Trade Rating: 0
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Got to work this morning after jumping it off my GFs car at 6.45am.
It was running for an hour due to traffic, go to work, switched off, then attempted to start again and nothing. Like it hadn't even been running!
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Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2014 3:14 am |
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Joined: Feb 08, 2010 Posts: 10151
Trade Rating: +12
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quick clear it is due to a dead battery
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Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2014 6:14 am |
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Joined: Oct 05, 2012 Posts: 367
Trade Rating: 0
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You don't think it's related to the horn then?
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Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2014 7:12 am |
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Joined: Oct 05, 2012 Posts: 367
Trade Rating: 0
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Just tested for a bad earth and no sign.
Will buy a new battery tonight.
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Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2014 10:18 am |
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Joined: May 16, 2011 Posts: 495
Trade Rating: +1
Location: huddersfield
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Fuse no 13, 15 Amp for the horn. my206xr.blogspot.com.a...%20Systems
If fuse is ok, it is a common fault on the horn connector wires to corrode.
How old is the battery, how many miles done with battery, these are indicators to take into account when replacing a battery, meaning if the battery is old you have lost nothing by replacing it.
Consider also diesel engines take a lot of power from the battery when cranking up.
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| 206 2ltr Hdi glx 53 plate | |
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Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2014 10:35 am |
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Joined: Oct 05, 2012 Posts: 367
Trade Rating: 0
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I've covered 36000 in exactly 2 years.
I'm not sure when the battery was last changed.
Thanks for the fuse link, been looking for that!
Whereabouts is the horn actually located?
Cheers
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Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2014 12:52 pm |
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Joined: Apr 14, 2010 Posts: 713
Trade Rating: +2
Location: Gothenburg, Sweden
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206HdiGti wrote: |
Whereabouts is the horn actually located?
Cheers |
Behind bumper/grill, a bit to the left as you stand in front of the car facing it.
Might be able to spot it if you peek through the grille
'Nother pic
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| Silvermetallic 2004 206 RC | |
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Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2014 2:10 pm |
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Joined: Oct 05, 2012 Posts: 367
Trade Rating: 0
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Battery changed and it's sorted. Starts up so much better!!
Will try to find horn tomorrow night. Thanks for all your help and replies!!
Best regards,
Alex
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