BATTERY ISOLATER.

[mtbcol]

Hello all

Our new (to us) 2011 ex British Gas fwd, mwb, 2.2 tdci has a battery isolater fitted (attached to the drivers seat base). Can I remove/disable it? and if so how?

I would leave it but, every time it operates (without me setting it, so it must be on a time delay) I have to use the key to unlock the doors, it wipes out the trip recorder, and I have to put in the radio code

Thank you.

Colin.

[chris72a]

Hello all

Our new (to us) 2011 ex British Gas fwd, mwb, 2.2 tdci has a battery isolater fitted (attached to the drivers seat base). Can I remove/disable it? and if so how?

I would leave it but, every time it operates (without me setting it, so it must be on a time delay) I have to use the key to unlock the doors, it wipes out the trip recorder, and I have to put in the radio code

Thank you.

Colin.

Sounds like it could be hooked up incorrectly it shouldn't do that can you find out the brand and model and check out the wiring diagram?

[mtbcol]

Hi

I'll have look a tomorrow as It has a name on it. The garage we got it from said it was due to the batteries (two fitted) having a low charge and once we have used it for a while it should be o.k. Not sure I believe this though.

[Altransit]

If you have two batteries, then the front one needs charging or more likely, replacing

[mtbcol]

Thanks Altransit.

Yes I do have two batteries fitted. Does the one at the back of the seat start the vehicle then? I assumed it was the other way around. Unfortunately its a little sluggish turning over as well. Knowing my luck both are in need of replacement. Still 3 months warranty!

I'll give it a charge over the weekend and a run and see how it goes. if still no good I have the one off our old mk6 that seems good so might try and swop it. Failing that, the garage who sold it can replace it/them (only had the van a couple of weeks).

Is this an almost definite that this is the problem or should I also look at something else /getting it removed?

Colin.

[Altransit]

It's a common problem with twin batteries, have a look around the forum, you'll see how often it crops up. Yes, the rear one starts the van

[mtbcol]

Thanks' again Altransit. Hopefully I will eventually go from to on transit matters!

A great forum, and very helpfull people on it!

I'm sure I will be asking again soon while we get to know our Mk7 better!

Colin.

[Beaker]

The rear battery starts the engine, the front battery powers the internal lights, radio, immobiliser and locks while the ignition is off.

I did not start mine for a few days recently and the front battery had gone flat. It's only a piddly little 65Ah job so does not hold a lot of juice.

[Frag]

This must be a transco type add on,I did a AWD with the same system.
You have to unlock door with key,as this isolater disconnects the aux battery.
Open door,and push button on side of seat box everthing then works.
All interior lights,hazards cluster radio etc.
It can then be locked with remote,but won't reopen after isolater has tripped again.

[mtbcol]

Hi Frag

Yes, that's exactly what I have and what it does!

Can I disconnect it easily? or bypass it? Its not much of an anti theft device anyway, as if anyone broke the window and pressed the button it would provide power again. I would rather not lose the radio code, trip counter, central locking each time I use the van in exchange for losing the battery isolater.

So maybe NOT a dodgy battery/s ?

[Altransit]

So maybe NOT a dodgy battery/s ?

Maybe not after all, I can't see why they would fit an isolator to the non-starter battery, unless it's to prevent the rear doors being opened using the C/Locking.

Sounds like you may need to bypass the isolator switch, and see how the batteries perform without it

[mtbcol]

Getting back to me being , to bypass the isolator would it just be a matter of permanently joining the wires together that go into the box with the push button on? Not too sure about auto electrics and don't want to end up with a black, smouldering shell, were our new van used to be

[mtbcol]

Managed to find out some more info. This unit is basically to prevent flat batteries.

As soon as it senses the battery charge has dropped below a certain voltage, it isolates the battery to save it for starting. This can be done manually (with the red button) or automatically (voltage sensing? and/or timer? ). So I may still be I have a dodgy battery and its cutting it off to save power for starting (?).

I'm going to try and contact the company tomorrow to see if I can find out more.

Still think i'm going to do away with it.

Thanks for everyone's input.

Colin.

[Altransit]

You did say that the starter sounded weak, so it's still possible that there are issues with the batteries, and the isolator is actually doing it's job

[mtbcol]

I think sir, you are probably spot on with your original diagnosis!

For some reason I thought it was a security feature

As its only now a private vehicle I think i'll take it off if I can easily, and just monitor the batteries as "normal" and swear about it when I go out to start it and can't!

Thanks everyone. Expect i'll be after advice again soon.

Colin.