xr8 battery problem

gra · 17-07-2013, 09:54 PM

hello all ive got an au xr8 that the battery keeps going flat ive been to shop to buy a new one they said the cca is down from 480 to 225 the battery is dead and the terminals are wrong and they didnt have any in stock so i went to another shop and they told me that the battery is fine but as i only drive a couple times a week the new battery will keep going flat as well so i called a 3rd shop and they told me i should install an isolator so now everytime i want to go out i have to charge up the jumper battery thingy first then jump start the car i also tried calling an auto electrician and he said i dont need an isolator and it seems like something is draining the battery so we made arrangements for me to call him the following day which i did but his phone was off so i left a message but so far no return call that was 4 days ago im still hoping he will call
any ideas as to where i can get a battery that wont go flat all the time

cheers

uniacidz · 17-07-2013, 10:10 PM

Well, how old is the battery and what type and assuming its 480CCA?
I wouldve thought you needed a 530CCA or similar being a V8.

Does it have a viewing window and if so what colour is it? (usually has a guide on the battery to show)

A battery should be able to be used easily twice a week or so, should be absolutely fine if a fresh battery is used.

gra · 17-07-2013, 10:28 PM

now even the jumper battery wont start it its just clicking a few times and then nothing ... according to auto shops the same battery is used for 6 and 8 and they also say same radiator etc as well battery has no window and is 3 years old the one that was in it when i got it looked worse than this one which came out of my old au before i sold it looks like its time to buy another car but even though ive sworn by ford au for a long time i dont think i will buy another one after the problem this time

cheers

uniacidz · 17-07-2013, 10:39 PM

Clicking means its got enough power to the electrics but thats about it

3 years old is normal lifetime, depends on battery and battery maker. But generally its normal.

Even jumper batteries need charging.

Can try these, cant remember which ones ford uses. Shows you the codes however
Its what i use, no issues at all, good warranty and is apparently what alot of car manufacturers use.

Been told the exide batteries are the same which are more expensive, just rebranded in the factory.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/AC-Delco-...ht_1224wt_1162 (Left Hand positive)

or

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/AC-Delco-...ht_1262wt_1162 (right hand positive)

Gaz · 17-07-2013, 11:04 PM

If it's 3 years old and keeps going flat I'd say its stuffed. The plates will have lost their capacity.

Should be able to get a reasonable century, supercharge etc for $120-$150.

gra · 17-07-2013, 11:43 PM

whats reasonable
ive been quotes $169 for a 600cca
or $146 for a 540cca
also everytime i try to buy another battery the store talks me out of it i know its bizaar but thats what happens
ive got century in there atm and those prices are for century
have got extra wires under dash with fuses on that go toward the boot but then i lose them and theres a couple under bonnet as well i was thinking thay may be sub woofor cables but dont want to reef them out just in case hence why i also rang the auto electrician so i could get a couple things sorted at the same time but ive fallen on deaf ears
what i may do is just buy my old car back for a grand and break up the xr8 and swap parts from it to the standard falcon and put old falcon parts onto xr8 then scrap the xr8 i could have a original idea the only 6cyl xr8 on the road lol

cheers

peterljohnson55 · 18-07-2013, 02:38 AM

G'day gra.

I got a new battery in May 2012, from NRMA.
Good service, quality product, with 3 year warranty.

FAILS TO START, NO POWER FROM 5 y.o. NRMA BATTERY.

NRMA Road Service....
Inspects, tests and advises battery is knackered.
Testing indicates the alternator is working OK.

NRMA Battery Service....
Re-testing indicates battery has split cell.
A frank discussion about options, with choice from batteries available on the spot.

Installed: NRMA Premium CCA 550 (actual 638, measured on the day).
Date: May 2012
NRMA Membership Price: $187, with free delivery, installation and removal of old battery. I had a choice of prices depending on warranty period.

I value (and pay for) good service, quality product and long warranty.
In this case, $20-30 extra gives me peace of mind = $7-10 year = 14-20c week.

