Voltage

jay81 · Post by **jay81** » Thu Dec 17, 2009 6:21 pm

Hi
is 11.9v enough voltage in a battery to start a vito cdi?
would it just get the solenoid to click?

Hitch · Post by **Hitch** » Thu Dec 17, 2009 8:09 pm

Dunno tbh, id think it would do a bit more that that.... does it go with a jump?

Sparky James · Post by **Sparky James** » Thu Dec 17, 2009 8:21 pm

Check the voltage while trying to start the van if there is a big drop >4 volt then its the battery and if there is no significant drop say 1/2-1 volt then its the starter also check the battery leads and engine earth strap.

Good luck

jay81 · Post by **jay81** » Thu Dec 17, 2009 8:25 pm

dont know about jump start as the wifes car is a picasso and battery hidden under drivers seat!!
i have got it off now and giving it a good charge overnight,
this is still the same problem that i asked about in my other topic about this van, its just that when it does not want to start i get the multimeter out and its always reading 11.8-11.9v with nothing turned on and when i finally get it going it reads 13.4,

Hitch · Post by **Hitch** » Thu Dec 17, 2009 8:39 pm

Thats the battery then by the sounds of it, not holding a decent charge.... the alternator will be kicking out the 13.4v you are measuring.

jay81 · Post by **jay81** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 10:47 am

well def not the battery as had it on charge overnight and when i refitted it was reading 12.7 and the van still would not turn over, after about 10 trys it started so i got it parked on the drive and then would not start again and battery still reading 12.5v.

rovert · Post by **rovert** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 8:57 pm

jay81 wrote:well def not the battery as had it on charge overnight and when i refitted it was reading 12.7 and the van still would not turn over, after about 10 trys it started so i got it parked on the drive and then would not start again and battery still reading 12.5v.

You can recharge a battery and get a reading of 12 v but if its not holding enough amperage it still won't start But in any case using a accurate volt meter on a healthy battery should give you a reading not less than 13v (6 cells at 2.2v each) under normal use. If your not getting this reading have the battery tested using an ameter Most accessory shops offer this service free of charge But word of warning if it is the battery its more than likely that the car wont start after this test

Hitch · Post by **Hitch** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 10:09 pm

Have you got something to try and jump it from Jay?

Could rule out what rovert has mentioned...

jay81 · Post by **jay81** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 10:35 pm

Hitch wrote:Have you got something to try and jump it from Jay?

Could rule out what rovert has mentioned...

cheers tried jumpint it earlier with friends pick up and no joy just a single click from solenoid, so i am going to check all wires and connections tomorrow and if need be take the starter off as i think it might be the contacts in the solenoid

jay81 · Post by **jay81** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 2:03 pm

had starter motor off this morning and bench tested it and pinion came out and failed to spin, went and picked up new one and all sorted now, thanks for all your help