Battery and Alternator

[fourteen8]

Hi

I have experienced twice in the morning where the car (D4 SDV6) took a while to crank and start. I also got yellow/red triangle after that but after I switch off and start again, it starts easier and no warning light. I suspected the battery. I charged the battery over night a couple of weeks ago and it slow crank and start happened again this morning. The car is a daily used but only short distance in 1 trip, around 10-15km in average.

I also just purchased secondhand Gap Tool. Is it possible to see if the battery or the alternator need to be replaced from the Gap Tool?

Thanks
Gus

[DieselLSE]

You need a battery tester to check the battery. However, your short drive each day is not helping, so expect the battery to only last two to three years. Also, once the car has travelled around 150,000km it's time to consider replacing the alternator. They tend to go at around 170,000km. Your use of the car translates as arduous conditions, so you can expect other stuff like discs and pads and fluids to need regular replacing. To this end, I hope you are replacing the engine oil and filter every 10,000km, gearbox at 90,000 and every 40,000 thereafter, diffs and transfer case every 40,000 and brake fluid every two or so years.

[Eric SDV6SE]

Short trips kills these cars and most diesels imho.

Need to go for a long drive and "give it the berries" as they say.

The smart alternator in these cars only put out the current that is being asked for, so short trips does not allow them to top up the battery sufficiently, more than likely the cars electronics are being run off the battery, and the alternator just (barely) maintains a float charge on the baytery.

[fourteen8]

What’s the battery specifications for D4 sdv6?

[fourteen8]

Check main battery voltage on IID tool.

Car running: 13.8v to 14V
Not running: 12.5v
Starting: drop to 9.8V in the process

From those data, can you tell whether the battery or alternator needs replacing? Thanks

[DiscoJeffster]

Alternator is fine. Get a new battery

[Eric SDV6SE]

Check main battery voltage on IID tool.

Car running: 13.8v to 14V
Not running: 12.5v
Starting: drop to 9.8V in the process

From those data, can you tell whether the battery or alternator needs replacing? Thanks

When voltage drop below 10v at start up, battery is done for

[fourteen8]

Thanks everyone

Bought Varta G14 for $580 delivered. Hopefully it will be here tomorrow