Battery connection error

Stevie Boy · 5th December 2018, 15:46

Had my Connoisseur SE CDTi about 10 days. Been driving it with no issues until yesterday. On the way home from work got a battery connection error message. Today drove it fine to work but on the way home got the same message but this time the abs light and air bag lights were illuminated on the dash board. Stereo started skipping too.

Got it on the drive and switched the engine off. Now wont start.. Just makes a clicking noise. On the ad (bought it on these forums) it said car had a new bosh battery this year. Does this just sound like it needs a new battery? Im not technical and have no way of taking it out and testing/charging it. If it is just in need of a new battery i can get the AA out to jump it and i can just drive out to get a new one fitted.

Thanks.

RoverP480 · 5th December 2018, 16:28

If you have AA homestart it may be worth getting them out to check all the battery connections and earth points first & if it had a new battery & its failed it will be still under warranty..

stevestrat · 5th December 2018, 16:50

I'd check the battery connections first. The battery posts aren't straight, they're conical. Loosen the connectors, clean them and the battery posts with wire wool or wet/dry, tap the connectors right down with a rubber mallet or similar then tighten them.

COLVERT · 5th December 2018, 19:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevestrat

I'd check the battery connections first. The battery posts aren't straight, they're conical. Loosen the connectors, clean them and the battery posts with wire wool or wet/dry, tap the connectors right down with a rubber mallet or similar then tighten them.

So, so sorry to disagree with you but as an erstwhile battery tech never, never hit the connectors to get good contact. You can crack the plastic top cover and get acid all over the place.

Push the connector down gently and pivot it backwards and forwards a few degrees. Very little movement is required. This will mate the two connecting surfaces together.

Always mate gently for optimum results.--

---being too fierce can cause damage.----

COLVERT · 5th December 2018, 19:23

Stevie boy.

Get that multimeter.---It will take you less than 5 seconds to check your battery and alternator output.

Yes. Less than 5 seconds.---

If you want to know more, ask away.----

COLVERT · 5th December 2018, 19:34

It definitely isn't Rocket Science. Take it from someone who had a hand in the design of this before I retired.---

stevestrat · 6th December 2018, 09:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by COLVERT

So, so sorry to disagree with you but as an erstwhile battery tech never, never hit the connectors to get good contact. You can crack the plastic top cover and get acid all over the place.

That's why I said tap the connectors with a rubber mallet not smack them with a lump hammer!

Stevie Boy · 9th December 2018, 11:35

Charged battery and took it it to Halfords. They tested it. Battery is good. They said its definitely alternator and quoted me £620 to change it. Had this car 2 weeks...

Im in Derby. Any recommendedations where to take it?

macafee2 · 9th December 2018, 12:24

Have you done as post 16?

macafee2

Stevie Boy · 5th December 2018, 18:07

Thanks for the replies. As I've said im not technical so wouldn't know how to check the alternator. Nightmare, so much for a cheap car..

5th December 2018, 15:46	#1
Stevie Boy Regular poster Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Derby Posts: 96 Thanks: 26 Thanked 33 Times in 11 Posts	Battery connection error Had my Connoisseur SE CDTi about 10 days. Been driving it with no issues until yesterday. On the way home from work got a battery connection error message. Today drove it fine to work but on the way home got the same message but this time the abs light and air bag lights were illuminated on the dash board. Stereo started skipping too. Got it on the drive and switched the engine off. Now wont start.. Just makes a clicking noise. On the ad (bought it on these forums) it said car had a new bosh battery this year. Does this just sound like it needs a new battery? Im not technical and have no way of taking it out and testing/charging it. If it is just in need of a new battery i can get the AA out to jump it and i can just drive out to get a new one fitted. Thanks.

5th December 2018, 16:50	#3
stevestrat This is my second home ZT260 #243 (resting) Join Date: May 2010 Location: Prestonpans Posts: 22,484 Thanks: 650 Thanked 4,624 Times in 3,358 Posts	I'd check the battery connections first. The battery posts aren't straight, they're conical. Loosen the connectors, clean them and the battery posts with wire wool or wet/dry, tap the connectors right down with a rubber mallet or similar then tighten them. __________________ Steve T4 Location Map

5th December 2018, 16:28	#2
RoverP480 Gets stuck in None at the moment Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Hereford Posts: 501 Thanks: 1 Thanked 165 Times in 146 Posts	If you have AA homestart it may be worth getting them out to check all the battery connections and earth points first & if it had a new battery & its failed it will be still under warranty..

5th December 2018, 19:23	#5
COLVERT This is my second home R75 Saloon. Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: France/or Devon. Posts: 14,003 Thanks: 3,851 Thanked 2,167 Times in 1,816 Posts	Stevie boy. Get that multimeter.---It will take you less than 5 seconds to check your battery and alternator output. Yes. Less than 5 seconds.--- If you want to know more, ask away.----

5th December 2018, 19:34	#6
COLVERT This is my second home R75 Saloon. Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: France/or Devon. Posts: 14,003 Thanks: 3,851 Thanked 2,167 Times in 1,816 Posts	It definitely isn't Rocket Science. Take it from someone who had a hand in the design of this before I retired.---

9th December 2018, 11:35	#8
Stevie Boy Regular poster Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Derby Posts: 96 Thanks: 26 Thanked 33 Times in 11 Posts	Charged battery and took it it to Halfords. They tested it. Battery is good. They said its definitely alternator and quoted me £620 to change it. Had this car 2 weeks... Im in Derby. Any recommendedations where to take it?

9th December 2018, 12:24	#9
macafee2 This is my second home Rover 75 Saloon & Tourer Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Lincoln Posts: 14,929 Thanks: 1,630 Thanked 3,032 Times in 2,181 Posts	Have you done as post 16? macafee2

5th December 2018, 18:07	#10
Stevie Boy Regular poster Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Derby Posts: 96 Thanks: 26 Thanked 33 Times in 11 Posts	Thanks for the replies. As I've said im not technical so wouldn't know how to check the alternator. Nightmare, so much for a cheap car..