Jamesy Posted July 19, 2010 Share Posted July 19, 2010 Can anyone advise ..... Got a fiesta here that keeps getting a flat battery in the morning for past 3 days. If i drive it around and stop and start throughout day its fine. Soon as its left overnight its flat. I jump started it last night, let it run for 10mins and turned it off. Tried to start this morning and flat again. Any ideas if its the battery itself or alternator? Cant think it being anything else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swampy442 Posted July 19, 2010 Share Posted July 19, 2010 Get it started, get a multimeter and put it across the battery terminals. If its showing 12-14 volts its the battery, any less and its the alternator/something else Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
movistar Posted July 19, 2010 Share Posted July 19, 2010 Sounds like the battery has a dead cell....do like swampy says and use a multimeter on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesy Posted July 19, 2010 Author Share Posted July 19, 2010 cheers guys - now to find a multimeter lol how much "should" the battery be reading when its running Craig? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Blyth Posted July 19, 2010 Share Posted July 19, 2010 You could have a load that's drawing current when it shouldn't be. Try taking one of the battery terminals off and then taking a current measurement with the engine off / doors locked. You do this by selecting current measurement on your meter then connecting one meter lead to the unconnected battery terminal and the other to the cable that normally goes to the terminal. You shouldn't see any more than 5 to 10 milliamps. If you're getting a much higher reading, you can start to narrow down where the leakage is by removing fuses 1 at a time. When the current drops, the last fuse you removed indicates the faulty circuit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swampy442 Posted July 19, 2010 Share Posted July 19, 2010 Should be around 14V if the alternator is charging it properly mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesy Posted July 19, 2010 Author Share Posted July 19, 2010 thanx for the info. i was kinda hoping to could just whack a new battery on but sounds more involved. cheers mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
movistar Posted July 19, 2010 Share Posted July 19, 2010 my tip is start simple....then worry if it gets more complicated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesy Posted July 19, 2010 Author Share Posted July 19, 2010 i like that idea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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