High pitched whine and flat battery - Page 2

Rudder · 29th October 2013, 21:05

Where is the best place to get a recon alternator? Don't really fancy taking a chance on an ebay one.

SD1too · 30th October 2013, 07:03

A motor factor; preferably a local independent, but if you prefer dealing with large corporations try Euro Car Parts or Halfords.

Simon

Rudder · 30th October 2013, 08:50

Got the battery charged and connected it last night and started fine.

Tried to start it this morning and it was dead. Could something be draining the battery that much to kill it...or is the battery loosing its charge?

Mike Noc · 30th October 2013, 08:56

Are you sure the battery is fully charged? You can always charge it then leave it disconnected overnight as a test.

SD1too · 30th October 2013, 08:57

Craig,

For how long did you leave it on charge? If it was 'flat' then you need at least 24 hours, preferably 36.

You can check for current drain with a multimeter.

Simon

Rudder · 30th October 2013, 12:47

The battery was charged for about 8 hours on an industrial sized machine.

Checked the voltage across the battery just now and its reading 9.2v. Also when I put the battery back in the car it made a sort of hissing sound.

HarryM1BYT · 30th October 2013, 13:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rudder

Could the relay in the towbar have caused this by draining the battery and it being too empty to charge, or am I looking at a battery/alternator fault with something else draining it!?

It was me that found this issue, so maybe I ought to respond to this...

The relay issue will not affect a car which is used regularly, it would only prove to be an issue if the car is parked up for long periods.

HarryM1BYT · 30th October 2013, 13:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rudder

The battery was charged for about 8 hours on an industrial sized machine.

Checked the voltage across the battery just now and its reading 9.2v. Also when I put the battery back in the car it made a sort of hissing sound.

You need a new battery! The hissing noise, will be the noise from the good cells which are being overcharged and gassing, due to some cells (the 9.2v like two) which are shorted internally - hence the low voltage.

A good battery at rest, should read 12.8v +. If the alternator is OK, with the engine running, it should read around 14.1 to 14.5v across a good battery, but with a failing battery it could be much less.

Rudder · 30th October 2013, 14:38

I drive less than a mile to work 5 days a week and very rarely drive more than 20 miles in one go, which I imagine won't help the car much.

HarryM1BYT · 30th October 2013, 17:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rudder

I drive less than a mile to work 5 days a week and very rarely drive more than 20 miles in one go, which I imagine won't help the car much.

That is not far enough, to put back in the battery what is taken out of it in starting it and it will not do the engine any favors. A bicycle would me more suitable.

There is a common problem of the satnav failing to shut itself down, if it or the wheel well suffers water ingress. Check the wheel well.

30th October 2013, 07:03	#12
SD1too Doesn't do things by halves Rover 75 2.5 Connoisseur Auto (1999) Dealer launch model. Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Former Middlesex Posts: 20,411 Thanks: 1,587 Thanked 3,749 Times in 3,181 Posts	A motor factor; preferably a local independent, but if you prefer dealing with large corporations try Euro Car Parts or Halfords. Simon __________________ "Whatever is rightly done, however humble, is noble." Sir Henry Royce.

30th October 2013, 08:57	#15
SD1too Doesn't do things by halves Rover 75 2.5 Connoisseur Auto (1999) Dealer launch model. Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Former Middlesex Posts: 20,411 Thanks: 1,587 Thanked 3,749 Times in 3,181 Posts	Craig, For how long did you leave it on charge? If it was 'flat' then you need at least 24 hours, preferably 36. You can check for current drain with a multimeter. Simon __________________ "Whatever is rightly done, however humble, is noble." Sir Henry Royce.

29th October 2013, 21:05	#11
Rudder Regular poster Rover 75 Tourer 1.8T Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Chichester Posts: 60 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Where is the best place to get a recon alternator? Don't really fancy taking a chance on an ebay one.

30th October 2013, 08:50	#13
Rudder Regular poster Rover 75 Tourer 1.8T Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Chichester Posts: 60 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Got the battery charged and connected it last night and started fine. Tried to start it this morning and it was dead. Could something be draining the battery that much to kill it...or is the battery loosing its charge?

30th October 2013, 08:56	#14
Mike Noc This is my second home Rover 75 CDT Manual Connoisseur SE, Rover 75 CDT Automatic Connoisseur SE & a Freelander Td4. Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Hampshire Posts: 11,557 Thanks: 3,470 Thanked 3,119 Times in 2,247 Posts	Are you sure the battery is fully charged? You can always charge it then leave it disconnected overnight as a test.

30th October 2013, 12:47	#16
Rudder Regular poster Rover 75 Tourer 1.8T Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Chichester Posts: 60 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	The battery was charged for about 8 hours on an industrial sized machine. Checked the voltage across the battery just now and its reading 9.2v. Also when I put the battery back in the car it made a sort of hissing sound.

30th October 2013, 14:38	#19
Rudder Regular poster Rover 75 Tourer 1.8T Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Chichester Posts: 60 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I drive less than a mile to work 5 days a week and very rarely drive more than 20 miles in one go, which I imagine won't help the car much.