Flat/dead battery?

FredSpencer · 1st January 2013, 13:25

I've been struck down with the worst case of man flu all over the holiday period so haven't used my car since a short journey on Christmas eve. Now feeling somewhat better I went to the car yesterday, pressed the key fob, but nothing happened. The driver's door unlocked with the key but trying to start the car just activated the alarm. Absolutely nothing but the alarm works, even the clock being stopped.

I decided to try jump starting the car from a jump start machine I have. I gave that a good charge overnight and this afternoon connected the red lead to the positive terminal but when I connected the black lead to a metal part the alarm instantly activated again. I assumed there would be little point trying to turn the engine over so haven't. This has me completely bamboozled.

Do I need a new battery, can I just try charging the one I have or is there something else up?

Any advice would be appreciated.

pab · 1st January 2013, 13:32

The car could be in an immobilised/Alarm state. Connect the booster pack and operate the lock/unlock function on the fob. If this stops the Alarm, check instruments in the car for power before cranking the starter.

FredSpencer · 1st January 2013, 14:17

Thanks for the reply Paul. I have now tried that but it hasn't made any difference - no response to the fobs and the alarm still sounds.

Arctic · 1st January 2013, 16:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by FredSpencer

Thanks for the reply Paul. I have now tried that but it hasn't made any difference - no response to the fobs and the alarm still sounds.

Give the battery a good charge for 24hrs if possible or until full then it should start but it sounds like you need a new battery this happened to me about 2yrs ago changed the battery great ever since

http://www.maxautopartsltd.co.uk/p0/...ol-99/4019.htm

pab · 1st January 2013, 16:50

Let me also draw your attention to this important information regarding failed/flat batteries..

FredSpencer · 1st January 2013, 17:12

Thanks again guys.

I'd found that thread, Paul, but am hoping it doesn't apply as there doesn't seem to have been any life in the battery at all. I'll PM Russ about it though, as he's the expert.

chrissyboy · 1st January 2013, 18:15

the battery is no good ,dont even waste your time charging the battery ,it has dead cells in it so will not hold a charge .unless you can see something that has been left on to flatten the battery you now need a new one .

FredSpencer · 1st January 2013, 18:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrissyboy

the battery is no good ,dont even waste your time charging the battery ,it has dead cells in it so will not hold a charge .unless you can see something that has been left on to flatten the battery you now need a new one .

I've read things like the satnav can cause a quick drain so no harm in trying a charge first is there?

chrissyboy · 1st January 2013, 18:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by FredSpencer

I've read things like the satnav can cause a quick drain so no harm in trying a charge first is there?

waste of time imho ,if another battery inline isnt making any diffrence then the battery in the car is completly goose not allowing flow through it from another battery .a car left witha good battery should take 30 dayus to flatten, if something is drianing the battery then it can be a matter of hours to flatten ,in your case trhough its the batterty that is complelty goosed .

chipsceola · 1st January 2013, 20:08

I had a 1.8 Classic, daily drive regular use never a problem, until I bought the Tourer, left it parked up for 2 weeks, went to start and battery dead, no amount of charging made any difference, bought a new battery for the Tourer and used it's battery on the Classic, problem solved, old 75 batteries don't like being left, if it's on the way out anyway that just about finishes them it would appear.
Chips

1st January 2013, 13:25	#1
FredSpencer Passed Away Typhoon ZT 190+ Saloon Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Leeds Posts: 6,833 Thanks: 0 Thanked 18 Times in 10 Posts	Flat/dead battery? I've been struck down with the worst case of man flu all over the holiday period so haven't used my car since a short journey on Christmas eve. Now feeling somewhat better I went to the car yesterday, pressed the key fob, but nothing happened. The driver's door unlocked with the key but trying to start the car just activated the alarm. Absolutely nothing but the alarm works, even the clock being stopped. I decided to try jump starting the car from a jump start machine I have. I gave that a good charge overnight and this afternoon connected the red lead to the positive terminal but when I connected the black lead to a metal part the alarm instantly activated again. I assumed there would be little point trying to turn the engine over so haven't. This has me completely bamboozled. Do I need a new battery, can I just try charging the one I have or is there something else up? Any advice would be appreciated.

1st January 2013, 18:15	#7
chrissyboy This is my second home lovely little ford focus. Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: East Dulwich Posts: 7,877 Thanks: 2 Thanked 82 Times in 68 Posts	the battery is no good ,dont even waste your time charging the battery ,it has dead cells in it so will not hold a charge .unless you can see something that has been left on to flatten the battery you now need a new one . __________________ [ I'm really confused. -I keep dreaming I'm an insomniac

1st January 2013, 13:32	#2
pab Banned MG ZT V6 190+ Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Leeds Posts: 33,223 Thanks: 41 Thanked 1,614 Times in 1,416 Posts	The car could be in an immobilised/Alarm state. Connect the booster pack and operate the lock/unlock function on the fob. If this stops the Alarm, check instruments in the car for power before cranking the starter.

1st January 2013, 14:17	#3
FredSpencer Passed Away Typhoon ZT 190+ Saloon Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Leeds Posts: 6,833 Thanks: 0 Thanked 18 Times in 10 Posts	Thanks for the reply Paul. I have now tried that but it hasn't made any difference - no response to the fobs and the alarm still sounds.

1st January 2013, 16:50	#5
pab Banned MG ZT V6 190+ Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Leeds Posts: 33,223 Thanks: 41 Thanked 1,614 Times in 1,416 Posts	Let me also draw your attention to this important information regarding failed/flat batteries..

1st January 2013, 17:12	#6
FredSpencer Passed Away Typhoon ZT 190+ Saloon Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Leeds Posts: 6,833 Thanks: 0 Thanked 18 Times in 10 Posts	Thanks again guys. I'd found that thread, Paul, but am hoping it doesn't apply as there doesn't seem to have been any life in the battery at all. I'll PM Russ about it though, as he's the expert.

1st January 2013, 20:08	#10
chipsceola This is my second home Jaguar XF 3.0D Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Southampton Posts: 4,364 Thanks: 119 Thanked 509 Times in 426 Posts	I had a 1.8 Classic, daily drive regular use never a problem, until I bought the Tourer, left it parked up for 2 weeks, went to start and battery dead, no amount of charging made any difference, bought a new battery for the Tourer and used it's battery on the Classic, problem solved, old 75 batteries don't like being left, if it's on the way out anyway that just about finishes them it would appear. Chips