"Batt" symbol on dashboard (1 Viewer)

[gavel]

Whenever I start the engine "batt" appears on the dashboard and the instruments behave very stiffly. The battery is up to full strength and the engine starts. What could be the problem? Thanks.

 

[TheBig1]

the alternator and charging circuit may well be faulty, especially if the Batt light remains on after the engine has started

 

[TheBig1]

sorry should have said make sure the earth strap to the engine and gearbox is not corroded

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[Larby]

Both suggestions by The Big1 are worth looking at.
I had total power loss last year due to bad/corroded connections to 12v system. Not sure of your vehicle but mine is the wonderfully located fuse board on the battery on my Fiat Ducato.

 

[pappajohn]

put a volt meter across the battery with the ignition off and note voltage.

start engine and do the same again.

same volts....alternator not working
rise in volts....alternator ok and a fault on the exciter circuit (batt light circuit)

if the engine is a quick starter then you may have quite a few starts before the battery is too low to turn the engine.

 

[cmcardle75]

Whenever I start the engine "batt" appears on the dashboard and the instruments behave very stiffly. The battery is up to full strength and the engine starts. What could be the problem? Thanks.

That is normal, unless you mean that the battery light comes on AFTER you start the engine.

If everything is working, the battery light comes on when the alternator is not spun up, but the ignition is on. i.e. before and during engine start, but should turn off within a second of the engine catching.

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[aba]

As it is a motor home it's worth noting the split charge / 12volt fridge circuit could be also part of the problem after all they are linked into the alternator / charging system.