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Maxxed_Ross



Member Since: 06 Jun 2012
Location: Bathgate / North Sea
Posts: 340
Scotland 2001 Defender 90 Td5 CSW Cobar Blue
First the alternator went, now it's a struggle to start
Hi lads

a few weeks ago my alternator packed in. Luckily the fault was diagnosed fully before the engine stopped working so I was never stranded.

I changed the alternator without any issues and for a while everything was fantastic. I'm almost convinced that the engine was running better and quieter than it was before.

Now I have a new and rather strange issue with starting it. It's really slow to turn over and sometimes struggles to get going. the battery light hasn't come back on and it's not sitting around any more or less than it always has (I work offshore so it sits for 2 weeks at a time). I've had it sat on a CTEK charged overnight and had to jump start it twice.

The only time it's ever done this before was when I stopped putting Redex in the tank for a while. Last time I started using it again and the issue vanished totally. This time I've not changed my fuel habits so I'm a bit confused.

Would the alternator failing cause the battery to also fail? or on the other hand has fitting an up-rated 160A alternator fried it???

Any help greatly appreciated Very Happy
Post #334304 29th May 2014 6:34am
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K9F



Member Since: 12 Nov 2009
Location: Bournemouth
Posts: 9610
United Kingdom 2008 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Stornoway Grey
How old is the battery? Can you use/have access to a voltmeter to check battery condition and charging voltage? Are the terminals on your battery, starter motor and alternator clean, free from corrosion and tight? Alternator failing would take a toll on the battery and it's ability to hold a charge, more noticeable the older the battery is. If you go through life with your head in the sand....all people will see is an ar5e!!

Treat every day as if it is your last....one day you will be right!!
Post #334306 29th May 2014 6:44am
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Maxxed_Ross



Member Since: 06 Jun 2012
Location: Bathgate / North Sea
Posts: 340
Scotland 2001 Defender 90 Td5 CSW Cobar Blue
The battery was fitted by the previous owner so I've no idea how old it is, it looks newer than most I've had fitted Laughing

The terminals are all tight and clean, I checked the voltage after fitting the new alternator and it was over 14v (can't remember exactly)

Certainly sounds like it's the battery that's the problem Mad
Post #334322 29th May 2014 7:53am
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Lou Sparts



Member Since: 15 Apr 2012
Location: Kent
Posts: 1501
United Kingdom 2005 Defender 90 Td5 XS CSW Zambezi Silver
Might be worth checking the earth lead connection where it earths to the chassis or engine block. 2005 Td5 90 XS

Steve
Post #334328 29th May 2014 8:41am
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Martin
Site Admin


Member Since: 02 Apr 2007
Location: Hook Norton
Posts: 6638
United Kingdom 2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Montalcino Red
The battery warning light doesn't show when the battery is a problem. It is a warning that the battery is not charging (due to alternator issue).  1988 90 Td5 NAS soft top
2015 D90 XS SW
Post #334339 29th May 2014 9:37am
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Maxxed_Ross



Member Since: 06 Jun 2012
Location: Bathgate / North Sea
Posts: 340
Scotland 2001 Defender 90 Td5 CSW Cobar Blue
That's not very handy. I have a nice digital volt meter ready to fit, it just never made it in quite yet Laughing

Lou Sparts wrote:
Might be worth checking the earth lead connection where it earths to the chassis or engine block.


It runs fine once started, so that's what ruled out dodgy connections. I had a nearly broken earth on a previous car and it wasn't right when it was running either. I'll check all the same though Very Happy
Post #334347 29th May 2014 10:22am
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ARC99



Member Since: 19 Feb 2013
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 1831
United Kingdom 2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Cairns Blue
If it has been on charge overnight and you still needed to jump start it, it looks like the battery has had it. Don't make old people mad.
We don't like being old in the first place,
so it doesn't take much to Censored us off.

Richard
Post #334354 29th May 2014 10:55am
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Waldo



Member Since: 18 Jul 2010
Location: Bit South of Manchester
Posts: 240
United Kingdom 
Agreed if it's on charge it should start straight up no problems.
Do you have another vehicle you could borrow a battery out of to do a quick check? Defender 90 XS TD5 (03 Reg)
Post #334358 29th May 2014 10:59am
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Maxxed_Ross



Member Since: 06 Jun 2012
Location: Bathgate / North Sea
Posts: 340
Scotland 2001 Defender 90 Td5 CSW Cobar Blue
sorry I should have expanded on that slightly

I had to jump start it after being left for 2 weeks. It was then put on charge all night - and the battery still wasn't showing as fully charged on the CTEK. It started better but over the next few days it slowly got worse again. I was then away for 5 days and when I came back I had to jump start it again.

But yes, it sounds like the battery is shot Sad

So....


any recomendations for a replacement? I've had Optima Gel batteries fitted to the last couple of 90s but I dunno if I really need one these days based on the cost... I've only used the winch twice in 2 years Laughing
Post #334359 29th May 2014 11:00am
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Lou Sparts



Member Since: 15 Apr 2012
Location: Kent
Posts: 1501
United Kingdom 2005 Defender 90 Td5 XS CSW Zambezi Silver
I will replace mine with a Bosch or Varta when the time comes (still on original after 9 years). 2005 Td5 90 XS

Steve
Post #334376 29th May 2014 12:46pm
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110 John



Member Since: 11 Jan 2014
Location: Northumberland
Posts: 158
United Kingdom 2009 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Orkney Grey
Sounds very much like your battery is goosed and require a new one a Varta G7 is a good one to get
Post #338265 15th Jun 2014 4:31pm
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I.AM_a driver



Member Since: 11 Jun 2009
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
Posts: 404
Scotland 2002 Defender 90 Td5 CSW Oslo Blue
Agreed on the battery front, a standard battery will be more than adequate unless you do seriously long sustained winch recoveries, but I think that you should sell up & buy a veedub instead.... Rolling Eyes Mark S
CONVOY for HEROES
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Td5 90
Thread in 'My Defender' Forum
Post #338831 17th Jun 2014 8:07pm
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110 John



Member Since: 11 Jan 2014
Location: Northumberland
Posts: 158
United Kingdom 2009 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Orkney Grey
Hi Ross I work offshore also and had issues with my battery I put a new exide one on and when away I pull the 10 amp fuse for the clock/ radio / interior lights think its fuse 30 cured my battery drain when away
Post #338890 18th Jun 2014 3:04am
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Maxxed_Ross



Member Since: 06 Jun 2012
Location: Bathgate / North Sea
Posts: 340
Scotland 2001 Defender 90 Td5 CSW Cobar Blue
I think that might have had something to do with it

left it for a full day on the CTEK battery optimiser and now it's fine again Very Happy Suppose it didn't like sitting about while I was away
Post #339139 19th Jun 2014 7:59am
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