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Model specific boards => Golf mk4 => Golf mk4 TDI => Topic started by: sps on 16 November 2011, 21:35

Title: non-starter !!
Post by: sps on 16 November 2011, 21:35

the car is 2004 vw 1.9tdi bora with a pd engine.

it has 90k miles from new on original factory fitted varta battery.

went to start the car,the engine turns over but will not fire. :sad:

sounds like the engine turns but a little slower than it should. :sad:

glow plug light on dash comes on and off as it should after ii turn the key  and before trying to start the engine. :cool:

no fault codes showing on vag.com. :cool:

battery voltage with tester shows 12.3 volts. :undecided:

the in-tank fuel pump buzzes normally for a few seconds on turning the key on :cool:( intank pump was replaced a few thousand miles ago).

my impression is partially discharged battery or dying battery.

am i right?

can i charge the battery from a mains charger with battery still hooked up inside the engine bay-(that is without removing the cables?.

any precautions while doing the charging?

Title: Re: non-starter !!
Post by: Steve_PD on 16 November 2011, 21:39

Sounds like a dead battery, Mine was showing 12.odd volts but wouldn't start the car.
Try and jump start it. If it starts its the battery.
You can charge it using a mains but Id budget for a battery as well as it will give up at some stage or struggle on the cold winter mornings.

You can charge it with it all connected up.

Title: Re: non-starter !!
Post by: sps on 16 November 2011, 21:45

thanks  for your quick response

i read the haynes manual and it confirms that if a battery shows 12.4 volts or less,it could be partially discharged.

so in the light of day,i will open the caps on the cells,have a look down athe water levels first,the charge in car with mains charger.

Title: Re: non-starter !!
Post by: sps on 17 November 2011, 12:01

checked the cell water levels,2 were low :undecided:-so topped them up with distilled water. :cool:
voltage was 12.1 meaning it was in ay discharged state. :wink:
so charged it up with mains battery cahger and after 3 hrts it was 13.3 volts-so charged up. :cool:
the moment of thruth was car started up first kick :cool: :grin:
the next test will be if it hold sthe charge overnight.
if it doesn,t it will be time to buy new bosch S4008 spec battery from eurocarpatrs with the 25% forum discount. :cool:

Title: Re: non-starter !!
Post by: sps on 18 November 2011, 08:49

Update,i checked the voltage this morning-it was 12.42 volts,so it appears to have held its charge overnight.
Car started first kick.Drove it to work.
But i don't want to get stranded and given the battery is 7.5 yrs old from new,i am going to replace it with a Bosch S4008 battery.This is a higher spec than what i will be replacing,are there any problems using a higher spec battery?

Title: Re: non-starter !!
Post by: Agreeable Slick on 18 November 2011, 08:51

Nope. :afro:

Title: Re: non-starter !!
Post by: sps on 19 November 2011, 12:05

update,
car started ok after yet another coldish night and appears to be holding its charge :smiley: -so purchase of new battery is on hold for now. :cool:

Title: Re: non-starter !!
Post by: sps on 23 November 2011, 17:03

the car started for first time after charging the original varta battery and has done so without any problems for a week,the magic eye is showing green which means fully charged. :cool:
i have however fitted a new bosch S4008 battery as a precaution for winter motoring. i reset the clock and synchronised the electric windows after fitting the new battery. :grin: