Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[notacarbuff]

Hi there I am looking for some advice with what I assume to be a flat battery, apart from get a new one.

I have just gone to start the car and nothing, then the display flickered on and off for a few seconds and then nothing at all until the alarm went off (presumably the power horn thought the battery was disconnected?).
Also the central locking keeps reopening the doors when shut with the key manually.

So, is it as simple as getting some jump leads and starting her up and driving round a bit. Or are there some other things that I need to do with codes etc before I attempt a jump start?

Any help gratefully received and thanks in advance

[Andy B]

....
So, is it as simple as getting some jump leads and starting her up and driving round a bit.  ....

Initially yes. But just driving round a bit won't charge your battery very much. You need to give it a charge at least over night and see how you get on. Ultimately get your battery checked by a proper auto spark. Completely discharging a battery doesn't really do them much good long term & you might need to replace it. 

[sandune]

Hiya , you have potentially two problems.
(1) Alternator not charging the battery .
(2)Battery not holding charge.
 So get a voltmeter and check the condition of the battery. HTH

[notacarbuff]

Thanks very much. As this car has more gadgets on it than others I have owned I wanted to check with the experts.

I have been looking through the manual and cant find anything about the powerhorn. How do I stop that going off when I disconnect the battery?

[notacarbuff]

Cheers sandune.

I think its the battery as I have not been using the car much. Trying to be green and walk, cycle, get the bus etc. Just look what you get for saving the planet.

[Andy B]

....

I have been looking through the manual and cant find anything about the powerhorn. How do I stop that going off when I disconnect the battery?

It's in there somewhere. You have 15 seconds to disconnect the battery from when you turn off the igntion. 

[notacarbuff]

Abdy B thanks.

Found it on Page 63 and you are correct. So even though I am not trying to start the car I need to turn the ingition on then off and spanner like mad, so to speak. I think its the original battery so 15 seconds may be a challenge. I hope none of the neighbours are on night shift

[djac]

Abdy B thanks.

Found it on Page 63 and you are correct. So even though I am not trying to start the car I need to turn the ingition on then off and spanner like mad, so to speak. I think its the original battery so 15 seconds may be a challenge. I hope none of the neighbours are on night shift

Slacken the battery clamp bolt first, then ignition on/off and quick sprint to whip the connector off the battery.. 

[Andy B]

Abdy B thanks.

Found it on Page 63 and you are correct. So even though I am not trying to start the car I need to turn the ingition on then off and spanner like mad, so to speak. I think its the original battery so 15 seconds may be a challenge. I hope none of the neighbours are on night shift

Just slacken the earth/negative terminal clamp first, then turn the ign on then off & then all you have to do is lift the clamp from the battery. Loads of time! 
You then need to recode your radio, reset the auto touch on the windows - press & hold up till you hear a click, and reset the sunroof - push & hold the dial at each major postion till all movement has stopped.     

[notacarbuff]

Thanks folks.

Car jump started and run up the motorway a bit. Battery has been given a clean bill of health by the local motor factors. So I will take it off and charge over the weekend, to be on the safe side.

Thanks for the help.