battery problems?

[parkdog]

first off i have a brande new battery and glow plugs in just a month ago but lately my battery doesnt seem to have enough power to turn the engine over once then dies but it turns on the lights and stuff i even tried new connectors on my battery. could the battery be too small maybe? any help is appreciated.

i forgot to mention when i boost it it will start right away the battery light wont come on while im driving it either and the battery was similiar to the old one i had just alittle shorter in length.

[GEE-BEE]

It's probly too small, if its smaller than what you had ?

You want at least 800 cc model

Maybe a Optima red top, and a 90amp alt.

I will locate to a 900 and make a battery box s/s to locate under my caddy truck bed

Gee-Bee

[Vincent Waldon]

There are three components to the starting system:

- battery
- starter
- alternator

All three of these (and the wiring inbetween) need to work properly...so my recommendation would be to test all three (or have them tested) before buying any more parts.  

If it starts fine when boosted your starter is probably just fine.
If you've just replaced the battery there's a good chance it's fine.
So, I'd start by testing the alternator.  If you have access to a multimeter (even a 4 dollar one from Canadian Tire) you can do your own tests:  

- does the red "battery" light on the dash come on when the key is turned to "on"?  If not, the alternator is not receiving the voltage it needs to start charging.  Look for a broken/disconnected wire at the back of the alternator.
- with the engine off you should measure around 12.5V at the two battery posts
- when you start the engine and blip the throttle once the voltage should climb to something in the 13.5V-14.5V range.  If it doesn't climb the alternator is not doing its job.  Probable causes include broken wires/corroded connectors at the back of the alternator, loose alternator belt, or a defect inside the alternator (brushes, regulator, diodes).

[parkdog]

yeah my bad the cca is only 590 the wiring is pretty hagard but not corroded really bad. so i guess ill try a new battery.

edit i looked at the ca and not the cca so yeah its 590 not 739

[burn_your_money]

I run a 650 CCA battery and it cranks the car over just fine, even at -20 (coldest so far)

http://www.vwdiesel.net/forum/index.php?topic=22321.0

I think you will find your problem if you follow the proceedure in that link.

[Vincent Waldon]

the cca is only 738

More than enough... the size of your battery is very likely *not* the issue here.

[rabbitman]

the cca is only 738

More than enough... the size of your battery is very likely *not* the issue here.

X2

[GEE-BEE]

Battery volt check, Alternator output check, sounds like your taking more from the system than your charging ?

I never replace one without the other, the stock wiring from the alternator is crap, I had a custom one made for my install...

G.B.

[8v-of-fury]

I had a custom one made for my install...

G.B.

Course you had one custom made from 24k gold plated wire GB! You wanna send some moulah my way

I have two big batteries I salvaged from a 6.9 ford i was scrapping.. I can crank the engine with the gp's on all day long. There is totally enough room up front for two batteries.

[Rabbit on Roids]

i still think he has a ground issue probably. my rabbit used to be SOOOOOOO picky about grounds. if it was a little dirty, it wouldnt crank. then you had to clean it and it would fire right up.

[parkdog]

i will try and clean the ground and see if that helps. im thinking you might be right and im guessing putting new wiring would be farely cheap could i buy all the connectios at the hardware store and just make my own wiring?

[burn_your_money]

http://www.vwdiesel.net/forum/index.php?topic=22321.0

Did you try this?

[parkdog]

not yet i dont have a multimeter and i live in a small town right now where i dont know anyone. and im guessing replacing the wiring woulr be a good idea anyway way just to be safe. ill see if the hardware store here has a multimeter if not ill have to wait till i go to the city next.

[burn_your_money]

That test will tell you what you need to replace and what you don't. It'll save you money (most likely)

[parkdog]

so the hardware store doesnt have a multimeter in stock so i decided to sand the grounds down. good news is it started instantly now im a happy boy but ill probably still rewire my car for the most part. i just use it for a winter car but im contemplating doing a build this summer when the funds are more readily available. thanks for all the suggestions.