Thread: Leaking Voltage?

~Rich~, you say you had your battery and alternator replaced recently. Was that done on spec to try to fix this problem, or had they actually failed?

I presume you have a D3 - petrol or diesel? How many k's? What year model? Are your 750 k's a week done by daily driving or just weekend driving?

Cheers,

Paul

2005 TDV6 HSE, 134,000 kms, that 750 is my work day week total for 5 days @ 150.
The problem has shown up months after the Alternator replacement and approx 1 yr after the battery was replaced. Both failed seperately.

Originally Posted by ~Rich~

2005 TDV6 HSE, 134,000 kms, that 750 is my work day week total for 5 days @ 150.
The problem has shown up months after the Alternator replacement and approx 1 yr after the battery was replaced. Both failed seperately.

~Rich~, when it fails to start, is that on a Monday after an idle weekend, or does it happen any old time?

.... and do you have any load regularly connected to the aux battery?

Nope

Hi Rich, and there is a known problem with the V6 D3s where their earth, between the motor and the chassis, breaks it’s bond at the chassis.

It’s not an easy job to fix as you need to take the front right hand wheel off and the wheel arch cover, to get at the chassis earth.

You can either do that and/or fit a new engine to chassis earth.

A little tip Rich and for anybody else, if this is the problem, it not only has the potential of damaging the alternator but it can also damage your starter motor.

So check for voltage difference between the block and the chassis too, again with a load on the alternator.

Originally Posted by Graeme

So check for voltage difference between the block and the chassis too, again with a load on the alternator.

Hi Graeme and unfortunately NO.

you need to get a visual of the actual bond situation because the earth return can actually be via a different course all together.

This was a problem many years ago, where the earth cable was frayed or even missing and the earth return was via the starter motor or gear box mounts.

This would lead to the tips of the gear teeth being burnt and damaged and the first time I heard about it I was sure it was a truck load of horse do-do, but after I was told by people who were well aware of the problem that it was fact, and I got an education.

The problem sort of went away with better earth straps being used but this problem is starting to reappear because of the hugh current draw most new vehicles, particularly 4x4s, need just to operate their day to day electronics and such.

So in this case, a visual is needed.