Battery problem?

larax

larax

A2OC Donor
Hi all,


I come across an weird problem today on Bosco.

From work I stopped to do a quick shopping and actually it was very quick only like 10 mins.
When I got back in the car it couldn't start. I tried a several times but nothing happened. Funny thing that every other electrical was working just fine such as lights, radio etc.
So I had to call AA. Once the guy came asked me to turn it on and it started.. I don't have to say how I felt.
He escorted me home and now everything looks fine. Never had this problem and I don't want to have it again because it was a bit embarrassing for me.
The guy couldn't tell me anything as there was nothing to fix.

Is anyone had this issue before?
Any idea what could it be?
I have no VCD-s scanner to check it.

The battery voltage now around 11.5 - 12.3
Usually it is a bit higher.

I have a VARTA battery from Tanya. I bought it in October.

Thanks for any help!
 
larax said:
Hi all,


I come across an weird problem today on Bosco.

From work I stopped to do a quick shopping and actually it was very quick only like 10 mins.
When I got back in the car it couldn't start. I tried a several times but nothing happened. Funny thing that every other electrical was working just fine such as lights, radio etc.
So I had to call AA. Once the guy came asked me to turn it on and it started.. I don't have to say how I felt.
He escorted me home and now everything looks fine. Never had this problem and I don't want to have it again because it was a bit embarrassing for me.
The guy couldn't tell me anything as there was nothing to fix.

Is anyone had this issue before?
Any idea what could it be?
I have no VCD-s scanner to check it.

The battery voltage now around 11.5 - 12.3
Usually it is a bit higher.

I have a VARTA battery from Tanya. I bought it in October.

Thanks for any help!
Click to expand...

11.5 is a sign of an unhealthy battery that’s quite low


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I just checked I bought it in 5th December. Is it normal that not 5 month old battery do this?
 
larax said:
I just checked I bought it in 5th December. Is it normal that not 5 month old battery do this?
Click to expand...
Hi Larax, Sounds like a doggy earth under the passenger headlight this is the common fault related to non starting issues ( a quick google search for a2oc starting issues) should bring it up.
Carry a jump lead in the boot if it happens again touch the lead to a good earth point & starter casing should prove it, it normally fractures inside the insulation.
Hth
Keith
 
Last edited:
Quite agree that the usual bad starter motor earth is the first suspect but the low battery voltage may also indicate poor charging of the battery. If the battery was replaced so recently there was presumably a reason related to poor voltage.
This could be due to an alternator issue rather than the battery. You do not say whether it is a TDI or Petrol. If TDI the first suspect is the freewheel clutch on the alternator.
 
It is a 1.4 Petrol.

I was doing some search about this on the site but mine started running after 30 mins so I didn't assume any special problem.

I possibly can check the earth cable but I don't know cars that much. Probably will come back for more help if needed.
 
Sootywg said:
Quite agree that the usual bad starter motor earth is the first suspect but the low battery voltage may also indicate poor charging of the battery. If the battery was replaced so recently there was presumably a reason related to poor voltage.
This could be due to an alternator issue rather than the battery. You do not say whether it is a TDI or Petrol. If TDI the first suspect is the freewheel clutch on the alternator.
Click to expand...

I believe if that earth is bad it also affects the charging of the battery


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
It just happened again..

This time even 30 mins wait wouldn't help me. We tried jump start and bump start the car. T lad even tried to use a hammer and some weird tool like a long screwdriver but didn't help. Lastly he tried a jump start again and it worked. I got home but I know for sure it will happen agian.

He said it's gonna be the starter motor.
How much would it cost to fix it with a mechanic?

Tomorrow I will have time to properly clean the earth cable under the headlight.

Whats funny is the car sitting nearly 18 hours without touching it and I can go to work but when it sits 6 hours at my workplace it wont start..

Would a starter motor replacement help?
 
larax said:
It just happened again..

This time even 30 mins wait wouldn't help me. We tried jump start and bump start the car. T lad even tried to use a hammer and some weird tool like a long screwdriver but didn't help. Lastly he tried a jump start again and it worked. I got home but I know for sure it will happen agian.

He said it's gonna be the starter motor.
How much would it cost to fix it with a mechanic?

Tomorrow I will have time to properly clean the earth cable under the headlight.

Whats funny is the car sitting nearly 18 hours without touching it and I can go to work but when it sits 6 hours at my workplace it wont start..

Would a starter motor replacement help?
Click to expand...
Please try an earth lead first, you dont even have to clean the existing one, just put another one in so long as you get to good earth. I am sure it will fix your problem and it might only cost you a few quid.
 
in9999 said:
Please try an earth lead first, you dont even have to clean the existing one, just put another one in so long as you get to good earth. I am sure it will fix your problem and it might only cost you a few quid.
Click to expand...
What I'm exactly looking for? Is this an "earth ground negative starter motor battery cable"?
And where exactly should come from and where I have to attache it?

Sorry but I'm not really a car guy.
 
The earth in the engine bay joins the starter to the chassis below the left headlight. It is partially hidden and just about visible if you look down the side of the ABS pump. It is actually easier to just leave that one alone and fit a second earth on the other side of the engine. I bolted one between one of the Webasto mounting points and the engine mount. I believe all shells have the mounting points regardless if petrol or diesel. The other earth is between the battery negative terminal and the chassis rail just in front of the left rear wheel. Check the battery has enough fluid in it and not low or dry.
 
If you have jumper cables you could test this idea with one of these but you’d need to get stuck again.

Assuming it won’t start clamp the cable to the points described by Audifan and then try again. If it starts then it’s an earth problem.

I added the second earth to mine and it really seemed to help starting.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
larax said:
What I'm exactly looking for? Is this an "earth ground negative starter motor battery cable"?
And where exactly should come from and where I have to attach it?
Click to expand...

This thread should answer pretty much all your questions:

1.4 TDI none start...starshine

Howdy folks Having owned my A2 for 3 weeks and been on the road for 1 week today it tried for a threw moments to crank then nothing! Tested battery, all ok! Got out our other car, connected heavy duty jump leads with donor running, still no cranking! All other electrics fine but battery light...
www.a2oc.net

You can easily buy a supplementary earth lead from Halfords or pretty much any other motor factor, and it's not expensive.
 
I managed to get an extra earth lead cable from Halfords I put in but nothing. Charged the battery but nothing.
Thursday morning I got the 3rd time a guy from AA to do the magic but only bump start help my car so decided to take it to the local garage since it was too big of a job for me.
They put a new starter motor in. Cost me £249.
Now Bosco starts as never before. Just a second as I turn the key he already has better sound.
To be honest I always found it weak and struggling the noise when I turned it on.

Now I like what I hear.

Thanks for the new earth cable I have better voltage in my car.

Thanks for all the help and input!
Much appreciate everything!
 
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