Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > Diesel Discussion

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #31  
Old 05-23-2016, 10:45 AM
vstech's Avatar
DD MOD, HVAC,MCP,Mac,GMAC
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Mount Holly, NC
Posts: 26,835
Hmm... I'm a little concerned with the 12.4 reading itself... is anything powered on during this test? the battery should read 12.7 or higher.

__________________
John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!
Reply With Quote
  #32  
Old 05-23-2016, 10:51 AM
vstech's Avatar
DD MOD, HVAC,MCP,Mac,GMAC
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Mount Holly, NC
Posts: 26,835
Quote:
Originally Posted by HuskyMan View Post
Yes, the car starts and runs fine now. I just checked it with the voltmeter again, placing the positive lead on the positive terminal of the battery and the negative lead on various points on the car. It tests 12.4 volts down to the end of the negative lead.

However, when I place the negative lead on the bolt holding the negative cable to the car, I still get a reading of zero or near zero. I then placed the negative lead on the fender, and get a zero or near zero reading. I did get around 11.5 volts when placing the negative lead on the radiator cap. When I place the negative lead on the valve cover or the thermostat housing, I get 12.4 volts.
if you are getting full voltage at the valve cover, and thermostat housing, the cable is making good connection, because all ground comes from the frame to the motor. so you're good.
__________________
John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!
Reply With Quote
  #33  
Old 05-23-2016, 11:46 AM
Banned
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 5,061
Quote:
Originally Posted by vstech View Post
if you are getting full voltage at the valve cover, and thermostat housing, the cable is making good connection, because all ground comes from the frame to the motor. so you're good.
Great! Thank you for letting me know, it gives me peace of mind. I've now got to get to work ordering the parts for the front end for this beast.

Always something to do.......one of these days I"ll get the money up to buy a new car but until then, I have a permanent date with Mr. Wrench.
Reply With Quote
  #34  
Old 05-23-2016, 11:07 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 5,924
Quote:
Originally Posted by HuskyMan View Post
The yellowish stuff on the top of the battery is residual from spraying the terminals with battery cleaner (picture enclosed). BTW, my local car parts place is going to run an exhaustive test on the battery to determine if there are shorted/open cells, etc. Their battery testing machine is a lot better than my simple two buck battery hydrometer. I'll report back with the results of the test.

Is it just me or has the price of batteries gone UP?
Yes new batteries have increased in price in my area. Many areas have so called seconds in new batteries. They are very cheap in my area and in general do not seem to be bad. I suspect there are many reasons why they may be new seconds.

Including overproduction of a size type or where on the shelves too long is another thought plus of course under test conditions they could not reach their amperage ratings. A lot of people I know locally are using them with no complaints. Usually around 40.00 here. We have no new battery producers locally so the seconds should be available in most areas I suspect.

I would not depend on a battery test in your case. After driving the car for awhile. Check the voltage at the battery with the engine running. It should be thirteen volts plus but not higher than say 14.5. turn the car off. You can check it then and see what you have. It is far better to let the battery sit for a couple of hours though as then the surface charge is gone. It has to be 12.7 to be considered a probable good battery. At 12.4 0r 12.5 it has seen better days and needs replaced.

Doing it this way also tells you the general state of your charging system. For example if your meter only reads say 12.4 across the battery with the engine running you either have a constant on glow plug situation when the engine is running or a weak alternator or connection problem.

I also should mention it is a waste of money in my opinion to buy a new battery at retail if the car is not in constant service. The modern battery does not like sitting around unused that much and you can buy several seconds over time for the price of one new one at retail.

Last edited by barry12345; 05-23-2016 at 11:28 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #35  
Old 05-24-2016, 12:42 PM
Banned
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 5,061
I just put the battery on a charger. It was a little low, could have been because it had been sitting on the shelf for some time before I bought it. It has a three year replacement guarantee so if it doesn't charge, I'll take it back.
Reply With Quote
  #36  
Old 05-24-2016, 09:26 PM
Banned
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 5,061
The battery shows a full charge on the charger so I performed a reading with my hand dandy voltmeter. It now reads 12.74 volts! The battery must have been down somewhat due to sitting on the shelf at the car parts store.

Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:25 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page