Dead (non-leisure) battery in Chausson Flash 03 (1 Viewer)

[dutts303]

Hey,

I have a 2013 Chausson Flash 03 (on a Ford Transit base). Despite my best efforts in keeping on top of over-lockdown maintenance, I fear I may have been doing more harm than good in going out and starting it every couple of weeks and leaving it running for a bit (possibly not long enough) or going on the occasional drive (no more than 5-10 miles though), so as predicted I came to start it today and it's dead as a dodo.

Attempts to jump start it from my X-Trail (1.6 litre diesel) or BMW (3 litre diesel) have been unsuccessful, you can tell it gets a little further than before but doesn't seem to have enough juice to properly start. Lots of clicking heard and the starter motor for a second before the dash lights fade and it all stops.

Admit I've not had masses of experience in jump starting, and the few times I've jump started a car it's started ok but appreciate this is a van with I imagine a much bigger battery.

I read you should leave the cables connected for a while with the donor car running to help give the dead battery some charge, not sure how long for though? Also read elsewhere to have someone rev the donor car while attempting to start the dead van, could that help?

Failing that I suppose I'll need to get the battery out which leads me to my next question; I read that it's under the drivers seat in a Transit, is that still the case in the Chausson? No mention of it anywhere in the manuals I got.

Has anyone managed to replace a battery in a Chausson Flash? Any tips?

Rich

 

[Richard n Ann]

Battery will probably be knackered or if not knackered totally it will now have much reduced capacity, at 7 years old too, I would replace it rather than risk getting stuck somewhere.

If you put one of these cheap Bluetooth monitors on it in future you can keep an eye on terminal voltage

Amazon product ASIN B07RWGCHTH
Just 2 fork terminals on the battery, it must be the simplest gadget ever to fit.

 

[dutts303]

Battery will probably be knackered or if not knackered totally it will now have much reduced capacity, at 7 years old too, I would replace it rather than risk getting stuck somewhere.

I suspect as much, and didn't own the van from new so can only assume it could well be the original battery too.

Thanks for the tip on the monitor, not seen them before but will definitely grab one and fit it on a replacement when I figure out how to get to it!

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[AXO66]

Chances are it’s under the driver's seat.
The seats are heavy...I’m told.

might also be worth taking a photo of the wiring before removing. Mine looks like a spagetti junction, from what I can see , and have made a mental note to photograph, if I have to replace. Might be perfectly straightforward of course.

 

[XxAnthxX]

I suspect as much, and didn't own the van from new so can only assume it could well be the original battery too.

Thanks for the tip on the monitor, not seen them before but will definitely grab one and fit it on a replacement when I figure out how to get to it!

I get mine from here.....very quick delivery too.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/710-...0001&campid=5338547443&icep_item=264502444967

 

[Jev88]

On a separate note. Can't see any reason to keep starting the engine and going nowhere....

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Lenny HB]

On a separate note. Can't see any reason to keep starting the engine and going nowhere....

Only if you want to bugger the engine.

 

[DandG5515]

Had this problem trying to jumpstart my transit Moho a couple of years ago. Could not jump start it using connections under bonnet. On mine under front of drivers seat has A cover with a turn button on, release button and pull plastic cover forward. Slide seat forward and you may be able to access battery terminals to get a better charge or jump. If the seat has been retro fitted with swivel may be totally different. I access mine like that and put a £15 battery charger on it. To remover batteries (mine has 2) you need to slide seat backwards and forwards to see star drive Bolts to remove seat. Before lifting seat out put something on ground to put seat on before lifting out as heavy and Restricted by seatbelt attached but can be done.

 

[DandG5515]

If you search “transit cab solar” on this site thread 1 & 3 have useful pictures. Sorry unable to cut and paste.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[dutts303]

On a separate note. Can't see any reason to keep starting the engine and going nowhere....

Yes, my bad, I mistakenly assumed that starting it and leaving it running for half an hour or so while I did other stuff in the van would keep the battery healthy during lockdown.... I know the error of my ways now.

Bit of an update, finally managed to get it jumped from a bigger diesel donor car and took it out for a long drive last night. Suspect I've killed/damaged the battery though still and have lost trust in it (don't want this happening to me on a site, or worse, on holiday!) so will be looking to replace it.

 

[StephDeLux]

Replace it with the same type. If it’s an AGM and it’s the original battery, then the charging system is for AGM and will kill a flood battery. Conversely, if it is a flood, don’t put an AGM, the charging system would never be able to charge it. Not that there would be any reason to replace a flood with AGM, but just in case.

 

[Jev88]

Yes, my bad, I mistakenly assumed that starting it and leaving it running for half an hour or so while I did other stuff in the van would keep the battery healthy during lockdown.... I know the error of my ways now.

Bit of an update, finally managed to get it jumped from a bigger diesel donor car and took it out for a long drive last night. Suspect I've killed/damaged the battery though still and have lost trust in it (don't want this happening to me on a site, or worse, on holiday!) so will be looking to replace it.

Glad you didn't take offence at my comment - but you now know it is fairly pointless starting running and turning off for no reason. Have you measured voltage at battery when engine running, 15 minutes after switch off and again after a few hours at rest? This will tell you if the charging system is okay and point to a good or duff battery. A GOOD battery should still read 12.6 to 12.8V after a few hours rest (cheap multimeters are not deadly accurate but good enough to show you if it can keep that charge).

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[dutts303]

Glad you didn't take offence at my comment - but you now know it is fairly pointless starting running and turning off for no reason. Have you measured voltage at battery when engine running, 15 minutes after switch off and again after a few hours at rest? This will tell you if the charging system is okay and point to a good or duff battery. A GOOD battery should still read 12.6 to 12.8V after a few hours rest (cheap multimeters are not deadly accurate but good enough to show you if it can keep that charge).

I haven’t, but I shall. Thanks for the help.

 

[dutts303]

Replace it with the same type. If it’s an AGM and it’s the original battery, then the charging system is for AGM and will kill a flood battery. Conversely, if it is a flood, don’t put an AGM, the charging system would never be able to charge it. Not that there would be any reason to replace a flood with AGM, but just in case.

It’s Ford branded so going to take a punt that it’s the original factory fit one (making it seven years old now), thanks for the advice, if I replace I’ll make sure I replace with the same type.

 

[dutts303]

A GOOD battery should still read 12.6 to 12.8V after a few hours rest (cheap multimeters are not deadly accurate but good enough to show you if it can keep that charge).

Just went out and measured 12.1V across the terminals of the battery under the driver’s seat. Hasn’t been started since my drive out after jump starting it last night so does that sound low?

I won’t have a chance to start and drive it today but will do tomorrow and take the other measurements as you suggest.

Rich

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[gus-lopez]

Just went out and measured 12.1V across the terminals of the battery under the driver’s seat. Hasn’t been started since my drive out after jump starting it last night so does that sound low?

Yes that is basically dead at 50%

Hey,

I have a 2013 Chausson Flash 03 (on a Ford Transit base). Despite my best efforts in keeping on top of over-lockdown maintenance, I fear I may have been doing more harm than good in going out and starting it every couple of weeks and leaving it running for a bit (possibly not long enough) or going on the occasional drive (no more than 5-10 miles though), so as predicted I came to start it today and it's dead as a dodo.

Attempts to jump start it from my X-Trail (1.6 litre diesel) or BMW (3 litre diesel) have been unsuccessful, you can tell it gets a little further than before but doesn't seem to have enough juice to properly start. Lots of clicking heard and the starter motor for a second before the dash lights fade and it all stops.

Admit I've not had masses of experience in jump starting, and the few times I've jump started a car it's started ok but appreciate this is a van with I imagine a much bigger battery.

I read you should leave the cables connected for a while with the donor car running to help give the dead battery some charge, not sure how long for though? Also read elsewhere to have someone rev the donor car while attempting to start the dead van, could that help?

Failing that I suppose I'll need to get the battery out which leads me to my next question; I read that it's under the drivers seat in a Transit, is that still the case in the Chausson? No mention of it anywhere in the manuals I got.

Has anyone managed to replace a battery in a Chausson Flash? Any tips?

Rich

The AA man said when attending mine that transits require a 100% battery on a good day & that the "jump start " points aren't worth a toss. I'd already found that out having failed to start it with a car & another 100% battery connected to them.We pushed seat forward & he connected to the battery.

 

[dutts303]

Yes that is basically dead at 50%

I’m confused, is this a 24V battery then?

 

[Richard n Ann]

I’m confused, is this a 24V battery then?

No. 12v is about 50% charged for a 12v battery

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[dutts303]

No. 12v is about 50% charged for a 12v battery

aaah I see, and 12.6 to 12.8 is fully charged?

 

[gus-lopez]

aaah I see, and 12.6 to 12.8 is fully charged?

yes, 12,8v

 

[dutts303]

yes, 12,8v

I see, thanks.

looks like I’m replacing it then, lol

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Jev88]

I see, thanks.

looks like I’m replacing it then, lol

Yes - it is now a duff battery.

 

[dutts303]

An update on this. I got a set of torx sockets and lifted the drivers seat to get to the battery - tricky hidden fifth bolt caused me a bit of pain as it required the seat to be swivelled 90 degrees to the right, don't ever swivel the seat this way so it was very stiff but sorting out my stiff swivel is for another time =).

Any recommendations on a replacement battery? Ford want £160, but looking for any other makes that you guys have used?

This is the label on the current battery, and here are its dimensions:
32cm wide
18cm deep
17.5cm high

Edit: Apologies for the sideways picture, here's the (what I think) relevant details:

Silver Calcium
80 Ah, 700 A (SAE)

 

[Jev88]

An update on this. I got a set of torx sockets and lifted the drivers seat to get to the battery - tricky hidden fifth bolt caused me a bit of pain as it required the seat to be swivelled 90 degrees to the right, don't ever swivel the seat this way so it was very stiff but sorting out my stiff swivel is for another time =).

Any recommendations on a replacement battery? Ford want £160, but looking for any other makes that you guys have used?

This is the label on the current battery, and here are its dimensions:
32cm wide
18cm deep
17.5cm high

Edit: Apologies for the sideways picture, here's the (what I think) relevant details:

Silver Calcium
80 Ah, 700 A (SAE)

Halfords Trade Card gets a god percentage off.
The larger battery companies list the dimensions of their batteries for you too.
Under bonnet battery for the Ducato is commonly 017 or 019 (main difference is height of battery)