Anybody had this issue?

[Headscracher]

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

 

[SpeedyDux]

My 2017 Ducato is now on its 2nd replacement starter battery. They don't seem to be built to last.

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

You know what you have done now...I will have to go and have a look and my battery is 7 years old now

Sorry .

 

[Headscracher]

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.

So the connection seems to be good and tight

 

[gus-lopez]

So the connection seems to be good and tight

but does it look frayed , as though it is rusty? are the points it bolts too clean & with no corrosion? Only way is to put a jump lead from battery negative direct on to the engine.

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[Burge]

Sorry if I was unclear, I was NOT suggesting a jump start, just use the jump lead as a temporary Earth for testing.

My Post was to the OP as he said they have Jump Started the MH a few times , was just a Heads Up to him

 

[Headscracher]

but does it look frayed , as though it is rusty? are the points it bolts too clean & with no corrosion? Only way is to put a jump lead from battery negative direct on to the engine.

Yes all like new

 

[autorouter]

When we turn the ignition off something zaps the battery and we need jump starting again

So what exactly happens? Did you test the battery voltage when it happens? Does the battery lose its power, and the voltage goes down suddenly? Or is the battery voltage OK, but the power can't get through, maybe a bad connection?

 

[Headscracher]

So what exactly happens? Did you test the battery voltage when it happens? Does the battery lose its power, and the voltage goes down suddenly? Or is the battery voltage OK, but the power can't get through, maybe a bad connection?

The reading drops to around 10.5v and after jump start it returns to 12.3 - 12.4

 

[Headscracher]

The reading drops to around 10.5v and after jump start it returns to 12.3 - 12.4

It tries to turn over but not enough power, then it will be ok for a while before it happens again. If we go A to B without stopping there is no issue, the issue comes when we stop whether it be for an hour or 10 mins it seems to die

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[autorouter]

It might be a battery fault, as others have suggested. 10.5V is typical of a shorted cell, where only 5 cells are working instead of 6, and 5/6 of 12.6V is 10.5V.

 

[pappajohn]

The battery should be 12.9v ish fully charged, after standing for half an hour

12.6v ish

 

[Headscracher]

It might be a battery fault, as others have suggested. 10.5V is typical of a shorted cell, where only 5 cells are working instead of 6, and 5/6 of 12.6V is 10.5V.

I agree that makes sense, the only thing niggling is we spoke with a battery specialist who said the battery is fine, if it's good it will work and if it's bad it won't? He had not tested the battery only listened to what the problem was