Struggling to start

Good Morning Everyone,
So last week I fitted a new battery to my car and it fired up on the button, I went out for a couple of hours in my car as it’s not been driven for a while. I pulled up at the petrol station to fill up and when I got back in the car and tried to start it it started to struggle, it sounded like the battery was going flat.

Now I’m not clued up really on these I just enjoy driving them, could this mean that my alternator is knackered and needs renewing?



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Could be.

When the engines running put a multi meter set at 20v on the positive and earth terminals and you should be getting 13.5 - 14v.

Anything less than this means the alternator isn't the best.

Check the earth straps from the battery to the chassis leg under the battery and onto the gearbox. Make sure they are in good condition.

If it was a new battery it may just have been a little undercharged and had enough juice for the first start and then if it was only a shirt trip to the petrol station it wouldn't have enough time to put a good charge in the battery.

Give her a good run if you can for about 30 mins without stopping, ideally a dual carriageway or similar, assuming the alternator is fine.

Ian

while its running put all your lights, stereo, demister wipers and see if it makes a difference, if the alternator is not charging it will have an effect on the engine, if its an injection car the fuel pump will start to struggle. my 1.8 audi is doing this atm and pretty sure it needs a new brush pack in the alt.

When you have all the electrics on get someone to rev it for you and watch the head lights.  If they brighten and dim considerably the your alt is done for.

Personally I would spend money on a replacement as I like shiny parts.

Also and don’t want to be rude but makes sure you tightened up the battery clamps. You say you don’t know much and I know this is habit for most but just In case as it can save you ££££


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Might be worth removing and checking the alternator regulator, it's a little box on the back of the alternator held on with 2 screw. Remove the regulator and check the length of the carbon bushes and clean up the connections on the regulator (not the bushes) and you will see inside the alternator you will see the sprung metal contact which connects with the regulator clean that as well.

If the regulator has very short bushes or is rather rusty connections get a new regulator, it's a lot cheaper then an new alternator and 9 times out of 10 its worn bushes that causes low voltage front the alternator.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Genuine-MEYLE-Alternator-Regulator-014-731-1023-MK1-Top-German-Quality/202139560191?fits=Car+Make%3AVW&epid=249168218&hash=item2f1074e8ff:m:m-BHsZt2b1bKOrzQwstYl-A

Thanks for the great advice everyone, I will have a good luck at it over the weekend as I’m working away and I’ll let use know if I still need the help or I have solve my problem
Thanks again


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Checked the voltage on the alternator and it’s showing between 13 and 14v, could it possibly be the battery not strong enough to start the car?


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Dazrogers91 said

Checked the voltage on the alternator and it’s showing between 13 and 14v, could it possibly be the battery not strong enough to start the car?


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Yes, and or the Starter is old and or the bushing is Binding the starter from spinning due to dirt/goo/and such.

Try taking off the big connection on the starter motor and wire brush the stud and cable end so they are nice and clean, build of dirt and rust does not help with electrical stuff.