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Drain on battery when starting car

Sam071
Sam071
in General Ford Related Discussions

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I'm having an issue with starting the car usually when it's left for a while but not always. Battery voltage when auxiliary is on is at 11.9/12v but when the ignition is turned it dips low to under 10 and the car struggles to start. Obviously something is draining the battery when the car is being started. Anyone any ideas? Advice would be greatly appreciated. Battery was replaced only 3 weeks ago as I initially thought that was the culprit. 

 

Car is a 2006 Ford Focus Ghia 1.6 Petrol Auto

  • Quote


    1 hour ago, Sam071 said:

    Obviously something is draining the battery when the car is being started.

    Yes indeed, it's called a 'Starter Motor' and will easily drain a few hundred amps while starting.

  • Quote

    Did you fully charge the battery before fitting it?

    I'd suspect you have an alternator issue.

    What is the voltage once running?

  • Quote
    • Author
    6 hours ago, DaveT70 said:

    Did you fully charge the battery before fitting it?

    I'd suspect you have an alternator issue.

    What is the voltage once running?

    Voltage once running 14. This issue has only started in the past few months. Never had it before 

     

    The above voltage is seen through the hidden menu on the dash so I'm unsure how reliable that is. Just started the car now after being left overnight and it didn't dip below 11

  • Quote
    • Sad 1
    31 minutes ago, Sam071 said:

    Voltage once running is back to 12.

    The alternator is not charging the battery !

    The minimum voltage with the engine running should be 13.95V going as high as 14.90V on your model.

    A 12V car battery requires at least 12.65V to charge, but that is the bare minimum and would only just keep the battery at a maintained level.

    You can check the alternator charging circuit by simply disconnecting the charge control plug on the side of the alternator. With that disconnected and the engine running the voltage measured at the battery terminals should be 13.95V which is the default charge voltage in the event of the charge control failing.

    Ford - Battery SOC.JPG

  • Quote
    • Author

    Yeah I mistyped there. 12V when on auxiliary 13.8 when engine is running. I have a video of the issue if it's any help. Unsure how to change it. I don't think I'm explaining it correctly. 

  • Quote
    • Sad 1

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