Starting Problems

[carmyjr]

OK I hope firstly that I have this in the correct section but here it goes. I have a 2L Diesel Avensis D4D T-Spirit that is having starting problems. I have just returned from 4 months away with work and found my car Battery to be dead. OK no problem. Once the Battery was changed it started and ran fine yet today when i went to the shop, upon returning to the car I turned the ignition back on to see the dash illuminate then cut out. Once the key is turned back on the dash does not illuminate apart from the "handbrake light" and I can hear a continuous clicking from the engine bay. The Battery reads 12V but once i turn on the ignition and check again it drops to about 10V (still high enough to start the car) Once the car is jumped it runs fine, although i do notice a slight flickering of the dash lights. Does anyone have any ideas as I love my Avensis and hate the prices garages charge to diagnose faults. Also does anyone know the Amp/Hour rating the battery should be in case I bought the wrong one. I am an electronics technician by trade so am happy with electrical testing.

Please any help will be greatly appreciated.

[Jamesbelfast]

Time to put your electrical experience to work.

Check the alternator voltage output.

[Pat2u]

Clicking sounds like a bad earth and also could be the starter motor but i woul go with the bad earth first removing Battery could have disturbed your earth strap.

[carmyjr]

Haha, sorry forgot to mention alternator is fine, reading 15V ish over Battery with engine idling. The only reason it's confusing me is that with the new Battery started fine so wondered if anyone had problems with power leakage of if anyone had the same problem.

[t-spiritpete]

Haha, sorry forgot to mention alternator is fine, reading 15V ish over battery with engine idling. The only reason it's confusing me is that with the new battery started fine so wondered if anyone had problems with power leakage of if anyone had the same problem.

Another faulty Battery? Toyota supply a 800ah Battery for around £95 on a price promise fitted free.

Pete.

[cmia]

Haha, sorry forgot to mention alternator is fine, reading 15V ish over battery with engine idling. The only reason it's confusing me is that with the new battery started fine so wondered if anyone had problems with power leakage of if anyone had the same problem.

15v is too much

should be around 14v

have you installed any new gear in the car recently?