2.0HDI will not turnover - weird electrical stuff going on

[geoff]

Have a read of this for battery info and testing ...... Figures will be for lead acid type, modern ones read slightly higher V's

http://www.aa1car.com/library/2003/us20310.htm

13.5 - 14 volts is the alternator charge voltage.

[jonnie100]

I have a theory that these 2.0hdi need a tip top battery with a high cold cranking capacity.
Mine was being killed by cold morning starts every couple of days despite taking a good charge (12.8v) when recharged over night, dropping to 12.4v when cooled down and good volts (13.8v) when on van and running.
I took the nearly new bosch battery (680ccc) off my old 4 litre jag xjs and fitted to the berlingo and it behaved fine for a week. I also fitted the berlingo battery to my jag and after a couple of days, the battery felt weak when starting but would still turn it over and then run fine.
So, to get to the point, the original berlingo battery would show 12.4v before cold cranking but would fail to start the berlingo but when fitted to a 4 litre jag and showing 12.4v, cold cranking was ok.

[chrisp]

Hi all,

It turned out to indeed be the battery!! New one installed and its running great.

Sincere thanks to all who helped. I might try and fix my horn now

[Tomcat3]

Have a search on the forum on how to fix your horn there is loads on here on how to do it.