Thread: Do I need to get a new battery?

Hi Gus and bacicat.

Gus, 14.23v is normal for older vehicles, and I wish it was still the norm, as it’s much better for your batteries.

Bacicat, unfortunately the headlight load test does not work with Calcium/Calcium batteries.

You can have a flat cranking battery, get a jump start and drive 5 minutes to a battery centre or auto electrician and they can do a load test and the battery will show as being good.

But the next morning, you have another flat battery.

Gus, all you can do is just wait and see if your battery keeps starting for the next week.

If it does, then the charge you gave it will be what you need to do on a regular basis, again, because of your short driving habits.

The charge you gave it, it obviously went into float mode ( 13.65v) so if it’s OK, the battery should last for at least a week.

Only time will now tell.

Originally Posted by bacicat

Sounds like your alternator is ok, but 14.23 seems a it high IMO from an older style unit, but that shouldn't be killing your battery. So, let me get this straight - you bought a new charger and your mate has already borrowed it..... He couldn't even wait until you had finished using it - you're a good friend. Can I borrow it next week....

His strugling to start this morning and mine seems holding the charge and I think he only needs it for a day or two. Then I can charge my battery again for a week. As drivesafe said mine should last at least a week ( I hope &#128563

Of course you can borrow it 😉

Originally Posted by drivesafe

Hi Gus and bacicat. Gus, 14.23v is normal for older vehicles, and I wish it was still the norm, as it’s much better for your batteries. Bacicat, unfortunately the headlight load test does not work with Calcium/Calcium batteries. You can have a flat cranking battery, get a jump start and drive 5 minutes to a battery centre or auto electrician and they can do a load test and the battery will show as being good. But the next morning, you have another flat battery. Gus, all you can do is just wait and see if your battery keeps starting for the next week. If it does, then the charge you gave it will be what you need to do on a regular basis, again, because of your short driving habits. The charge you gave it, it obviously went into float mode ( 13.65v) so if it’s OK, the battery should last for at least a week. Only time will now tell.

When you said regular basis, how often do I have to do it? Once a month? Or until I felt the battery is strugling to start the car? Anyway I notice my fm radio reception is good now.

You will probably need to do a charge at least once a fortnight but once a week for a while, till you recondition the battery.

Another alternative, if it’s viable, is to get a small solar panel and have this sitting in the rear side window and just make sure you park that way towards the sun.

Obviously, this is only useful if you park outside during the day.

Is that ok to charge the battery while it is still connected to the car? I always disconnect first before charging. The charger manual says ok but I am not sure it is ok for D2. It would be good if it can.

Sounds like you could be doing with one of these:
Ctek Comfort Indicator Panel M8 1 5M | eBay
I get the opportunity to drive my D2 rarely, so am thinking about getting one myself, as I often have a flat battery.
Just plug the charger in and leave it until next drive.

Hi Drivesafe. You are right the battery only last even less than a week. On friday I could see the battery weakening. After work I charged the battery (recond mode) then in the morning it was fine. I took my fam for 80km drive return. On sat night I put it on charge again (normal) and in the morning it was still at Bulk stage which made me wondered. Tonight I charge again and see what heppen tommorow morning.

What does this tell (stuck at bulk stage)?? Last week it wasnt that long to pass this stage and the manual doesnt say anything about this.

Just my 2 cents. If your battery connections are clean and tight and if you are getting 14v with engine on but your battery does not last till morning then it IS the battery at fault. 15 km is NOT a small run and with a normal battery it will be well charged in that time. The TD5 needs a few amp to crank but it catches and starts quickly so there is no great drain on a battery under normal starting conditions. 15 km is way more than it will need to get back the charge.

By all means try the tricks already mentioned to "recondition" but if you need to put a charger on your battery more than once then you need a new battery. Don't wast your time and money on other fixes.