Whazza22 Posted December 30, 2012 Share Posted December 30, 2012 Hi everyone, Went to start the Zed the other day (with lights on) and it wouldnt start. As soon as I turned the lights off it started. I previously have started it many times with the lights on and its been fine. I automatically assumed the battery wasnt holding a full charge.Before starting the Zed the battery gauge shows 12volts. Once started its shows 14volts. So I know the alternator is charging. Should the battery voltage be 12volts? I thought it should be about 14.4volts. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glrnet Posted December 30, 2012 Share Posted December 30, 2012 A perfectly healthy battery should exhibit around 12.6 - 12.7 volts in an absolute ideal world. Charging voltage is about 14.4volts. Just as a matter of interest, why do you turn the lights on before you start the car? How long had you left the car before trying to start it this time? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KC350Z Posted December 30, 2012 Share Posted December 30, 2012 should be just over 12volts as you need 12volts at least to start the car Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flex Posted December 30, 2012 Share Posted December 30, 2012 Beast of an engine to turn over, mine wouldn't turnover after a month of sitting with a 6 month old battery. What does the voltage meter read without the lights on? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldcrest Four Posted December 30, 2012 Share Posted December 30, 2012 You need current to start your car not just the voltage. It can be showing 12v+, in 'no load' conditions but as soon as you put it under load that voltage could fall instantly to almost zero if the battery isn't in good condition. it would be a good idea to get a local garage to test the battery under load for you. The price of a new battery isn't frightening. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spursmaddave Posted December 30, 2012 Share Posted December 30, 2012 Lots of strange things will happen when the battey is on its way out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dblock Posted December 30, 2012 Share Posted December 30, 2012 Hi everyone, Went to start the Zed the other day (with lights on) and it wouldnt start. As soon as I turned the lights off it started. I previously have started it many times with the lights on and its been fine. I automatically assumed the battery wasnt holding a full charge.Before starting the Zed the battery gauge shows 12volts. Once started its shows 14volts. So I know the alternator is charging. Should the battery voltage be 12volts? I thought it should be about 14.4volts. Thanks As said it should be above 12v and when the alternator is running then over 14v. If the car keeps losing charge it will be time for a new battery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtbiscuit Posted December 30, 2012 Share Posted December 30, 2012 i can recommend the bosch battery Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dblock Posted December 30, 2012 Share Posted December 30, 2012 i can recommend the bosch battery +1 great batteries that come with a warranty aswell. TBH most bosch car parts are of a high quality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spoony Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 Was the engine turning over but not starting? then with the lights off its started?!?! seems a strange one! The lights thing may just be throwing you off Craig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ace Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 (edited) If you need a battery Bosch are a good make but I always buy Varta thre fitted on all high spec cars you could even but a battery from sorry to mention it 'Halfords' a calcium type with a 4 year warranty Edited December 31, 2012 by ace Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtbiscuit Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 vsrta's quality has apparently dropped. when looking at batteries, never found snything bad on bosch but varts had mixed reviews. my bosch has a 5 year warranty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hatterjon Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 My battery went on my birthday earlier this year, it had made a funny noise the day before, but when I went to start the car it was totally dead, tried jumping it and got nothing, tried charging the battery nothing still, got one from Halfords for £90 plus they gave me a £10 off my next purchase voucher, so not to bad!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ace Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 (edited) Well sod's law just went to my car in storage and the battery's totaly dead It's the original battery so I'm going to replace it I had no tools to take the battery out or the larger of the battery covers to see what I need, anybody on here know the battery type number I need to get a replacement. Edited December 31, 2012 by ace Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glrnet Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 Well sod's law just went to my car in storage and the battery's totaly dead It's the original battery so I'm going to replace it I had no tools to take the battery out or the larger of the battery covers to see what I need, anybody on here know the battery type number I need to get a replacement. Fill your boots:-http://www.eurocarparts.com/car-batteries Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whazza22 Posted January 1, 2013 Author Share Posted January 1, 2013 Thanks for the replies. I have measured the voltage of the battery and it is 12.15 volts. Is this ok or will it need replacing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dblock Posted January 1, 2013 Share Posted January 1, 2013 Not great as when you apply load it will drop but if it's notably hard to start change it. Doing short journeys never helps as the battery never gets a chance to charge properly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtbiscuit Posted January 1, 2013 Share Posted January 1, 2013 i got my s5 battery because it is supposedly good for cars doing short journeys like mine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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