Having issues with battery/starting

[valgamesh]

Problem Solved?

Update:

Ok so this is the aftermarket voltage display:



At first I thought it was a smart idea to have one of these because it meant you didn't need a multimeter to check the voltage...

Wrong! There is a button which the hood cuts off when its closed and when you open the hood the button releases and the voltage display lights up... good idea but bad when the hood has flex/warping meaning that unless the hood sits perfect and no one breaths around it the button doesn't actually turn off meaning the battery drains...

Now this button isn't the problem I've been trying to figure out, I've had the button disabled since I got the car. It's everything else to do with the button:



Got up this morning and the car decided it didn't want to work again, popped the hood and 'jiggled' the positive cable attached the the gauge and I heard the central locking flicker. The car kicked once but the cable moved and being cold the car didn't start. 'Jiggled' the cable a couple more times and the car started fine.

So hopefully by replacing the voltage gauge with the new normal cable I got this morning I won't have a problem.

[STOIE]

Yeah, anyway will head to Jaycar at lunch and see what we can find in the way of connectors...

Good to have a pic online as a reference, it helps when trying to identify anything.

[velly_16v_cab]

one thing to check it the boot light, the swtich for mine was broken so it was staying on, i ripped it all out to solve this

also check glovebox light (yes a mk2 does have one hehehe)

[STOIE]

Both of those have been replaced for after-market neons...

Could check them out, but I cannot see them drawing that much power so quickly...

[Jarred]

Both of those have been replaced for after-market neons...

Could check them out, but I cannot see them drawing that much power so quickly...

me neither. those things would draw very little ampage, and only drain a battery over a long period, not over night. I'm still going with a break in a circut and a leak somewhere, hopefully it's the terminal as was shown!

[mikinoz]

Remove that for a proper terminal and I bet your issue is resolved.

[STOIE]

Well I met up with Nick over lunch, he found bought a new terminal from the battery place we have around near here.
The car ran well, I really do think the cable is to blame, also, if it loses connectivity when the engine is started/rolled etc. then it won't charge the battery from the alt, while all the time the accessories in the car drain it.

I think this is the cause of all the issues...

Anyway, I advised he also buy one for the negative terminal as well, since it too has a ****ty ball joint... so come tomorrow night we will swap it over, and hopefully not have any issues on the way to and from nats.

[valgamesh]

Anyway, I advised he also buy one for the negative terminal as well, since it too has a ****ty ball joint... so come tomorrow night we will swap it over, and hopefully not have any issues on the way to and from nats.

Fingers crossed for a smooth run.

But yes got a new negative terminal... Same guy as before served me and his first comment was "What... couldn't resist our cables?"

Clearly a father joke kinda guy

Anyway, tomorrow night all should be good. Keep you posted.