Anybody had this issue?

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Headscracher

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Hi, we have an issue with our motorhome losing power, it is a fiat ducato.. a couple of weeks ago it died on us whilst travelling to Devon, we got jump started and got to a garage where we were told it was the alternator, we had a new alternator fitted but we have had the issue again after driving for 3 hours. When we turn the ignition off something zaps the battery and we need jump starting again. Just wondering if you have come across this before? Regards
 
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The garage that fitted the alternator said battery was ok but we are not convinced the battery doesn't go above 12.3v when idling
 
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If you have a 12v compressor fridge turn it of when driving or fit a b2b
 
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Headscracher said:
It is booked into a fiat garage to be looked at but if the fault doesn't happen for them to track it, I fear they will say there is nothing wrong with it
Click to expand...

Before I booked it into a Fiat garage, I would have fitted a new battery and eliminated that.
About the same price as just the book in with a Fiat garage! 🤔

Good luck! 👍

PS. As it's a Ducato, you have made certain that it's not the dreaded earth problem I presume? 🤔
 
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Check the earth straps are tight and secure to the battery/chassis
 
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A few years ago a neighbour had issues of flat battery non starting.

3 times the local VAG garage said battery was ok.
I told him I was sure the battery was the problem.

He eventually changed the battery and all was good after.

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Headscracher said:
Dreaded earth problem? 🤔
Click to expand...

Yes, some Ducato's have an earth problem when the braided earth wire under the air filter rusts and becomes poor.
Test this by connecting a jump lead between the engine and chassis.
If the vehicle then operates normally, make a permanent second earth between the original chassis earth point and the gearbox.
 
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I had similar issues with battery . Van not starting but big gaps between when it did and didn’t.
But didn’t realise as b2b and solar was charging it .

Only noticed when It was cloudy wet day no sun driving with windows wipers on full and lights on, and wouldn’t start after stopping on motorway for cuppa .
Sun came out then a hour later tried again and it started ,
So I just changed battery and problem solved that was about 8 weeks ago been fine ever since
It’s a 2019 fiat so battery was due a change due others recommendation on 👍
 
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With the engine running the battery should be showing 14 plus bolts. When switched off it should drop to 12.7 ish or plus.
If its down to 12.3 after a run it's not holding its charge.
But as said check the earth . As a temporary check use a jump lead from your negative side of the battery to a nice clean earth point.
 
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L' Hobo said:
Yes, some Ducato's have an earth problem when the braided earth wire under the air filter rusts and becomes poor.
Test this by connecting a jump lead between the engine and chassis.
If the vehicle then operates normally, make a permanent second earth between the original chassis earth point and the gearbox.
Click to expand...
This is a good bet and not too hard to resolve.
 
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Point to note , Jump Starting a Battery can cause a Power Surge that the Air Bag ECU doesn't like so be aware !!!!!

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Jimbohorlicks said:
With the engine running the battery should be showing 14 plus bolts. When switched off it should drop to 12.7 ish or plus.
If its down to 12.3 after a run it's not holding its charge.
But as said check the earth . As a temporary check use a jump lead from your negative side of the battery to a nice clean earth point.
Click to expand...
It's a smart alternator. I learned on this forum that 12.3v isn't far below where it should be when stationery. That's not to say the battery isn't done for though.
 
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Jimbohorlicks said:
With the engine running the battery should be showing 14 plus bolts. When switched off it should drop to 12.7 ish or plus.
If its down to 12.3 after a run it's not holding its charge.
But as said check the earth . As a temporary check use a jump lead from your negative side of the battery to a nice clean earth point.
Click to expand...
The OP says they have a smart alternator in which case 12.3V would be normal.

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buzz1 said:
I had similar issues with battery . Van not starting but big gaps between when it did and didn’t.
But didn’t realise as b2b and solar was charging it .

Only noticed when It was cloudy wet day no sun driving with windows wipers on full and lights on, and wouldn’t start after stopping on motorway for cuppa .
Sun came out then a hour later tried again and it started ,
So I just changed battery and problem solved that was about 8 weeks ago been fine ever since
It’s a 2019 fiat so battery was due a change due others recommendation on 👍
Click to expand...
Hi, our van is also 2019, and as a precaution I have just changed our cab battery as the cranking volts had dropped away.
Checking the plates on the battery it showed quite a lot of sulphation, so though holding 12.8v, the amperage wasn't there.
I was surprised when I first looked at the battery that is was a maintained type!! So I presume it had been assumed previously that 2019 vans would have a no maintenance required battery, so no distilled water had ever been added, which I found was low, possibly also due to the fact that topping up required removal of all the clamps, + and -, and battery position clamp to get all the caps off.
This was the original Serval factory fitted battery, I can't believe I'm the only one to have this older style of battery fitted, so this may explain why others are now having issues. It now has a superior Yuasa 5000 silver series , no maintenance battery fitted, with higher specification. I cleaned up all the clamps and earthing points while doing the battery swap over, as an abundance of caution.
Mike.
 
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I thought batteries requiring distilled water topping up maintenance became obsolete thirty years ago 🤷‍♂️

It was my job as a youngster to top up the battery in the boot on my mums mini 850
On one occasion the battery box had rusted through and the battery dropped out the bottom 🤣
 
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Pausim said:
The OP says they have a smart alternator in which case 12.3V would be normal.
Click to expand...

Really! On a cold day hardly enough to start the engine for the smart alternator to work.

But what do I know? 😄
 
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BouncyBoatFolk said:
Hi, our van is also 2019, and as a precaution I have just changed our cab battery as the cranking volts had dropped away.
Checking the plates on the battery it showed quite a lot of sulphation, so though holding 12.8v, the amperage wasn't there.
I was surprised when I first looked at the battery that is was a maintained type!! So I presume it had been assumed previously that 2019 vans would have a no maintenance required battery, so no distilled water had ever been added, which I found was low, possibly also due to the fact that topping up required removal of all the clamps, + and -, and battery position clamp to get all the caps off.
This was the original Serval factory fitted battery, I can't believe I'm the only one to have this older style of battery fitted, so this may explain why others are now having issues. It now has a superior Yuasa 5000 silver series , no maintenance battery fitted, with higher specification. I cleaned up all the clamps and earthing points while doing the battery swap over, as an abundance of caution.
Mike.
Click to expand...
You know what you have done now...I will have to go and have a look and my battery is 7 years old now
 
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