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Author Topic: Strange engine failure  (Read 831 times)

Offline MacBain

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Strange engine failure
« on: 04 June 2007, 19:57 »
A stange thing happend to me today, I was driving slowly along in rush traffic when all of a sudden the engine stopped.
Tried starting it up again, but it wouldn't turn over at all, didn't even make a sound when I turned the key.
The lights and all the other electrics seemed to work fine.

Luckely for me a nice fellow stopped and towed me to the nearest gass station.
He tought it was the starter motor that had seized since it didn't make any sound when I turned the key.

Bur after a while a tried to start it up again and then I could hear the starter turning slowly.
Got a jumper cable and hooked it up to a fresh battery and then the car started right away.
I then measured the voltage coming from the dynamo and it read 13.4 volt which I think is normal.

Do you guys think it's the battery that caused the stop?


I didn't think the car would stop when the engine was running even if the battery was flat.


Ps. A couple of weeks ago I left the lights on for about an hour while I was working on the car and that completly drained the battery, so maybe it's time for a new one to be on the safe side.
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Offline Thom89

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Re: Strange engine failure
« Reply #1 on: 05 June 2007, 00:02 »
I think youve answered your own question! also, maybe a good idea to check the earths under the bonnet!
Tom
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Offline ...joe

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Re: Strange engine failure
« Reply #2 on: 05 June 2007, 11:16 »
if the battery drops below 8v it wont run... i speak from experience!
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Offline MacBain

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Re: Strange engine failure
« Reply #3 on: 05 June 2007, 18:56 »
I got a new battery today and the car works fine now, but when I measured the voltage at the battery when the car engine was running I got a voltage reading of 17v, is this correct or is someting wrong with the voltage regulator?

The new battery is a got is 62 amp, is this the right battery for my 1.8 GL or should I have chosen the 65 amp?
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Offline Thom89

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Re: Strange engine failure
« Reply #4 on: 06 June 2007, 00:53 »
Check alternator for overcharging.. should be something like 13.8  get it checked pronto, before it buggers your new battery
Tom
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Offline Ben Lessani

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Re: Strange engine failure
« Reply #5 on: 06 June 2007, 07:13 »
as above, if outputting more than 15v, then you've got regulation issues. not 100% sure on the golf, but is it not a 3 wire alt.....if so, just make sure all connections are tight, otherwise it wont regulate the voltage as it should do.

the capacity of the battery is irrevlevant, it doesnt really matter if you got a 100ah bat, it would just be topped up as far as the alt can go.

double check the voltage again, and check the wires going to the alt are secure.
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