Technical Ducato 3L Multijet 2008 ongoing start up and battery issues

[JP4814]

Hi, I own a Fiat Ducato 2008 multijet 3L van, which was a minibus in a previous life which has been plagued with mechanical issues over the past few years. It's on it's 3rd vehicle battery and 2nd starter motor in the past 3 years. Currently it will not start from cold, despite being fine over winter. I can jump start it, take it for a drive and then it will restart ok once it's warned up. It's not the battery as it is fully charged. After spending £'000s on various issues I don't know what to do for the best. The garage I use are reputable and always fix the problem but I feel there is an underlying issue causing the issues it's had starting, with the battery and the started motor. Has anyone had similar problems or have any advice please? I'm addition, the leisure battery is overheating and setting off the carbon monoxide alarm. It's less than 2 years old so should have plenty of life left in it. Again any advice would be appreciated. I'd love to get everything sorted in time for the warmer weather

 

[the green vanper]

Hello,

What are the errors when you connect MES?

What is the kind of the habitation battery and in which circumstances it does overheat?

 

[JP4814]

Hello,

What are the errors when you connect MES?

What is the kind of the habitation battery and in which circumstances it does overheat?

Hi, thanks for getting back to me. I'm not sure what MES is. The leisure battery is class B lithium battery. It overheats when charging at home. Thanks

 

[the green vanper]

MultiEcuScan, the FIAT diagnostic software. You can find details on their website, www.multiecuscan.net

No idea what class B is. I assume it's classic Li-ion battery. Have you got a producer / model? Can you post a photo of the label?

What is the charger you are using to charge it? Is it a dedicated charger?

If it is overheating, definitely stop charging and don't restart it until confirmed good, especially at home. Li-ion is very dangerous... If it is still hot some time after you've disconnected the charger, I'd take it outside away from home / van...

 

[rayc]

No idea what class B is. I assume it's classic Li-ion battery.

I think this is the NCC classification of Leisure batteries. https://www.thencc.org.uk/consumer-advice/verified-battery-list/

 

[the green vanper]

I think this is the NCC classification of Leisure batteries. https://www.thencc.org.uk/consumer-advice/verified-battery-list/

Thanks! However it says nothing about the lithium technology used, so we know nothing about precautions to take with

 

[JP4814]

Thanks! However it says nothing about the lithium technology used, so we know nothing about precautions to take with

I use a standard charger like you'd use on a campsite with an a 3 pin adapter to plug into the mains at home. Here's a link to the battery: https://www.halfords.com/motoring/b...7B9ZOdSDSitezm7-FUhoCStYQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[MSjoberg]

I use a standard charger like you'd use on a campsite with an a 3 pin adapter to plug into the mains at home. Here's a link to the battery: https://www.halfords.com/motoring/b...7B9ZOdSDSitezm7-FUhoCStYQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

That does not seem to be a lithium battery. I can not see "Lithium" mentioned and the weight suggests it is a lead battery

 

[the green vanper]

I use a standard charger like you'd use on a campsite with an a 3 pin adapter to plug into the mains at home. Here's a link to the battery: https://www.halfords.com/motoring/b...7B9ZOdSDSitezm7-FUhoCStYQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

OK, so it's not a Lithium battery, so no dedicated charger is required.

I'd also say that this battery being a lead-acid battery will produce some gases while charging. There's a breathing hole on the side, and even a second one on the opposite side, with a red plug in it.

 

[Communicator]

One or other of the vent holes should vent to the outside of the vehicle, with suitable PVC tubing. (Outside includes down through the floor.) If this had been done initially, the smoke alarm would not have operated. Best to check voltage across battery terminals while charging. If gtreater than 14.4V, the charger should be disconnected. With battery charged and disconnected, voltage should settle to about 12.8V after several hours. If it goes below 12V, the the barttery may have a faulty cell.

 

[the green vanper]

Taken from the banner website:

 

[the green vanper]

And from the CTEK manual (attached):

 

[Anthony489]

Hi

Setting aside the leisure battery for the moment, may I ask what the problem is with starting ? Does the engine crank at a healthy speed or does it turn over sluggishly ? Diesels need a minimum cranking speed to start, which is higher when they are cold.

If you do have a sluggish starter motor, I strongly recommend that the gearbox to body earth strap is replaced with a brand new one. On this model of Ducato they handle all the starter motor current, e.g. 1000 Amps initial peak and 600 Amps cranking. They corrode invisibly on the inside, and no amount of cleaning the terminals will cure this. The resistance should be no more than about a thousandth of an ohm, so they cannot be tested without specialised equipment.

Earth strap problems also affect the charging circuit from the alternator.

 

[the green vanper]

body earth strap is replaced with a brand new one

I'm replacing mines with a good quality copper welding wire. They can be cut to size in a good welding hardware store. Probably they would also be able to add terminals on both ends.

That's mine 'own' production: