The embarrassing bit WASN'T breaking down!

[simonkn8574]

Ok, to give the back story...

I sold a silver 1998 Subaru Imprezza Turbo 2000 to get the truck. Never let me down but had a few big bills on the horizon and at 38 I wasn't feeling the love of the 20-something boy racers in Weston-Super-Mare that always want to "have the old man in the Scooby"! My (younger) better half hated me for weeks afterwards..

Ok, so today after parking the Explorer up for about 20 mins we came back to it and it wouldn't start. The starter motor just "ticked" loudly and it lethargically turned over a couple of times. After attaching jumper cables it started straight away. It did exactly the same to me when I sorted the dashboard lights a couple of weeks ago. It's been run well since then and NEVER had problems starting. If you leave a load on the battery (lights on/phone charging) it appears to short something. The battery isn't discharged as it starts well and pulls strongly...I assume then the battery is charging well and the alternator is doing its job. So is the starter motor dicky? Or am I way off??

Anyway, the embarrassing bit..

the local hotel was manned by a chap who had cables and a car... What did he turn up in... yep, a sliver Subaru Imprezza! The O/H still won't let it lie...

Life eh??? Any thoughts on the problem?

SK

 

[janolsson]

I'd start with putting a meter on the battery engine off and engine on to see what the voltage is.
I would also be inspecting the battery earth lead and the pos cables. Then check the wiring for the starter motor. Could be a simple as a bad earth. could be and old batttery not holding full charge. Could be old alt not kicking out quite what it should or as you were thinkin could be old starter solenoid jamming. My money is on the battery!!

 

[simonkn8574]

i'd prefer it to be the battery... cost wise!
Was on my way out to put a meter on the battery when I got way-layed. Quick 2 minutes down the road. No probs at all starting. And it's snowing here so quite cold too. Gonna keep leads and power pack in car from now on!!!

Cheers Jan

SK

 

[simonkn8574]

Ok, checked the battery.. We're getting 11.3v - Engine off and 13.2v - Engine running. Interestingly I checked the battery on the stopped engine about 20 mins after running it, getting 11.3v. Checked the battery again after a run, similarly about 20 mins later and got a reading of 10.6v. Is something causing a drain or is the alternator not charging it i wonder? Will check it after a night sleep and see what I get!

Interesting issue.....

SK

 

[kevin p]

I would say your battery has had it. The readings show the alternator is charging [ should be 14+ volts though with engine running ].

 

[Sedition]

Your battery has 1 dead cell.

 

[simonkn8574]

Cheers for that... hoped it was the battery as its an easy fix...

I noted today that after yesterdays failure to start the sunroof did it's little thing where the button needed a double press to work. The user manual states it will do this after the battery has been disconnected. But the radio hasn't needed the code at all....
Ok, so anyone got a price/dealer for a battery??

Cheers everyone

SK

 

[janolsson]

I just bought one off an ebay seller and can't remember the make or seller but i paid around £60 delivered. After a quick look there are some good value bosch ones. I believe i have read of issues with the varta batteries tho can't remember where.
Also double check the position of the terminals before you order or buy as some motor factors have the wrong way around listed.
If you still have the motorcraft battery with the plastic cover be prepared for the one you buy to not allow the cover to be refitted and you may have to cobble something up to secure the battery as it will be smaller than the original motorcraft

 

[Sedition]

Wallyworld

Anything from Wal-mart with a similiar CCA (Cold Cranking Amp) rating, terminal position, and physical size should be cost effective and last you many years.

It's only a battery, there is not much to them. They are basically a plastic container filled with 35% Sulpheric acid and lead plates.

Oh and be sure to check your polarity prior to installing, a guy on here a few days ago had a friend install his battery. Long story short he installed it backwards and barbequed his entire electrical system.

 

[onetime]

Sounds like your battery has gone south, just an idea to save some money and take the piss out of halfrauds too. Get hold of battery charger borrow one to save money. Go to halfrauds and buy a battery for the ex and put it on make sure not to damage it. Charge yours over night and check the charge level if it holds put it back in the car. Take the halfrauds battery back and say it didn't fit get your cash back. that means you are not with out your ex for anytime and you may save some money too, if your doesn't hold buy one off online as they are loads cheaper wait for it to come then take the battery back to halfrauds the standard line is
"i brought it for my mums cars and it does fit this is the only time i have been able to bring it back"
don't leave it too long and clean up the connections too. I know its a bit dishonest but so are bankers and they bonuses for their dishonesty.
Onetime

 

[simonkn8574]

like it Mr!

Actually that got me thinking.... I HAVE a fast/trickle charger anyway... SO can I connect it up to the car overnight or should I remove the battery first?? Not sure with all the modern electronics if it'll damage anything?

Certainly saves unhooking the terminals and having to reconnect in the am! Lazy me - I know!

SK

 

[janolsson]

like it Mr!

Actually that got me thinking.... I HAVE a fast/trickle charger anyway... SO can I connect it up to the car overnight or should I remove the battery first?? Not sure with all the modern electronics if it'll damage anything?

Certainly saves unhooking the terminals and having to reconnect in the am! Lazy me - I know!

SK

You should be fine with a trickle charger and not disconnecting the battery from the car. But dependent on the charging rate of the charger a trickle charger should take 24 hrs to charge a battery.

Do a net search on how to test the cells on the battery with a meter. Can't remember how but it involves opening up the little discs on the top and measuring across the individual cells. If one comes up short it wll not hold charge as well.

 

[Sedition]

I sure as hell would not be charging that in my truck.

 

[onetime]

like it Mr!

Actually that got me thinking.... I HAVE a fast/trickle charger anyway... SO can I connect it up to the car overnight or should I remove the battery first?? Not sure with all the modern electronics if it'll damage anything?

Certainly saves unhooking the terminals and having to reconnect in the am! Lazy me - I know!

SK

It good pracice to take it out really, put it in a garage or something and leave it a while, if you can top it up with distilled water that may help too. I can remember my dad having to that alot along with putting the spark plugs on the electric ring on the cooker!! bet know does that anymore.

I did this with my last battery in a merc when it broke down in middle of no where(left radio on or light or something) tow truck took me to halfrauds got a battery put it on got me home then charged the old one put it back on took the other back to halfrauds got money back one for the little guy!!

 

[simonkn8574]

Yeah, think the "swap" is best... so do Halfrauds sell batteries for the Explorer? The 'battery chooser' finds nothing when I search online...

Any help would be good.. I found an Exide battery at £82 from EuroCarParts..

That's my best bet so far....

SK

 

[onetime]

go in and they will order one for you.