More info about NRMA battery service here ...
http://www.mynrma.com.au/services/batteries-car.htm

See also Ford Forums thread ...
http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthr...ission+battery

peterljohnson55 · 18-07-2013, 03:47 AM

Further to above, the following print-out was given to me:

The following PRE-installation checks were performed ...
- Jump Started: Y
- Battery Voltage: 12.6V
- Test Result: K1BKEM-878DLG (dunno what this is) in my case, FAIL
- Disarmed Alarm: N/A
- Memory Minder Used: N
- Radio Working: N

The following POST-installation checks were performed ...
- Vehicle Starts: Y
- Test result: K1XKE1-87844G (dunno what this is) in my case, GOOD
- Terminals cleaned: Y
- Radio Working: Y
- Draw Current: 0.023A
- Charge Voltage: 14.4V

Gaz · 18-07-2013, 09:26 PM

The rapid clicking is actually the solenoid on the starter engaging and disengaging as the voltage of the battery drops too low as it tries to crank.

If you think something is draining the battery and you have a multimeter disconnect the negative terminal, set the multimeter to ohms and put it between the terminal and the battery lead.

I'd want something less than 1amp with the car off.

540CCA would start a falcon. $150 in the scheme of things isn't a lot of money.. that's less than 2 tanks of juice.

david lee · 18-07-2013, 10:44 PM

gaz is on the mark 3yrs out of a battery your doing alrightbut check the alternator which should be charging 14-5 volts

mik · 18-07-2013, 11:02 PM

as far as battery's go i have always thought bigger capacity is better, my last battery i replaced was over 5 years old, smaller battery won't leave much in reserve once the battery gets a bit tired and you will be running to the battery guy sooner.

Gaz · 18-07-2013, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaz

If you think something is draining the battery and you have a multimeter disconnect the negative terminal, set the multimeter to ohms and put it between the terminal and the battery lead.

Theres a big typo - Don't set it to ohms.. set it to Amps!!

Strattos · 19-07-2013, 07:37 AM

I had a similar problem though nowhere near as severe - took a lot longer to go flat, but it would slowly go flat.

Traced it to a bad earth that meant it wasn't getting full charge from the alternator. Supposed to be getting a bit over 13 volts(correct me if I'm wrong here guys) but was less than 12. My pay to get the multimeter out.

gra · 19-07-2013, 08:20 AM

multimeter is showing 14.6 so all good there although there is the drivers window that goes up veeeeeeeeery slowly

cheers

will try the amp test also picked up a 600 cca battery for $160 with 3 year warrenty

FGII-XR6 · 19-07-2013, 10:34 AM

the window is nothing to do with the battery the window is binding in the guide, get some silicon spray from supercheap or where ever you get your car stuff spray it in both window guides and open / close it a few times and it will be like new again. used to have to do this regularly in the cabs

Quote:

Originally Posted by gra

multimeter is showing 14.6 so all good there although there is the drivers window that goes up veeeeeeeeery slowly

cheers

will try the amp test also picked up a 600 cca battery for $160 with 3 year warrenty

needaXYGT · 19-07-2013, 05:31 PM

Any 12 volt battery for example might read 14v, but you actually need to load test the battery, as its capacity might be poor, which if it is, once loaded up by the starter, the volts will drop right of.

b2tf · 19-07-2013, 06:12 PM

480CCA is not enough for a V8. Go closer to 600 at a minimum.

needaXYGT · 19-07-2013, 10:07 PM

The current battery in my XR8 is below 500cca, and it does struggle on the first crank compared to a bigger battery!

roberts · 26-07-2013, 12:51 PM

it will keep going flat unless you drive it more, Im sure the red flashing light on the dash dosent help this. What I do is buy a battery with a 3 year warranty when its ftat I charge it and keep doing so till It dies then I take it back they do a battery scan and it fails, they supply a new battery under warranty sometimes they even give another 3 year warranty. The thing is unless you drive it every day It will never last 3 years

STINKY NINJA · 26-07-2013, 01:04 PM

Get a c tek trickle charger and plug it in when your not using the car and you will never have issues again,best thing i ever got!

b2tf · 26-07-2013, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roberts

it will keep going flat unless you drive it more, Im sure the red flashing light on the dash dosent help this. What I do is buy a battery with a 3 year warranty when its ftat I charge it and keep doing so till It dies then I take it back they do a battery scan and it fails, they supply a new battery under warranty sometimes they even give another 3 year warranty. The thing is unless you drive it every day It will never last 3 years

Yep and Century and Supercharge have both wised up to this and now do not offer warranty on replaced batteries unless the car is inspected.

gra · 26-07-2013, 08:14 PM

since i replaced the battery i have found the problem i had with oil pressure sender (not switch im sure i read au1 has oil gauge and au2 and au3 has switch) when idling at lights while heater or air con is on does not drop down to 0 anymore like it was all the time giving false readings

cheers