Dash lights issue - Gransport

[toole26]

So I went to take my car out tonight and my dash lit up like a Christmas tree with 3 lights staying on, the car was trying to cut out and was undrivable. I let the car idle for a while but when driving the car the lights remained, then off and then reappeared. Could this be a weak battery? The car stood for about 3 weeks not being used, doesn't seem long. The volt gauge sat at 12/13 though so not sure. Any help would massively appreciated

 

[Oneball]

Cleaning the battery terminals and making sure they’re secure would be my first point of call.

 

[toole26]

Cleaning the battery terminals and making sure they’re secure would be my first point of call.

Do you think that could contribute to the car dropping in power, almost like it was going into a safe mode?

 

[CatmanV2]

Limp mode does not make a car try and cut out. Simply limits the revs and power available.

As suggested: Terminals, and if no better, new battery (unless you have a tender and can try and recover it)

These cars really do not like low voltage and the gauge on the dash would give more accurate readings as a compass than as a voltage measurement.

C

 

[toole26]

Limp mode does not make a car try and cut out. Simply limits the revs and power available.

As suggested: Terminals, and if no better, new battery (unless you have a tender and can try and recover it)

These cars really do not like low voltage and the gauge on the dash would give more accurate readings as a compass than as a voltage measurement.

C

I’ll give that go and see what happens. Thanks for your help

 

[philw696]

All good advice.
Get a multi meter on there and see what voltage you have with ignition on, cranking and running.

 

[toole26]

All good advice.
Get a multi meter on there and see what voltage you have with ignition on, cranking and running.

That's a good shout, I had the battery on repair mode last night so will try it today. I need to buy a multi meter

 

[CatmanV2]

That's a good shout, I had the battery on repair mode last night so will try it today. I need to buy a multi meter

Cheap as chips these days

C

 

[toole26]

Not worked unfortunately, i've got the car booked in to get looked at.

 

[philw696]

Not worked unfortunately, i've got the car booked in to get looked at.

What readings did the multi meter give you from the battery ?

 

[toole26]

What readings did the multi meter give you from the battery ?

I ordered a multimeter today, I have a charger/repair battery unit, hit repair over night and tried it this morning, cleaned the terminals but no success

 

[CatmanV2]

I ordered a multimeter today, I have a charger/repair battery unit, hit repair over night and tried it this morning, cleaned the terminals but no success

What sort of charger do you have? Batteries that have been deep discharged can only sometimes be recovered.

So my money is on the battery being rubbish and I'd throw a new one on, unless you know when it was new.

But that might be £100 down the drain if, by chance, something else is amiss.

C

 

[toole26]

What sort of charger do you have? Batteries that have been deep discharged can only sometimes be recovered.

So my money is on the battery being rubbish and I'd throw a new one on, unless you know when it was new.

But that might be £100 down the drain if, by chance, something else is amiss.

C

I want to try a brand new battery to just check, wondering if I can return it if it’s the same result.

 

[CatmanV2]

I want to try a brand new battery to just check, wondering if I can return it if it’s the same result.

Unlikely but <shrug>

C

 

[foibles]

How old is your alternator? Quite possibly kaput...

 

[philw696]

Get a multi meter on there first.
Pop into a good local garage or auto electrician and get it checked will take minutes and give them some nice snacks works everytime

 

[toole26]

How old is your alternator? Quite possibly kaput...

not sure, this had crossed my mind though as the battery is fairly new

 

[toole26]

Get a multi meter on there first.
Pop into a good local garage or auto electrician and get it checked will take minutes and give them some nice snacks works everytime

got one on route and the car is booked in for the 15th, the staff all have covid apparently so need to wait