Mk6 Charging issue

[g_tizzle]

Hi All, I have my sisters Mk6 2004 2.4l Puma and its developed a charging or charge drainage issue. I've checked F18 fuse (fine) and R15 relay (this clicks when removed and replaced while engine running). The engine will turn over fine but if not used for over 24 hours the battery cant turn it over. Put the 7 stage smart charger on and shes fine, no faults detected by the charger, this thing is good at picking up faulty batteries.

Anyhow, I've read a few posts about chaffed wires over the top of the engine, these look fine, I can't quite see the wire getting to the alternator but I have been told by a mechanic who did battery test that its all good at that end. I have seen this red wire that has corroded that comes off the jumper lead positive point right next to the engine bay fuse box (see attachments) which has about a inch missing - I have no idea what this wire is or does...

Could this be my issue? There is voltage at the red tab end but not below?

Located Newcastle, Australia

Thanks in advance

[knobby1]

That's the glow plug "inline fuse" which has blown....you may have a dead glow plug or three, shorted to ground.

Have you actually properly load tested the battery..?? They can test ok voltage wise until under load.

Lord Knobrot

[g_tizzle]

That's the glow plug "inline fuse" which has blown....you may have a dead glow plug or three, shorted to ground.

Have you actually properly load tested the battery..?? They can test ok voltage wise until under load.

Lord Knobrot

Thanks Lord Knobrot and please excuse my ignorance but I'm pretty clueless when it comes to auto electrics over and above installing an Aux socket...

Would this affect the battery when the vehicle is off? IE: the charge drain?

How should I fix this? Can I simply bridge that gap with wire? Must I get the glow plugs replaced?

My local Landy mechanic (I have 02 Disco) did a load test on the battery while they did the equivalent to your MOT and said the battery was still good for a while, but had no idea charging issue. I thought being a Puma motor they were a safe bet.

Thanks in advance

[knobby1]

Thanks Lord Knobrot and please excuse my ignorance but I'm pretty clueless when it comes to auto electrics over and above installing an Aux socket...

Would this affect the battery when the vehicle is off? IE: the charge drain?

How should I fix this? Can I simply bridge that gap with wire? Must I get the glow plugs replaced?

My local Landy mechanic (I have 02 Disco) did a load test on the battery while they did the equivalent to your MOT and said the battery was still good for a while, but had no idea charging issue. I thought being a Puma motor they were a safe bet.

Thanks in advance

The blown glow wire won't effect the charging....however, you need to find out why it has blown in the first place...as mentioned, it'll probably be a dead plug or two. The old "lower powered" TDDi engines, 75ps & 90ps can get along fine without glow plugs, the higher power ones like the 120ps tend to struggle a bit when it's cold...Not sure about the TDCi jobbies.

I'm in Aus too mate...Brivegas.

Lord Knobrot

[g_tizzle]

[/quote]The blown glow wire won't effect the charging....however, you need to find out why it has blown in the first place...as mentioned, it'll probably be a dead plug or two. The old "lower powered" TDDi engines, 75ps & 90ps can get along fine without glow plugs, the higher power ones like the 120ps tend to struggle a bit when it's cold...Not sure about the TDCi jobbies.

I'm in Aus too mate...Brivegas.

Lord Knobrot[/quote]

BrisVegas rocks, awesome place! We've just got out of Sydney up to Newcastle, so much better!

Once this thing is running, it hums along, no issues with loss of power. I just dont want to return it to my sister with this battery issue. If i can fix it, I will but if I cant I'd rather tell her what the issue is.

Do you reckon the shorted to earthed plugs would cause the drain?

[knobby1]

Do you reckon the shorted to earthed plugs would cause the drain?

No..!

Lord Knobrot

[KING OF ENGLAND]

This is what I would try
Make sure battery is fully charged
When you have finished using the van
Park it up disconnect the battery
Leave for 24 hours
Reconnect battery see if van starts
If it does then something is pulling the battery down overnight
If it doesn’t start got to be battery

[g_tizzle]

This is what I would try
Make sure battery is fully charged
When you have finished using the van
Park it up disconnect the battery
Leave for 24 hours
Reconnect battery see if van starts
If it does then something is pulling the battery down overnight
If it doesn’t start got to be battery

Great idea King, will do!

[g_tizzle]

This is what I would try
Make sure battery is fully charged
When you have finished using the van
Park it up disconnect the battery
Leave for 24 hours
Reconnect battery see if van starts
If it does then something is pulling the battery down overnight
If it doesn’t start got to be battery

BAttery seems fine, now the search begins.

Where to start 1st - any pointers?