Maruti Esteem - Battery problem with A\C.

Speedbuggy · 19th May 2010, 19:42

Hi everyone,

This is my second post on the forum, but i am a regular on this website but dont post much. However I have the website open for 9 hours in a day. I have an issue with my maruti esteem. The battery in my car goes down when i put the AC on for a long distance. Please let me know if i have to get the battery checked or should i check the compressor or the electricals?

viky_s · 19th May 2010, 20:15

i think you get your alternator checked. Confirm if it is charging the battery properly.

cheers
vikram

Hashim · 19th May 2010, 21:06

Do this, park the car in silent place where you can hear engine sound. Start the car and when at idle switch on the AC. If the RPM does not increase slightly or rather goes down then you have to get the electrical checked. There is a system to increase RPM when AC is switched on so that extra load which compressor puts on engine does not effect pickup and generation of current from alternator.

If above works fine then it maybe just that your battery is weak and cannot take load of compressor clutch + blower motor + condenser fan + radiator fan as these run all together when AC is on. Go to a battery shop (guys at amaron are honest at least in my area and don't try to push you to buy new battery unless current one is not ok) and get the battery voltage + gravity checked.

Post more details please like car model (mpfi/carb) and battery age.

SirAlec · 20th May 2010, 13:45

How is the car? How old is the battery.?

IndrojitSircar · 23rd May 2010, 02:09

It seems to be a problem with the alternator. Get the battery and the alternator checked. How long back did you get the alternator checked ?

Speedbuggy · 27th May 2010, 01:17

Hey thanks for your valuable inputs guys. I have changed the battery from Amaron to Pristolite about 8 months ago and its been about 3000 kms since my car has had a service. Anyways will Check the battery and teh alternator. Once again thank you guys for the inputs.

sgiitk · 27th May 2010, 16:01

An AC can draw about 10A (2A clutch + 8A blower) + additional 6A for the fan. Thus a defective alternator or a loose belt are the suspects. I have had AC cars since 1980 incl. some I ACed myself.

Speedbuggy · 27th May 2010, 20:43

Hmmm this sounds interesting. I do hear a slight belt noise when i drive. Anyways i will visit the Mec this weekend and get it sorted out.

@ sgiitk thank you for your experienced inputs.

Jaggu · 28th May 2010, 10:47

Check alternator and how its charging the battery. I think its weak charging causing drain on the battery. Also do you see the charging light glowing a lil when idling with AC on? Thats a sure shot sign of bad charging.

19th May 2010, 19:42	#1
Speedbuggy Newbie Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 4 Thanked: 0 Times	Maruti Esteem - Battery problem with A\C. Hi everyone, This is my second post on the forum, but i am a regular on this website but dont post much. However I have the website open for 9 hours in a day. I have an issue with my maruti esteem. The battery in my car goes down when i put the AC on for a long distance. Please let me know if i have to get the battery checked or should i check the compressor or the electricals?
	() Thanks

19th May 2010, 20:15	#2
viky_s BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Nashik Posts: 129 Thanked: 51 Times	i think you get your alternator checked. Confirm if it is charging the battery properly. cheers vikram
	() Thanks

19th May 2010, 21:06	#3
Hashim BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Aligarh Posts: 449 Thanked: 49 Times View My Garage	Do this, park the car in silent place where you can hear engine sound. Start the car and when at idle switch on the AC. If the RPM does not increase slightly or rather goes down then you have to get the electrical checked. There is a system to increase RPM when AC is switched on so that extra load which compressor puts on engine does not effect pickup and generation of current from alternator. If above works fine then it maybe just that your battery is weak and cannot take load of compressor clutch + blower motor + condenser fan + radiator fan as these run all together when AC is on. Go to a battery shop (guys at amaron are honest at least in my area and don't try to push you to buy new battery unless current one is not ok) and get the battery voltage + gravity checked. Post more details please like car model (mpfi/carb) and battery age.
	() Thanks

20th May 2010, 13:45	#4
SirAlec Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: zxc Posts: 3,393 Thanked: 726 Times	How is the car? How old is the battery.?
	() Thanks

23rd May 2010, 02:09	#5
IndrojitSircar Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Kolkata/Delhi Posts: 2,318 Thanked: 972 Times	It seems to be a problem with the alternator. Get the battery and the alternator checked. How long back did you get the alternator checked ?
	() Thanks

27th May 2010, 01:17	#6
Speedbuggy Newbie Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 4 Thanked: 0 Times	Hey thanks for your valuable inputs guys. I have changed the battery from Amaron to Pristolite about 8 months ago and its been about 3000 kms since my car has had a service. Anyways will Check the battery and teh alternator. Once again thank you guys for the inputs.
	() Thanks

27th May 2010, 16:01	#7
sgiitk BANNED Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Gurugram Posts: 7,969 Thanked: 4,788 Times	An AC can draw about 10A (2A clutch + 8A blower) + additional 6A for the fan. Thus a defective alternator or a loose belt are the suspects. I have had AC cars since 1980 incl. some I ACed myself.
	() Thanks

27th May 2010, 20:43	#8
Speedbuggy Newbie Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 4 Thanked: 0 Times	Hmmm this sounds interesting. I do hear a slight belt noise when i drive. Anyways i will visit the Mec this weekend and get it sorted out. @ sgiitk thank you for your experienced inputs.
	() Thanks

28th May 2010, 10:47	#9
Jaggu Team-BHP Support Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 20,215 Thanked: 15,907 Times	Check alternator and how its charging the battery. I think its weak charging causing drain on the battery. Also do you see the charging light glowing a lil when idling with AC on? Thats a sure shot sign of bad charging.
	() Thanks