Van died at the gas pump!!

[Adam]

OK, I know I had very little business being at a diesel pump, let alone a gas pump, but I was filling up a 10L jerry to fuel my chainsaw, I wasn't putting it in my van, I swear. I'd just driven from Nanaimo to Victoria and was almost back in Nanaimo when I stopped at the Co-op in Ladysmith for the gas. I had the engine shut of for maybe 10 minutes, when I tried to start it the batteries were super low and had no where near the cranking power I needed. I had to wait for BCAA to come and jump start me at the pump.

So what are the most likely culprits, and how do I track them down? Something similar happened a month ago when I broke the tensioning bolt on my alternator and the belts came loose producing a squeaking sound, the batteries weren't getting charged and the water pump wasn't running. This isn't the case now, the belts look tight, no squeaking and the temp when running is normal. I guess I could have messed up something when I took out the alternator and replaced the bolt, but I would have thought the problems arising from that would have surfaced days after the so called 'repair'.

The problem of low starting power has been going on for a few days, the first time I jumped it in the driveway and the second time was just tonight at the pump. It almost seems intermittent, because once I jumped it the first time everything was fine for a few days, and now this. I'm going to check the water level on the batteries as soon as I Google it to find out how to, but the other options as far as I can see are alternator and/or regulator. Just not sure how to figure out between the two, seeing as I don't know what the regulator looks like.

[FalcoColumbarius]

• A/ Have you put new batteries in her lately?
  B/ If you have do they need water? The water level should be right at the base of the tubes as you look into the open batteries. ( http://www.delica.ca/forum/12v-plug-a-l ... -3103.html)

When I first got the Miss Lil' Bitchi the batteries had a full charge, that is to say they had the right voltage. What I didn't realise was that they had little amperage. Which means ~ leave the radio on for 45 minutes and not enough crank to start the engine. Hope this helps... smiles.

Falco.

[Adam]

No.....and no. These are the batteries she came with. I bought from Five Star/CC Auto, not sure if they replaced the batteries or not, but they are definitely from Japan. I'll check the water tomorrow, but it sounds very similar to your situation, the voltage seems OK, but the Amps have issues. Did you replace both your batteries? If so with what?

[FalcoColumbarius]

Globelites, in my case two 550 deep cycle amp cold cranking Globelites. I got them from "Polar Batteries" on Boundary in Burnaby. Cost me $150ish for the pair. Not sure how your battery(ies) are configured but I had to loose the cross brace with the new batteries ~ but it hasn't really made a difference with holding them in place.

Falco.

[jessef]

I had the same thing happen when I bought my Pajero.

I left the batteries from Japan in there. Big mistake.

Both batteries were dying and they took out the voltage regulator in the alternator out, leaving me stranded on the side of the highway.

I had to replace both batteries and have the alternator rebuilt.

With that said, two good batteries should run you about $200 for a pair.

Alternator rebuild cost me $150 tax in. Included new voltage regulator/new brushes/wind and bearings.

Before you go out and buy new batteries, I strongly recommend to have your alternator checked.

If you don't and your volt reg in your alternator is toast, then your two new batteries will die shortly after installing them.

[Adam]

Do I need to drive up to CCAuto to get the alternator checked, or can I get that done anywhere? Does it require removing it? Just wondering how involved a process it is. Thanks.

[delicat]

Adam,

Any shop can check your alternator, no need to drive too far to get it checked...

David

[jessef]

Do I need to drive up to CCAuto to get the alternator checked, or can I get that done anywhere? Does it require removing it? Just wondering how involved a process it is. Thanks.

Voltmeter can check to see what the constant output of the alternator is.

The alternator in the Delica itself is pretty common. All of the internal parts are pretty generic (this is what a alternator place told me)

[marsgal42]

You're seeing all the classic symptoms of a bad battery and/or bad alternator. What do your headlights do when you crank the engine? Do they dim, or do they go out completely? Does the starter sound like it can only just barely turn the engine over? Think what the starter on old 6 volt cars sounded like...

A shop will do a load test on your batteries with a special machine that puts a heavy load on them (several hundred amps, usually half the CCA rating), similar to what happens when you hit the starter on a cold morning. The fact that you're having starting problems says the load test is likely to fail. The shop will also measure the current output of your alternator at full capacity. You can do a preliminary measurement yourself, hook up a voltmeter, start the engine, and turn on all accessories, including the headlights on high beam. I use the cigarette lighter socket, though this is accessory power that is cut while the engine is cranking.

