2.8 diesel flat battery
#13
01-31-2009 | 07:24 PM
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 17
I see this has been mentioned elsewhere on the forum but I've started a new thread because in this case the car is new!
This is my 2nd GV 2.8 and I had similar problems with the 1st. This time it's worse - 1st occasion was when the car was just a few weeks old. After a 300 mile drive the car was left for 12 days - on return the battery was completely flat. Once running after a jump start I checked and confirmed nothing had been left switched on.
Back at the main dealer they could find nothing wrong with car or battery.
A few months later it was back at the dealer for the same reason. Again they could find nothing wrong. This time though they pre-charged and installed a new battery. They also advised me that all dealers had been directed to create and maintain 'Battery Logs' for all new vehicles in stock, which suggests that Chrysler are aware of a problem.
After my wife was unable to get the kids to school the other day (you've guessed it - flat battery!) I requested thatthe dealer arrange a final inspection of the car but first to check and advise me on what procedure I must follow in order to reject the vehicle if no fault can be both identified and rectified.
I'm awaiting a response.
I believe, and have suggested as such to the dealer that the battery, and charging capacity of the vehicle is insufficient for the electrical drains imposed on it to which they offered no comment.
Anyone else had / having a similar experience?
Eventual problem may be what would I replace it with?!
This is my 2nd GV 2.8 and I had similar problems with the 1st. This time it's worse - 1st occasion was when the car was just a few weeks old. After a 300 mile drive the car was left for 12 days - on return the battery was completely flat. Once running after a jump start I checked and confirmed nothing had been left switched on.
Back at the main dealer they could find nothing wrong with car or battery.
A few months later it was back at the dealer for the same reason. Again they could find nothing wrong. This time though they pre-charged and installed a new battery. They also advised me that all dealers had been directed to create and maintain 'Battery Logs' for all new vehicles in stock, which suggests that Chrysler are aware of a problem.
After my wife was unable to get the kids to school the other day (you've guessed it - flat battery!) I requested thatthe dealer arrange a final inspection of the car but first to check and advise me on what procedure I must follow in order to reject the vehicle if no fault can be both identified and rectified.
I'm awaiting a response.
I believe, and have suggested as such to the dealer that the battery, and charging capacity of the vehicle is insufficient for the electrical drains imposed on it to which they offered no comment.
Anyone else had / having a similar experience?
Eventual problem may be what would I replace it with?!
Mine started to play up again as soon as the weather got colder end of October so back it went to Chrysler dealership for testing the Results were charging system ok, wiring ok and battery drain test ok no faults found..!!! That’s the official version. privately the Chrysler technician who has worked on my car and previous three voyagers and who has got to know me recommended that a bigger battery is recommended and that the Mopar/Red top 12 volt 48ah 800 amp space saver batteries are not up to the job for the 2.8 diesel and that the earlier 2.5L diesel model engines were fitted with a battery with more capacity typically 12volt 99ah 800amp.
So I have upgraded the battery on the 3rd November 2008 to a VARTA Silver Dynamic type E44 which is 12Volt 77ah 780 amp the battery terminals were opposite ends and the length was 3 millimetres longer than the battery tray but this was the closest bigger capacity battery to the original battery dimensions that could be fitted.
I removed the battery tray and filed the lip facing the front of the car so as to fit the new battery I also extended the negative battery cable as well as the two 30 amp smaller negative cables by 9 inches so as not to stretch the original and run it under the battery tray I also replaced the negative terminal cable clamp and fitted the battery so far the car with new battery is performing faultlessly 4 January 2009 average Dailey mileage 14-20 miles a day with 2 short journeys approx 1 mile each time with headlights on and lately temperatures -4 degrees cold starting I have kept my Mopar /Redtop battery which is less than a year old as a backup, jumper battery I don’t believe in throwing away a battery that is ok but not adequate I live in the UK I thank the company that supplied me the battery http://www.barden-uk.com/ price £110 next day delivered and also my local Auto electrical centre that supplied me the additional heavy duty negative battery cable and 30amp smaller cable AUTOELECTRIX in Swindon.
Regards
Peter
see threed https://www.chryslerforum.com/forum/...ead.php?t=6473
no problems since
#14
01-31-2009 | 08:33 PM
Thread Starter
|
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9
From: Chester UK
Hi Peter
Thanks for the post - good news in so much as it confirms there's others out there (followed your link to previous posts)
I can't believe there's only a 48ah battery to start a 2.8 diesel!! I believe some manufacturers of upmarket cars actually fit 2 batteries to accommodate all the additional electrics on board.
The car's booked in for next Thursday to get the n.side door runner replaced, the manager assures me they will be carrying out another investigation into the battery issue then too. He's advised he has some ideas with regard to the problem but is awaiting reply from Chrysler before discussing them with me.
I'll wait to hear what he has to say before mentioning your (& others) experiences.
I'll keep you posted
Thanks again!
Thanks for the post - good news in so much as it confirms there's others out there (followed your link to previous posts)
I can't believe there's only a 48ah battery to start a 2.8 diesel!! I believe some manufacturers of upmarket cars actually fit 2 batteries to accommodate all the additional electrics on board.
The car's booked in for next Thursday to get the n.side door runner replaced, the manager assures me they will be carrying out another investigation into the battery issue then too. He's advised he has some ideas with regard to the problem but is awaiting reply from Chrysler before discussing them with me.
I'll wait to hear what he has to say before mentioning your (& others) experiences.
I'll keep you posted
Thanks again!
#16
02-01-2009 | 09:01 AM
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 267
From: Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
My 2.5 CRD battery hasn't let me down, but it does seem to turn over slowly (though it always catches immediately) - would a lead acid battery be a worthwhile consideration for the future?
#17
02-01-2009 | 01:08 PM
Senior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 541
From: England
Will depend on your driving style. If you are doing a lot of stop / starts and short trips and kids watching DVD’s and playing games when you are in Tesco’s then yes get a lead acid battery. If you are doing proper runs then no stick with the spiral. It’s only if the battery get low it has a hard time charging it back up, think I read somewhere the alternator can only charge it to 80% if it never gets low it will maintain it no problem.
#18
02-02-2009 | 03:14 PM
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 267
From: Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
Will depend on your driving style. If you are doing a lot of stop / starts and short trips and kids watching DVD’s and playing games when you are in Tesco’s then yes get a lead acid battery. If you are doing proper runs then no stick with the spiral. It’s only if the battery get low it has a hard time charging it back up, think I read somewhere the alternator can only charge it to 80% if it never gets low it will maintain it no problem.
#19
02-04-2009 | 10:01 AM
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 7
Merlin,
I had the same problem. My original post is noware to be found. You suggested a Merc battery. Is this the part number? A0009823308. This is longer than the Mopar battery. Is that mean I have to extend the + and the - cables?
Thanks
ps. I have had the car checkout twice. Dealers also charged the coil battery for 24 hours. Still having problems.
I had the same problem. My original post is noware to be found. You suggested a Merc battery. Is this the part number? A0009823308. This is longer than the Mopar battery. Is that mean I have to extend the + and the - cables?
Thanks
ps. I have had the car checkout twice. Dealers also charged the coil battery for 24 hours. Still having problems.