Battery gawn?

b2tf · 11-03-2006, 10:07 PM

Focus has started playing up tonight, almost stalling at idle and battery light flashing on and off every now and then. Very sluggish to drive too. Im 99% sure its the battery - am I right?

Also, seeing as it needs a Ca battery, any recommendations as to what brand. Going to have to pick one up in the morning.

12-03-2006, 01:19 AM

First check if your alternator is still good... Have you got a multimeter? If so start the engine and measure across the terminals. If its at a steady 13.5 or so volts, alternator should be ok and its the battery thats the prob... If its varying ie 13.8 one sec, 12.3 the next, then back up etc. the Reg has probably died or the contacts around the reg arent clean... If its low, like in the 12s, then the alternator has probably died. Also see how it behaves the high beams put on and off, holding the engine at 2500rpm etc...

For replacement batteries can't really go wrong with Optima, if you want a long lasting maintainence free battery.

Otherwise, just get a brand name battery with good warranty.

b2tf · 12-03-2006, 11:06 AM

Ran the diagnostic test this morning (no multimeter), and am getting a pretty constant 13.8 all round. noticed the lights were dimmer as i was driving last night, and no unusual stuff other than it almost stalling when i first start it.

might whack a new battery in this morning and see how it goes. alternator etc should be fine, never had any problems with it before.

outback_ute · 12-03-2006, 11:36 AM

The battery shouldn't matter while engine is running as the electrickery is provided by the alternator, unless it is totally stuffed I suppose (not completing circuit). It is easier to test a new battery than alt. though!

WASP · 12-03-2006, 06:03 PM

Make sure your battery isn't leaking. We were having similar issues for a while then they found that the Oz spec battery they use for these cars was leaking at the 3k service. Battery was replaced (along with half the engine bay

: ) and all is ok now.

b2tf · 12-03-2006, 06:42 PM

all done, battery was cactus. alt fine.

after the new one was put in i went for a fairly long drive, it learned itself well so it's a bit more responsive than before. very odd though as it was perfectly mine yesterday morning - this morning it was a complete dog.

the idle RPM still seems a bit low to me, but its not stalling or feeling like its going to, so for now it'll do. due for a service soon so it'll get the once over, going to do plugs and leads too.