big problem - no start and electrical problem

[FarmerPug]

theres an earthing point in the underbonnet fuse box.

[Doggy]

i know but 13.5 seems high

maybe wrong tho

Fully charged is 2.2 V / cell, or 13.2 V. Fully discharged is 1.9 Vpc / 11.4 V.


I agree, Lurch's problem sounds like a faulty battery or a bad connection in one of the main power cables. For safety's sake I would be tempted to try another battery as soon as you can.

When you saw the smoke, was there any hint of an acid smell?

[Welly]

Has the battery leads got those quick-release standard fittings? if not someone may have bodged some other fittings on and they've become corroded (possibly only a small part of the cable is in contact and is 'arcing' out sometimes).

Other than that check this connection box under the battery - it's probably corroded.

[Gary406]

on the D8 the main earth point is under the battery tray /

might be worth checking there on yours as well if its in the same place

[no2lurch]

When you saw the smoke, was there any hint of an acid smell?

no sign of smell, but i didnt go near it really.

getting a new battery today to try over the weekend.

[no2lurch]

Has the battery leads got those quick-release standard fittings? if not someone may have bodged some other fittings on and they've become corroded (possibly only a small part of the cable is in contact and is 'arcing' out sometimes).

Other than that check this connection box under the battery - it's probably corroded.

it does have the quick release terminals yeah.

where are the main earth connection points and any other places to check.

just to say, while it was working last night on the drive, the dash was all fine as was the display screen.

[no2lurch]

got my new battery. fingers crossed for sunday!

[FarmerPug]

i wish you the best of luck with it and hope it solves the problem, hopefully just a flair of frenchness.

[no2lurch]

IT'S FIXED!!!

I put the new battery on and while it was out I removed the battery box. The earth lead was melted to the box! I would say the connection was bad to the car so started to arc accross causing the box to melt. That might explain the wisp of smoke. Anyway, earths cleaned up and new battery on, it fired up no problem. I cleared the eml too and it's back on the road. What a relief!

BIG THANKS TO ALL THAT HELPED AND ADVISED.

[Gary406]

Excellent excellent news mate

glad it was something simple and not the ECU problem 1st thought

[Gary406]

so did you buy a new battery ? i bet you didnt need to after all

but alwys good knowing you have a new 1 on anyway

[steve_earwig]

Wow! That could have been nasty too, well done yung maaan!

[jamjar1383]

well done you, thought it sounded like a bad earth, u should have tried the jumplead trick i mentioned, could have saved a bit of time

anyway well done and happy motoring

[no2lurch]

Well I bought a new battery and put it on as it was only 45 quid- good to know it's gonna see me ok tho.

I would have tried the jump lead if I had one! Lol

it's surprising just the things the bad earth did!

[jamjar1383]

ive seen bad earth's cause far worse symtoms, one on a lauguna it kept messing with the pump ecu, the car would start and idle with no prob but then it would cut out when revs applied and then ended up frying the pump and the whole ecu, took weeks to find turned out it was in an obscure place (inside the chassis rail), ended replacing the ecu and pump then cutting the chassis leg to fix it then welding it up, total bill £1692 for parts and labour.

not a nice job to do (i now hate renualts with a passion but still have to work on em every day)