Ducato flat battery

greylag replied on 06/02/2017 15:19

greylag

Posted on 06/02/2017 15:19

I'm not the first and won't be the last, but.......

I went to turn the engine over and not a drop of charge in it. I went to take the battery off and immediately got stuck, I undid the front terminal and when I went to do the rear one, I came up against a metal plate with lots of terminal nuts and connections. Slacken the battery terminal and the plate with the connectors lifts up slightly, but shows no sign of moving out of the way.

I can't charge battery in place because I can't open the filler holes to release the gas, as the two holes towards the rear of the battery are covered by the plate.

Any info appreciated.

13 replies

EmilysDad replied on 07/02/2017 20:49

Member

EmilysDad

Caravanner

Posted on 07/02/2017 20:11 by rayjsj

I had similar problem and didnt top up the rear two cells, result they gassed off until they were dry, had to have a new battery.

Poor design by Fiat , they could have made it a bit easier to top up the whole battery.

Posted on 07/02/2017 20:49

But most batteries these days are maintenance free and aren't intended to be topped up with water.

greylag replied on 08/02/2017 06:38

Member

greylag

Posted on 08/02/2017 06:38

I've probably wrecked the battery then!

2005 Ducato, no sign of charging point.

Left charger on overnight, will go back to knackered battery, not holding much hope.......

So perhaps I am not as out of touch as I was beginning to think....

rayjsj......spot on, what a stupid layout.

greylag replied on 08/02/2017 09:09

Member

greylag

Posted on 08/02/2017 09:09

Well...I have just been to the van, fully expecting a warm (boiled) battery, only to find a cold battery. I then started the engine with no problem. So I have left it connected until this afternoon to replace what was used to start it up.

I live in hope the battery will be OK, but I plan to have the van serviced before any more use and will have the battery expertly checked.

It is still a stupid design.

Many thanks for the interest.