poor power level on starting - Automotive Wiring and Electrical


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poor power level on starting

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Auto Repair Home>> Automotive Repair>> Automotive Wiring and Electrical

daveo56
New User

Jun 9, 2012, 9:15 AM

Post #1 of 3 (1956 views)

poor power level on starting	Sign In

Hi all I'm new around here, its been some years since I needed to do my own running repair, I'm a bit rusty and need advice so
the vehicle
1997 ford fiesta van 1.8 litre dcat
Firstly I will point out that the battery is almost new heavy duty about three months old

A couple of days ago I started to experience the lack of battery power on start up and assumed initially to be caused by overnight drainage
so last night I did some research and racked this old brain of mine to remember what we used to do.
This morning I went out to the van,lifted the bonnet and did a meter reading across the battery terminals ( I understand that a fully charged battery will offer a reading of around 12.68v) my reading was 12.87v which indicated a full charge, however when I went to start up it did start but reluctantly with that low battery feel.
With the engine running I repeated the test to check the alternator charge ( again I understand this should produce between 13.8v and 14.8v ) my reading was a healthy 14.24v
I then switched to AC and checked again my with my meter in ac mode and the probes attached if there is a voltage present it would normally flash 0.00 a couple of times and then show a fixed reading however in this case it simply fluctuated around and after a period of time settled at 0.042 I don't think this reading was true and as such don't think it is the diodes in the alternator that are the problem.
Now with all the above said I then had to go out to take my son by the time I got back I had done a 43 mile non stop round trip
now at this point bearing in mind that we know we are getting a charge to the battery
and after a 40+ mile trip it goes without saying that the battery should now be fully charged regardless, but NO I turned the engine off and then went to restart only to find that I still had that low battery feel.
So I went in had a cuppa and started to think more in line of the starter motor, went back out lifted the bonnet and did the battery test again and still got a good reading around 12.8v then went to start the engine, turned on the ignition the dash light came on the heater plug light came on then off I turned the key and nothing, zilch, zero not even a click from the selenoid.
So guys after all that speal the question is can I now confidently rule out alternator problems and am I now looking at what is now completely failed starter or am I missing something else?
any advice on this would be greatly appreciated
thank you all in anticipation
Dave

Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Jun 9, 2012, 9:30 AM

Post #2 of 3 (1946 views)

Re: poor power level on starting	Sign In

Have the battery and then the charging system tested.

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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.

Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Jun 9, 2012, 9:47 AM

Post #3 of 3 (1920 views)

Re: poor power level on starting	Sign In

With connections of battery cables known clean and good at both ends - two positive cables if this has an in line solenoid then I suspect either starter is plain drawing too much current or battery new or not can't supply the amps needed.

Voltage alone is a clue but doesn't tell of the power of the battery or if it can reach destination with full power. Grounds every count too and must be good.

Battery can be tested for ability to sustain a load like the starter. Amps is the power volts means just the push in not high tech speak.

If equipment not so available you can watch volts when trying to start it. The voltage drop may go way down for just cranking time. That or if it will take a jump start (portable jumper box better/safer than another vehicle) than battery just can't deliver the amps,

T

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