Battery Charging

[pushcaddy]

Hiya Guys,
Please excuse me for joining and posting a question immediately but I would really appreciate some guidance!

Really pleased with my Silver 2000 (W) 406 rapier 2.0 hdi saloon but have 2 problems :-

1. I have the dreaded "Brake Fluid Level Low" warning which comes up only when the handbrake is applied but having checked out the posts from members on here I'm pretty certain it is the sensor beneath the centre console so will attempt to change!

2. When driving on the motorway 65-70 mph no problems with display at all, as soon as I begin "urban driving" 30-40 mph a "Battery Charging Error" appears along with the "battery image" by the speedo!

The car runs really well and I love it but the above problems are obviously worrying me any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated..

[teamster1975]

Welcome caddy!
Pop the bonnet and check you've got 14v across the battery with the engine idling for starters.

[Doggy]

Hi PC & Welcome

As Teamy says, check it's charging at tickover first & let us know what you find.

[steve_earwig]

Also check the aux/fan belt for tension - perhaps the tensioner's stuck (you don't want this to let go btw), and alternator & battery connections.

[pushcaddy]

Thanks for the welcome and replying so promptly fellas I really appreciate it, had to go up to scotland for the last couple of days so only had the chance to get a meter on the car today!

Ignition off showing 12v on the meter!
Ignition on and at idle meter shoes 13v!
Battery connections appear nice and tight!

Not sure how to check the aux/fan belt and tensioner though.

Thanks again.

[pushcaddy]

Thanks Steve, Teamster and Dogslife!

Things just got a whole lot worse...... Driving to work last night in the rain, radio started cutting out then dash dials and lights started to go off and come back on, braking failure and abs fault lights flashed on and off. With 5 minutes of my journey left (thank god) I lost the dash lights completely and all lights indicators ceased working, managed to get to work didn't seem to effect the running of the car!!!!

Arrived at work turned off the engine and removed the key, strangely enough the radio display remained on but the date and time were flashing? Anyway did my 12 hour shift with my fingers crossed all night got in the car this morning and bugger non starter!!!!!!

With the help of a couple of beefy colleagues managed to get it going with a push in reverse, "battery charge fault" light stayed on but managed to get home lights worked for the journey, once home turned off ignition and tried to restart but no go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Appreciate any help you can give me guys...

[jasper5]

Alternator faulty?

[Doggy]

Could be, but there's not really enough info to go on. 13V is inconclusive - should really be 14.0- 14.4 idling, but could be lower if charging a heavily discharged battery, (for example). Fully charged battery will give 13.2V on its own.

The lights flashing / going off etc. suggests battery connections / earth / engine earth or maybe a battery with a high resistance joint internally.

If it were mine, I'd fully charge the battery off the car, check the battery / alternator / earth connections and see if you get rational behaviour while it's still charged. A more precise battery volts at idle reading would help too.

[DiscoPol]

Im also with the battery/alternator thoughts, as Doggy says we could with a more precise reading from the multimeter,

do you have anyone who could pop round with a known good battery in a similar motor-ish to do a test swap and try the readings again, providing it will start?

[pushcaddy]

Thanks very much fellas, my son has a 2.0 tdi Mondeo so will "borrow" his battery and give your advice a go

Put the meter on the battery this morning for curiosity sake with ignition off and got a precise reading of 11v.

Thanks again guys.

[teamster1975]

Put the meter on the battery this morning for curiosity sake with ignition off and got a precise reading of 11v.

That's flat as a pancake! It may be worth getting an Optimate hooked up to see if the battery is sulphated, although new ones aren't too bank breaking.

[Doggy]

That's flat as a pancake!

That's flat as a witch's tit - fully discharged is 11.80

[pushcaddy]

Thanks again teamster and dogslife, wouldn't do any harm I suppose to treat myself to a new battery in the morning!!!!

Sorry to sound like a complete idiot but any major issues to look out for when taking out and replacing battery???

Cheers!

[teamster1975]

The only issue I've heard of on D9's is the remote plip losing it's sync to the car, the only way around this would be to piggy-back to another battery while you swap over.
Of course this may not happen if you're quick enough!

[pushcaddy]

Update Guys,

Took a chance and bought a new Battery no probs after the change didn't lose anything!

But woe is me, "battery charge fault" warning bleeped up!
More accurate meter readings as follows:- (bought a new multimeter also)
Engine off = 12.6v
At Idle = 12.2v
At 2500 rpm = 12.2v

Belt doesn't seem to be slack I reckon 1/2" max of play, strangely enough I had a really good look at the alternator "in situ" of course and it really does look quite new? Unable to get hold of the last owner to check but it's in really good condition?

Getting worried now, thanks again guys your help is really appreciated.