[84Zane]

Hi

I'm hoping someone can help!?

I've got a 56 plate astravan 1.7 Cdti which the battery doesn't hold charge.

I've replaced the alternator & battery but hasn't help. The emissions engine light is also on & off.

If I charge the battery overnight it will usually last acouple of days before needing to be charged again. Most days I do around 30-50 miles, so would have thought that would be enough to charge it?

After doing a bit of research come across either the glow plugs or camshaft / crankshaft sensors?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated?


Thanks

 

[Alan G H]

Is this an Astra G or H model?
Was the alternator replaced with a reconditioned or second hand one?
What voltage are you getting at the battery with the engine running (needs to be 13.8 to 14.2 volts to keep the battery charged)?
Have you checked for residual drain on the battery with everything switched off?
What is the emissions light doing, that is, when does it come on and go off? Depending on what it is doing it could possibly be a faulty glow plug, but it needs diagnosing properly.

 

[84Zane]

Thanks for your quick response Alan

Excuse the lack of knowledge but how do I know if it's a G or H model?

It was a reconditioned alternator

I've just put the multimeter on it & was getting 11.7 at idle & 12.4 at 1500-2000 revs. So its not preducing enough voltage to charge / maintain the battery. Would that be the alternator?

How do I check for residual drain?

The emission light is on constantly for 4 out of 5 journeys.

Thanks again

 

[Koicarpkeeper]

I do 4 trips of just 2 miles a day and don't get any problems with my battery not being charged.

 

[Alan G H]

Thanks for your quick response Alan

Excuse the lack of knowledge but how do I know if it's a G or H model?

It was a reconditioned alternator

I've just put the multimeter on it & was getting 11.7 at idle & 12.4 at 1500-2000 revs. So its not preducing enough voltage to charge / maintain the battery. Would that be the alternator?

How do I check for residual drain?

The emission light is on constantly for 4 out of 5 journeys.

Thanks again

A 2006 van could be either a G or an H, hence the question. Just type Astra H van into google images & you'll see if it matches yours.
12.4 volts will not be enough to charge the battery, the alternator is probably your problem, but you may want to get it properly diagnosed by an auto electrician.
If your van is an H, and has the standard CD30 radio, you can get battery voltage (and running temperature) in the radio display by using the "hidden menu", and you can also get engine fault codes by doing the "pedal test". I don't think the pedal test works on the G, but could be wrong. Search the forum for these things for the instructions.

 

[84Zane]

Had a look & it's a H model

It seems a bit unusual for the alternator to fail in less than a year doesn't it? Even for a reconditioned one.

 

[Alan G H]

Had a look & it's a H model

It seems a bit unusual for the alternator to fail in less than a year doesn't it? Even for a reconditioned one.

No, it can happen (I've had it happen twice to me, my own car and my son's car). It depends who reconditioned it. The good news is it should still be under warranty.
Has it got the standard CD30 radio? If so you can get to the hidden menu to double check the battery voltage.
To do the pedal test, press & hold the brake & accelerator pedals, turn on the ignition(without starting) and watch the mileage display. The top line will change to ECN & the lower line will cycle through a sequence of codes (if any are present). Record the codes & post them back on here. Someone with more knowledge than me may point you in the right direction.

 

[84Zane]

Had a look & it's a H model.

Sorry my mistake it's a G model, the older shape.

 

[Alan G H]

Sorry my mistake it's a G model, the older shape.

Try the pedal test anyway, it may work as at that age it may have the later loom fitted.