Batteries.... need quik advice

[Delica D]

Hi, all

Just picked up my '93 Delica Star Wagon earlier this week (lovin' it!!) but the batteries don't seem to be holding a charge. The van sat on a consignment lot for 90 days and the owner who sold to me said he had to keep an eye on it cuz the lot wouldn't check it after test drives and the lights were left on, draining the batteries. But I jumped last night, cruised for abot 1.5 hrs :) .... turned over, but wouldn't catch the next morning. Any suggestions and solutions? Also considering taking to Japanoid for assessing? Any comments on service, repairs and costing? Alternative shops?

Mucho thanks, DD

[FalcoColumbarius]

Hi D, Welcome to Delica Canada

There is a place on Boundary that I go to called "Polar Batteries" I got a pair of deep cycle, cold cranking 550 ampere Globelites.
They have other brand name batteries, as well.
Here is a link to Polar Batteries

Falco.

[mararmeisto]

Hi, all

Just picked up my '93 Delica Star Wagon earlier this week (lovin' it!!) but the batteries don't seem to be holding a charge. The van sat on a consignment lot for 90 days and the owner who sold to me said he had to keep an eye on it cuz the lot wouldn't check it after test drives and the lights were left on, draining the batteries. But I jumped last night, cruised for abot 1.5 hrs :) .... turned over, but wouldn't catch the next morning. Any suggestions and solutions? Also considering taking to Japanoid for assessing? Any comments on service, repairs and costing? Alternative shops?

Mucho thanks, DD

Either your batteries are no good, or your charging system is not charging. Herein lies the issue of not having a voltmeter on the dash any more...

[Meanman]

Hi, all

.... turned over, but wouldn't catch the next morning. Any suggestions and solutions? Also considering taking to Japanoid for assessing? Any comments on service, repairs and costing? Alternative shops?

Mucho thanks, DD

Did you do a proper start up procedure? turn key to on position listen for first audable click...wait for second click then attempt to start? If the van turns over then its likely not the batteries.

[jessef]

Two things and any shop will do it :

1. Have the alternator tested. Takes 2 mins.

If your alternator is putting out volts and charging, then you're good there.

If the alternator is not charging, then either have it rebuilt or buy a reconditioned one. Prices for both range from $150 up to $700. Search on the forum here.

2. Buy a new battery or batteries depending on whether you have one or two in there. Don't cheap out on batteries. The diesel engine takes a lot of amps to crank the starter and turn over.

[Delica D]

Hi, all

Thanks for the responses... took the scoot to CVI and they serviced the alternator ($245) and replaced a couple of the terminal connections ($25) with labour ($85) = total $435, almost exactly as quoted pre-work.

I have another concern that perhaps some may comment on... my temp gauge climbs high very quickly, about 75% within 10-15 mins. The engine performance doesn't really seem to change... could the sensor be bad? Do these gauges have a history of being inaccurate? It climbs pretty consistently, the needle doesn't float around... when I stopped driving it dropped to 50% quite quickly.

Also, I noticed when I brought the Delica home from purchase, the front rims were very hot, too hot to touch! The drive wasn't far, from Horseshoe Bay to South Main St, but a lot of stop & go thru town....

Any feedback on these issues would be greatly appreciated! Thanks, Doug

[jessef]

Throw some more $ at it.

Unless you have new batteries in there, I would replace them.

The last thing you want is for old batteries to take out the voltage regulator on your new alternator only to have to get a new one again.

Happened to me many moons ago. Went through two alternators only to find it was the batteries killing them.

Your front calipers are seized. Replace them asap along with new rotors and pads.

The rotors and pads will be toast from the heat. You'll see heat scoring on the rotors.

When doing brakes, always replace in pairs (left/right side)

Have CVI test your cooling system.

Will probably need to replace the waterpump, thermostat and rad. Don't neglect the cooling system on these rigs. Very important. A lot of blown engines because of poorly maintained cooling systems on the L300.