R34 Dont Know Whats Wrong

[MaShi]

Hey guys recently my r34 has been having some issues, when i start up the engine it makes a sound similar to when you try to start a engine thats already on. and also this morning when i started the car and left it to warm up but when i steped on the breaks my car nearly turn off, all the centre console lights dimmed and almost went out and when i released the breaks they turned back on. Also i have noticed 2 lights that turn on when i just turn on the power in my car, i dont think these 2 lights stayed on before.

Is this an issue with the battery? i have attached pics of my battery and centre console lights below.

Cheers

[Aggroman]

Sounds like discharged battery or possibly alternator is on its last legs which is killing your battery

[MaShi]

is it safe to drive to a supercheap to get a new battery? or will it die on me half way?..

Edited June 30, 2014 by MaShi

[Sinista32]

not sure if you will make it to supercheap nor what the issue is for certain

but all lights should come "hard on", at least temporarily, when you turn the ignition to start.

Part of the startup check procedure

at least that's what I thought.

-> I think Dave is most likely correct "Sounds like discharged battery or possibly alternator is on its last legs which is killing your battery"

Edited June 30, 2014 by Sinista32

[MaShi]

those 3 lights are constantly on untill i turn on the engine. i just turned on the car again and it seems ok but when i step on the breaks my head lights and console lights dim for a fraction of a second.

also i dont drive my car often, maybe once a week at most as i live close to my work. yesterday i had to drive to head office in ryde and it was ok, the engine did sound abit funny on ignition.

Edited June 30, 2014 by MaShi

[Sinista32]

Recharge your battery or better still grab a newie (if that battery is old).

make certain when you park that all ancillarys are off, doors/boot closed properly etc..

do you have an alarm/immobiliser ? These can draw down on power when vehicles aren't used often.

if your still concerned then buy a charger and put it on trickle charge if parked for lengthy times (or disconnect battery terminals)

however if you do disconnect the battery then some alarms will go off till reconnected.

Edited July 1, 2014 by Sinista32

[MaShi]

yeah i think i'm going to head to battery world and grab a new battery and see how it goes.

[MaShi]

No i dont have an alarm or immobiliser.

just got back from the mechanics, he tested my battery and said it was fine, the issue also seems intermittent as none of the problems happend when i was there. He said it could be the start up motor or the alternator or a power leak.

what should i do? have you guys had any similar experiences?

cheers

Edited July 1, 2014 by MaShi

[Aggroman]

well that ticking sound u hear when trying to start is your starter motor not getting enough power to move the little wheel forward and spin which is what starts the car.

how did the mechanic test the battery? just with a multimeter?

My previous battery didnt start my car after 2 weeks, turned out hte battery was overcharged after going flat which in turned damaged the cells. It was still outputting 14.7v but didnt have the amperage to start the car. This is probably what you are looking at.

My suggestion is to take the battery out, take it down to Battery world (I use the penrith branch as they are awesome) and they will test it properly and give you an answer, They will also give you a loaner battery to test the issue so you can take that one home and see if the car starts straight away. If it does then its your battery and u have to spend $100-140 on a new one.

If its not the issue my next bet is your alternator which will be a prick of a job to do solo if you dont have the mechanical know how to pull it out yourself. That will then have to get sent away to be tested/replaced. If it is your alternator my suggestion would be to go to the for sale section of the forum find someone who is wrecking a R34 and buy one there if you are tight for $$.

Power leak doesnt make sense as it would have to be draining to a source ie A light. it doesnt just evaporate. Since you said u had no alarm/immobiliser I dont see this being the issue unless you have a boost controller/stereo wired direct to the battery so its always on which I doubt!

Thats all the advice I can give you, start with the simple cheap options and work your way down. Its a process of elimination that you have to follow

[MaShi]

yeah he tested it with a multimeter

The car starts fine now, its just sometimes especially in the morning that this will happen. but the main thing that worried me today is when i steped on the breaks all the lights in the dash went out and the engine nearly died.

i'm going to take the battery to battery world now and get them to test it again.

[25RBGT]

Yep,

battery not holding enough charge. It slowly drains over night.

Battery was good this arvo because your alternator charged it today driving.