This is a weird one

Out of the blue the battery is nearly dead and when you try to start the instrument cluster flashes on and off
If I stick the battery charger on for half an hour miraculously its got a full charge and starts with plenty of life in it,

Ive bought a battery to replace but just thought I would post the problem if someone else has had this and its more of a challenge than the battery

Thanks

I would be looking at your alternator,, check your charging voltage,, and if you have a clamp meter, the current. Wouldn't cost anything to check the battery terminals either making sure they're tight. I had a similar issue thinking it was the battery I changed it,, but the battery died for no reason one night. Put it down to short runs in winter but noticed by accident that on a 20 milers the battery voltage dropped to 13.5V for a short while. Thought no more of it then the alternator failed a couple of weeks later. 2010 RRS, TDV8
bali Blue / colour coded
side steps / flappy paddles
black perforated leather
22" overfinch
heated everything, TV,fridge ...... now with gold calipers and mud flaps !( black mud flaps that is) !!
Many years ago,,,,, 1955 series 1 landie , sometimes wish I had kept it

Initially I would have thought the battery has a couple or so dead cells that won't hold charge, what age is the battery?

Cheers
Col

The battery is a good age Ive got another one coming just hoping its not something draining the battery

Ahh,, I assumed you had fitted a new battery,, but if your still using an old one I completely agree with Col,, definitely sounds like the battery is only holding a small amount of its capacity,,,,, but check your charging rates as a matter of course. 2010 RRS, TDV8
bali Blue / colour coded
side steps / flappy paddles
black perforated leather
22" overfinch
heated everything, TV,fridge ...... now with gold calipers and mud flaps !( black mud flaps that is) !!
Many years ago,,,,, 1955 series 1 landie , sometimes wish I had kept it

Hi

Thanks for feedback
Ive got an intelligent battery charger
It has a repair facility so did that re charged then it seams ok then a couple of hours later dies

Im 95% on the battery being duff but thought I would throw the question out there in case anyone had experienced battery drain on their cars

Thanks for your help

It does sound like a dead cell in the battery. The battery charger can only do so much - once the cell is dead, it's dead. You get an apparent ok reading after charging because the plates have an excess charge on them initially so it reads good. Once that surface charge dissipates (over several hours), you get the true reading.

When you put in your new battery, it would be worth checking voltages to see if you have any losses when it's sat doing nothing, also check engine-off and idling voltages to see that the alternator is ok. If you get low voltages when idling then suspect the alternator is tired. 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

Hi

Thanks or info
The alternator is ok its kicking out 14.2v back to battery when engine running

so looks like on the money with new battery replacement

Many thanks for help with this

 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed