Pete_UK99

My car was in a garage for a respray. It was there for about 3 weeks so I guess in that time they'd had the battery disconnected. Since I've got it back it works fine but every time I go to start it the alarm will sound briefly before it springs into life. The alternator seems to struggle to get the car going as well. It's a my01 and I've had it since new so I'm wondering if my battery needs changing or maybe the alternator. Does anyone know what these symptons mean?

Cheers in advance


peter

messiah

Had this on my classic and it was the battery on its way out. Have you been on a good drive since to get it fully charged?

FB Tuning

iTrader: (30)

The easiest way to test if the alternator is charging the battery correctly is to put a multimeter ( set to Volts DC ) across the +ve and -ve terminals of the battery, whilst the engine is running with the lights on.

If you get a reading of approx. 13 to 14 volts you can safely assume that the alternator is charging, but the battery is dead and not holding the charge.

Richard

Pete_UK99

Hey thanks for the replies guys. I'll have to get my self a multimeter and test that. I have a feeling it's the battery as a few months ago the light was left on and so the batter died. I got it started using crocidile clips and after that went for a few long drives to Brighton and places of that distances from London so it should of had enough charge. And yet it still seemd to have problems with the alarm and alternator.

doppelganger

this is the best way and most accurate imho £25 from argos or there abouts
http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/st...o.x=19&go.y=10

teknobod

Or even this one:-



only 4.99 at Maplins here:-

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?...ldID=&doy=24m1

Others available too!!

Andy

Rokay

Brought mine in a Maplins sale. £1.99

Midget

Checking the voltage output is not necessarily a clear indication of a fault
some Subaru models ( not too sure about 01 MY ) are equipped with an intelligent system where no output is emitted from the alternator at idle if the battery does not require charging . Got caught out on a 02 MY STi !