TemperaMENTAL VN

[juliancw]

Hey guys, Ive been surfing the forums to figure out the problem with my recently purchased VN but seem to be getting nowhere.

My VN hasnt got a flat battery, I tested it with a multi-meter and its fine it charges and holds charge. Ive tested the alternator and thats pushing out enough volts too.

But sometimes after going for a drive the car wont start, has all the typical signs of a flat battery......20 minutes later its fine again and starts. If I can be bothered waiting, I hook up a jump starter and it kicks over straight away.

At first I thought it was the starter motor, so I changed it with a brand new one but it hasnt helped.

Hoping someone else has gone through the same and/or can give me an idea on what my next move should be,

[m1lky]

I think one of the cells in the battery is probably dying. Would be worth changing it

[defecat0r]

my dad had a strange problem in his falcon similar to this, turned out being a dead cell in the battery, couldn't see it with multimeter so it defintately could be that.
Is the fuseable link wire in ok condition?

[juliancw]

The link seems fine but i may have to double check,

Ill take the battery down to the local auto elec on Friday and post the results just in case someone else with the same problem stumbles upon this. The battery was sitting in the car un-used for about a month before I charged it so this may of killed a cell....

[Circlotron]

Check the battery volts while the engine is actually cranking over. If it is going below about 10 volts you may have a sick battery.
Does the battery have a rotten egg smell after trying to start? The bad cell may be frothing away.

[bcw61]

Hey guys, Ive been surfing the forums to figure out the problem with my recently purchased VN but seem to be getting nowhere.

My VN hasnt got a flat battery, I tested it with a multi-meter and its fine it charges and holds charge. Ive tested the alternator and thats pushing out enough volts too.

But sometimes after going for a drive the car wont start, has all the typical signs of a flat battery......20 minutes later its fine again and starts. If I can be bothered waiting, I hook up a jump starter and it kicks over straight away.

At first I thought it was the starter motor, so I changed it with a brand new one but it hasnt helped.

Hoping someone else has gone through the same and/or can give me an idea on what my next move should be,

I think one of the cells in the battery is probably dying. Would be worth changing it

my dad had a strange problem in his falcon similar to this, turned out being a dead cell in the battery, couldn't see it with multimeter so it defintately could be that.

+1 for a dropped cell in the battery. Had this happen to me a couple of times in the past. Battery often checks out OK by simply measuring open circuit terminal voltage, but the fault becomes readily apparent under a load test. Sometimes a hydrometer test also picks up the fault.

[juliancw]

I got it tested at Repco and sure enough the battery was gone. As you guys said, it had a dead cell so my multi-meter was none the wiser.

I didnt get the chance to test the load while cranking but ill be sure to remember that for the future....would of saved me a lot of time instead of all the stuffing around i did!

[Rhys954]

The best way to check is getting it load tested and they usally break down under load we have that problem all the time at work best of luck

[Smallies]

Had the same problem. Wasn't the battery at all. It was the plug going into the coil packs. Remove it, clean it out with contact cleaner, put it back in nice and tight. Worth a try.