BATTERY HELP!

[benwykes]

Hello All!

I am new to the world of classic cars and the world of Rovers and I am looking for a bit of guidance!

I have just purchased a beautiful 1973 Rover P5 and after getting it home, this morning it won't start.

A bit of common sense diagnosis led me to believe the battery was flat or dead as last night on the drive home had all the lights on, windscreen wipers etc for quite a short drive and I think the car has stood for a while so I am assuming the battery is drained.

I jump started this morning and all fine but then she conked out and now getting absolutely nothing when turning the key, not even turning over.

So, my first step is to see if it is the battery by buying a new one. However I have no idea what the modern equivalent would be and after having a look around on the forum it seems that the battery housing has caused problems in getting a modern one to fit.

I have a Halfords around the corner so am planning to get a new one today, so if anyone can offer ANY advice as to what to go for based on their experiences I would be most grateful! Even a link to the Halfords battery would be fantastic.

Crossing my fingers that this will get her up and running again!

Thanks Ben

[David]

Hi Ben

Sorry cannot help, but just wish you a warm welcome to the club forum.

HTH: roverp5.proboards.com/thread/8067/battery-size

Does sound like the battery. The starter motor 'clicks' when the charge is insufficient.

[johnwp5bcoupe]

Welcome to the Forum Ben

A new battery will sort out your problem Ben

[Phil Nottingham]

069

[benwykes]

Thanks all for the information.

This weekend I am going to cover all bases and get a new battery and also replace the alternator as either the battery is a bit old and tired with knackered cells or the battery is just not getting charge

I think replacing both of these should set me right and a new battery can never really do any harm anyway I think!


Fingers crossed!

[guidedog]

Welcome to the foram Ben. I would suggest you do one thing at a time. Change the battery leave any other scheme you have till later .

[Welsh Warlock]

I too suspect it will be the battery. Particularly if the car has been laid up for a while.

Sometimes swapping thing unncesarily can cause more issues than it solves.

Get the battery tested. You will need to put it on charge for a while first. If you have a car battery charger put it on over night on slow charge. Make sure that if its not a 'sealed for life' type that the cells are topped up with distilled water to the top of the lead plates before you charge it. Then, once charged, get it tested.

Alternatively, just splash out on a new battery if it has stood discharged for some time. Then if that discharges while driving, investigate the alternator.

[Colin McA]

Make sure if you get a new battery the terminals are the right way round.

[Deleted]

Agree with the previous advice to do one thing at a time. Take the battery out and get it checked,if its more than a few years old it's probably on borrowed time anyway. A multimeter will check out the alternator,although they are an old design they seem to survive reasonably well,the warning light relay does fail and is obsolete but you can buy a small,solid state electronic unit that can be hidden out of site quite cheaply.
Lets see some pictures,enjoy your rover.

[djm16]

Always a good idea to make a diagnosis before effecting a cure!

1) fully charge the battery 24 hours.
2) check the voltage across the battery terminals (12.5 to 13.5V)
3) check again with the headlights on (11 - 12V)
4) lastly start the engine. With the engine running the battery voltage should be no less than 14V, and should not drop appreciably with added loads (lights etc).

Kind of stupid question, but your fan belt is still there and not slipping?

[benwykes]

Thanks all!

I will take the above advice and let you know how it goes this weekend.

Having a full time job whilst wanting to enjoy a new car is surely one of lives biggest tortures!!

Here she is, along with me:

[benwykes]

[Deleted]

Car looks good. Courageous wearing whitewalls...

[guidedog]

Maybe its my eyesight I cant see white walls. The car does look. Congratulations on getting your picture's uploaded after 4 years of being a member I haven't got there yet. But I am running Ubunto which does not connect exe.

[Phil Nottingham]

It must be my eyesight too but car looks good without them anyway

[Steve P5b]

Well spotted Peter.

Have you a yacht as well as I nice Rover Ben?

[Rodney the Rover]

Jul 9, 2014 7:17:20 GMT @peternetherlands said:

''wearing whitewalls...''

Maybe Peter was looking at Ben's footwear,lol?
Very nice car Ben,any more pictures to share? We like pictures on here 

[Deleted]

I can see the white walls. Well shod ?.
It certainly looks a smart car.

[johnwp5bcoupe]

Jul 9, 2014 17:39:02 GMT Phil Nottingham said:

It must be my eyesight too but car looks good without them anyway

I think Peter is talking about the shoes

[Phil Nottingham]

Is that being subtle then (as in the original) comment as if so I do not do subtlety

[benwykes]

Hi All


No whitewalls on her Peter!

Charged battery using a plug in charger then had a run out, checked it and had discharged whilst driving. Also, had a look at the ampmeter whilst switching lights on and off and no change so therefore the battery charge wasn't compensating for the extra load.

So, concluded that my battery was not getting sufficient charge whilst driving.. got the alternator from JR Wadhams and fitted this weekend - now my ampeter runs into +ve during normal drive and flicks in to stronger +ve when lights etc are on.

Drove all the way back to the Midlands from London this weekend and back with no major issues!


Thanks all for your help!


Ben

[benwykes]

Gave her a wax and polish this weekend too:

[Deleted]

Well done Ben. She looks great! (I'm not so fond of whitewalls on the car but was referring to your shoes).

Enjoy!

[p5nij]

Lovely car you've got there Ben and it's nice to hear of another fine 'B' being back on home turf!