Iveco battery or alternator problem...

[Ty Korrigan]

So which is it then?

We have a 2007 Daily we bought last September.

Twice now on a Spring morning it would not start/turn over after running well enough the day before.

No alternator warning light showing and the battery charged up after a couple of hours enough to get the engine going again.

No lights or radio left on.

Battery looks old and mouldy...

I can tell by putting a volt meter across the terminals when I get hold of one but is there any test for an alternator or anything else I should look for?

Regards

[swinny]

Alternator should charge at 14v when running. Check battery when running.

 

Check all earths. Check leads to starter and solenoid connection.

[NoRush]

Switch your lights on when running (at night). Fom tickover rev your engine and see if your lights get brighter. If they do your battery is knacked if not the alternator. A simple quick test

[gensetsteve]

If the battery is good and the alternator is charging at 14v it could be diodes in alternator are shot and drags the battery down over night. IF you can get hold of a dc clamp meter it takes 2 seconds to find it.

[mixedangased]

does the alt light come on when the ign is on with engine not running ?if not thats the problem,alts need power to produce power,check bulb,conections etc

[Rich2484]

Just sounds like a battery not holding charge. Get new.

 

Could test the battery with a load tester but if its old and mouldy change it anyway.

[robbo 110]

you need to get your battery 'drop' tested,this tests the battery under load, local garage will be able to do this, the battery needs to hold over 9 volts whilst under load, if this is ok then look at possible alternater probs, always start with the most 'consumable' item... the battery in this case!! may be worth checking the water level of the battery if it isnt sealed, if your unsure on this get the garage to do it, battery's contain acid & give off highly explosive gases whilst being charged!!

[Ty Korrigan]

Cheers, thanks for the advice.

I'll go for the 'drop test' on the 16th when my itinerant mechanic visits for a cambelt and fluid change.

Regards

[gensetsteve]

If any one gets this problem nr Andover I have a drop tester and all the other guff comes in handy for life saving gensets

[Chris99]

When you turn the ignition on is there a battery light? When you start it up does the light go out?

 

If there is no light when you turn the ignition on give the alternator a tap with a hammer not to hard though. If this brings the light n it's the brushes in the alt. if not find the small wire on the alt. remove it and put it to earth, does this bring the light on? If so its the alt. If not its the fantastic iveco wiring.

 

 

If the light doesn't go out when it starts the alt is broken.

 

One other thing to check is that when it's running and if the light goes out turn all the lights on and make sure the alt. is turning, it has been known for the pulleys to spin on the shafts, this would leave it to work until its put under load then it stops going round.

 

As for the battery. They last 3 years give or take. I've known a old guy that bought his Mazda 626 brand new and the battery gave up 16 years later. Also known them to last 6 months.

 

Make sure it has fluid in it, if it's low top it up with cooled boiled water, drop testing is the best way to test a battery. Make sure it's fully charged when you do it or it will says its dead regardless of its condition.