Chronic over/under charging from a bad alternator will kill the batteries, no matter how much water you put in them. Like the cam belt, if you don't know how old they are, assume the worst.

Gumdrop is still on the batteries she came from Japan with. They survived last winter with a dying alternator. I'm not going to put them through a second winter.

...laura

[dfnder]

Like others have said it is either poor charging or a poor battery, I have gone through this many times as used vehicles is all I have ever owned lol.

Sometimes a battery charging poorly is simply a poor connection. Take both terminals off the posts and clean thoroughly...

1- with baking soda and water if there are deposits present
2- a tool/wire brush until you see good metal.
3- coat the battery terminal with petroleum jelly to slow the build up of deposits

Then reconnect the battery. You can test your battery fairly easy, take a volt meter out and check the voltage between the posts. It should be 12.5 or higher and if it is lower then you have "a cell" in the battery fried. This usually means that sometime you are able to start the vehicle yet other times you won't be able to. If you have a charger then charge the battery overnight with the improved connections, If the battery starts the vehicle in the morning it will likely be your alternator. I'm not sure how to test the alternator but the method I describe will point you in the right direction.

Peter

[Adam]

It died again in front of the Liquor Store. I charged the batteries last night, then after a morning of running errands the van wouldn't turn over after that last stop before home. Not even a chug-chug, just click-click-click and no action. After I took all the connections apart, cleaned them as best I could and reassembled I was able to get a pathetic chug-chug, with absolutely no hope of enough juice to turn the engine over.

After the 2nd call to BCAA for a jumpstart in as many days I was able to get home. I've disconnected one battery and am charging it up right now, after which I'll charge the 2nd one. The voltage is slightly below 12V on both. After getting home I was able to restart the van no problem. Out of curiosity I tried starting the van on the one battery that is connected well the other battery is charging, not even close to enough juice to turn the van over. I would expect I could start on one battery normally. I'll try it after both are fully charged.

[BCDelica]

I had the same thing happen when I bought my Pajero.

I left the batteries from Japan in there. Big mistake.

Both batteries were dying and they took out the voltage regulator in the alternator out, leaving me stranded on the side of the highway.

I had to replace both batteries and have the alternator rebuilt.

With that said, two good batteries should run you about $200 for a pair.

Alternator rebuild cost me $150 tax in. Included new voltage regulator/new brushes/wind and bearings.

Before you go out and buy new batteries, I strongly recommend to have your alternator checked.

If you don't and your volt reg in your alternator is toast, then your two new batteries will die shortly after installing them.

Bang on what happened with Randi's van when it still very new to us, though paid a little less for an alternator rebuild several years ago. Before the rebuild, the lights and wipers had definite reduced power while starting.

So now that your practiced at alternator removal.............................

[CVI]

Hi Adam,

Assuming all your battery terminals and battery posts have been cleaned, you should get at least 14 volts on a voltmeter with the engine on idle. At 14 volts, your alternator is definitely charging your batteries. Next, you need to check the cells of your batteries using a battery load meter. Canadian tire normally checks batteries out for you free of charge. They will load test it and charge it and load test again to see how it is. It's better if that is done first and then decide if you need new ones after the test.

Good luck...

mitsubc

[fishslapper]

classic alternator !!!! get it rebuilt. should not be too much money.
I have had all kinds of electrical nightmares As will anybody who has ever had a volkswagen........or two......

[jessef]

It died again in front of the Liquor Store. I charged the batteries last night, then after a morning of running errands the van wouldn't turn over after that last stop before home. Not even a chug-chug, just click-click-click and no action. After I took all the connections apart, cleaned them as best I could and reassembled I was able to get a pathetic chug-chug, with absolutely no hope of enough juice to turn the engine over.

After the 2nd call to BCAA for a jumpstart in as many days I was able to get home. I've disconnected one battery and am charging it up right now, after which I'll charge the 2nd one. The voltage is slightly below 12V on both. After getting home I was able to restart the van no problem. Out of curiosity I tried starting the van on the one battery that is connected well the other battery is charging, not even close to enough juice to turn the van over. I would expect I could start on one battery normally. I'll try it after both are fully charged.

You're wasting your time.


Take the advice on the forum here and go have a shop load test your batteries and your alternator.

That will tell you which one or both need to be replaced.

If it's still good. Then buy one or two good batteries and call it a day.

If you toasted your alternator, then pull it out and have a shop rebuild it.

This is no different than any vehicle.

It's all the same. Just get it done.

Last thing you want is you think you did good by just recharging your batteries and down the road on a highway somewhere you get stuck. Not fun in my book.