Battery Charging
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Battery Charging
The charging gauge in the dash of my 480 registers in, or very near to, the red sector, all the time the engine is running.
This is, I believe, not how it should be.
Can't find any info in the forum so it's a case of 'please, has anybody got any info/ideas?'.
Many thanks.
This is, I believe, not how it should be.
Can't find any info in the forum so it's a case of 'please, has anybody got any info/ideas?'.
Many thanks.
Re: Battery Charging
The gauge is all but an exact indicator. Check the voltage which a multimeter over the battery, lights, fans and AC off. If it is well over 14 Volts exchange the regulator in the alternator.
Too old to bother
480 Turbo midst '91
480 Turbo midst '91
Re: Battery Charging
A multimeter across the battery is the best check - You should see at least 13.5v with the engine running.
However, before starting, check that the battery warning light is lit up on the dashboard with the ignition on, if it's not, it can prevent the alternator from starting to charge. It could be a simple failed bulb, it could also be signs of a dead alternator.
However, before starting, check that the battery warning light is lit up on the dashboard with the ignition on, if it's not, it can prevent the alternator from starting to charge. It could be a simple failed bulb, it could also be signs of a dead alternator.
Re: Battery Charging
or even the small thin wire broken at the alternator, guess how I knowjifflemon wrote: ↑Thu Jan 17, 2019 3:32 pmA multimeter across the battery is the best check - You should see at least 13.5v with the engine running.
However, before starting, check that the battery warning light is lit up on the dashboard with the ignition on, if it's not, it can prevent the alternator from starting to charge. It could be a simple failed bulb, it could also be signs of a dead alternator.
Alan
480 ES 2litre 'Celebration' ? , C30 1.8ES, SS1
480 ES 2litre 'Celebration' ? , C30 1.8ES, SS1
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Re: Battery Charging
Thanks for the info, gentlemen.
Will check the system tomorrow - snooker to-day.
Alan 480 - I believe the expression is "I was that soldier".
Will check the system tomorrow - snooker to-day.
Alan 480 - I believe the expression is "I was that soldier".
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Re: Battery Charging
Update.
Found single-wire connector wasn't (connected).
Using all my knowledge of electrical circuits; I re-connected it and all is now good.
However, I think I need a new battery.
Thanks for all the info.
Found single-wire connector wasn't (connected).
Using all my knowledge of electrical circuits; I re-connected it and all is now good.
However, I think I need a new battery.
Thanks for all the info.
Re: Battery Charging
How old is the battery? How often is the car used and what sort of journeys do you do?
Alternators are not exactly efficient at charging - they're primarily used to run the electronics and keep the battery topped up.
This means if you've a battery that hasn't been being charged for some time, you've possibly taken out more than you've put in.
Especially if you're only doing short journeys (which, in winter time, mean with additional electrical load from Heated seats, heated windows, lights etc).
Sticking it on a good battery charger overnight wouldn't do it any harm.
Alternators are not exactly efficient at charging - they're primarily used to run the electronics and keep the battery topped up.
This means if you've a battery that hasn't been being charged for some time, you've possibly taken out more than you've put in.
Especially if you're only doing short journeys (which, in winter time, mean with additional electrical load from Heated seats, heated windows, lights etc).
Sticking it on a good battery charger overnight wouldn't do it any harm.
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Re: Battery Charging
jifflemon,
three good questions.
How old is the battery? Don't know.
How often is the car used? Every two/three days.
What sort of journeys do I do? No more than ten (10) miles.
I'll just keep removing/charging/re-fitting after & before every trip.
three good questions.
How old is the battery? Don't know.
How often is the car used? Every two/three days.
What sort of journeys do I do? No more than ten (10) miles.
I'll just keep removing/charging/re-fitting after & before every trip.
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Re: Battery Charging
Update
Went Lidling yesterday and car wouldn't start after leaving Lidl. Flattened the battery so called out the RAC.
The engineer did his checks and showed me that the alternator was only pushing out 11.6 volts.
So now I'm looking for a new/recond. alternator.
Anybody any ideas/recommendations/spare?
In advance, Thanks.
Went Lidling yesterday and car wouldn't start after leaving Lidl. Flattened the battery so called out the RAC.
The engineer did his checks and showed me that the alternator was only pushing out 11.6 volts.
So now I'm looking for a new/recond. alternator.
Anybody any ideas/recommendations/spare?
In advance, Thanks.
- jamescarruthers
- 480 Is my middle name
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- Location: Cambridge
Re: Battery Charging
I sent mine for remanufacture at Just Alternators and Starter Motors. This is all Mike does and he is surprisingly passionate about what he does.
www.jasm.co.uk
www.jasm.co.uk
Last edited by jamescarruthers on Mon Feb 17, 2020 3:42 pm, edited 2 times in total.
1987 Volvo 480 ES, 507274, 217 - Red (Ness)
2006 Citroen C6 Exclusive 3.0 petrol/LPG
2008 Mini Cooper convertible (Mau)
Previous 480's:
J123 CFU -- ES
J449 MNL -- ES auto
D864 CPV -- ES
L691 JFC -- Turbo
F70 MNR -- ES
H858 FGV -- Turbo auto
E981 KHM -- ES (509849)
2006 Citroen C6 Exclusive 3.0 petrol/LPG
2008 Mini Cooper convertible (Mau)
Previous 480's:
J123 CFU -- ES
J449 MNL -- ES auto
D864 CPV -- ES
L691 JFC -- Turbo
F70 MNR -- ES
H858 FGV -- Turbo auto
E981 KHM -- ES (509849)
Re: Battery Charging
Just before running for an alternator, have you checked (or did the rac man check) it actually is a alternator problem?yorkievolvo wrote: ↑Mon Feb 17, 2020 10:08 amUpdate
Went Lidling yesterday and car wouldn't start after leaving Lidl. Flattened the battery so called out the RAC.
The engineer did his checks and showed me that the alternator was only pushing out 11.6 volts.
So now I'm looking for a new/recond. alternator.
Anybody any ideas/recommendations/spare?
In advance, Thanks.
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Re: Battery Charging
Thanks James.
I've booked an appointment, for tomorrow morning, with a local reconditioner.
If he's too expensive, I could be sending a parcel to Southampton.
I've booked an appointment, for tomorrow morning, with a local reconditioner.
If he's too expensive, I could be sending a parcel to Southampton.
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- Knows where Volvo is from
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Re: Battery Charging
Thanks jifflemon,
the RAC chap connected a couple of black boxes to the car and spent a few minutes letting everything warm up & settle down.
He showed me the readings - 11.6 for the alternator output - was good enough for me.
No point it messing about, I thought, find a replacement.
Change things I can do; when it's a nuts & bolts job.
It's the electrickery bits where I'm stumped.
the RAC chap connected a couple of black boxes to the car and spent a few minutes letting everything warm up & settle down.
He showed me the readings - 11.6 for the alternator output - was good enough for me.
No point it messing about, I thought, find a replacement.
Change things I can do; when it's a nuts & bolts job.
It's the electrickery bits where I'm stumped.