Numpty Newbie Questions!
Discussion
So my mate decides he's gonna live abroad for a few years and so needs someone to look after his Tuscan - graciously I step into the breach!!! Now I'm the envy of all my mates and my missus wishes I didn't bother as it blocks the drive. 
Having not had the chance to drive it much though (kids, house move, stupid British weather), I now find myself with a dead battery. I've had the trickle charge on for a few days, which has at least allowed me access to through the doors, but the only other electrical activity I got was the interior fans. Up until yesterday I also had a fully open window, as there didn't seem to be enough juice to raise it again.
So here's my dilemma:
- Do I get some jumps leads and try and give it a proper boost or charge, or should I send the battery to the knackers yard and replace with a new one?
- Is it an easy job to replace the battery - I know it's behind the wheel, but how accessible is it once you get the wheel off?
- Shall I just cover it up (I haven't got a garage though) and get a new battery after the winter, or will the beast just rot without a good thrashing for a few months?
- I've got access to the boot at the mo so can get into the car with the
method - ideally I'd like to shut it as the rain's been coming down something chronic lately. I've read there's a secret method to get it - does this still require boot access?
Sorry if these sound like lame questions - we've all gotta start somewhere!
Cheers!
Having not had the chance to drive it much though (kids, house move, stupid British weather), I now find myself with a dead battery. I've had the trickle charge on for a few days, which has at least allowed me access to through the doors, but the only other electrical activity I got was the interior fans. Up until yesterday I also had a fully open window, as there didn't seem to be enough juice to raise it again.So here's my dilemma:
- Do I get some jumps leads and try and give it a proper boost or charge, or should I send the battery to the knackers yard and replace with a new one?
- Is it an easy job to replace the battery - I know it's behind the wheel, but how accessible is it once you get the wheel off?
- Shall I just cover it up (I haven't got a garage though) and get a new battery after the winter, or will the beast just rot without a good thrashing for a few months?
- I've got access to the boot at the mo so can get into the car with the
method - ideally I'd like to shut it as the rain's been coming down something chronic lately. I've read there's a secret method to get it - does this still require boot access?Sorry if these sound like lame questions - we've all gotta start somewhere!
Cheers!Edited by Big Al. on Saturday 22 November 12:29
Battery change is easy. Remove passenger front wheel, cover inside wheel arch has two bolts, remove cover, hello battery.
Easy to see the batt clamp think 13mm needed, losen contacts, and remove. Just be carefull at this point that conectors are well out of the way when removing battery, cable tie them to chasiss would be ideal, make sure both dissconected before doing this. Bit of carfull jiggling and lift out battery, new replacement would be £80-100, Halfords as good as any if close to you.
If you dont intend using the car keep old battery, try charging and check its output, if its good then leave off car and keep were the cold wont affect it. put on charge with a timer so it gets a regular boost to stop deteriation.
If you do this the car has no alarm/imob security so be careful with insurance !
Easy to see the batt clamp think 13mm needed, losen contacts, and remove. Just be carefull at this point that conectors are well out of the way when removing battery, cable tie them to chasiss would be ideal, make sure both dissconected before doing this. Bit of carfull jiggling and lift out battery, new replacement would be £80-100, Halfords as good as any if close to you.
If you dont intend using the car keep old battery, try charging and check its output, if its good then leave off car and keep were the cold wont affect it. put on charge with a timer so it gets a regular boost to stop deteriation.
If you do this the car has no alarm/imob security so be careful with insurance !
Edited by J J on Sunday 23 November 15:08
Edited by J J on Sunday 23 November 15:15
Thanks JJ! Can you tell me where's the best place to jack the beast up from? I couldn't see a jacking point mentioned in the owner's manual.
And if I decide to wait til the sun decides to show its face in Britain again before juicing it, is there anyway I can shut the boot and still gain access? As mentioned in a different post, it's like a gaping sharks mouth when shut, nevermind propped open!!!
Cheers for your help!
And if I decide to wait til the sun decides to show its face in Britain again before juicing it, is there anyway I can shut the boot and still gain access? As mentioned in a different post, it's like a gaping sharks mouth when shut, nevermind propped open!!!
Cheers for your help!
- UPDATE* Had it trickle charging for a few more days and it seems a bit more healthy. Got in no probs and has enough juice to set alarm. Display read 10.2v. No action when I tried to start, but I reset the fuel pump shut-off switch and now it makes an automatic gunfire sound - so I'm assuming that a cell's died on me by the sounds of it?
Edited by gaspower on Monday 24th November 10:13
[quote=gaspower]Thanks JJ! Can you tell me where's the best place to jack the beast up from? I couldn't see a jacking point mentioned in the owner's manual.
Sorry been away from internet since Sunday.
Jacking point just behind front wheel. Look under the car and behind the sill. You will see chassis tubes, look for point where chassis members join with triangle plate inserts. If you can get right under use first chassis tube behind wheel, where it joins with the main chassis, strongest point to lift from. Roll car onto wood or somthing to lift whole car so as to get the trolley jack under. If jack has a metal cup would sugest that you protect chassis from damage as powder coating could be chipped by this. Only need to lift inch or two before wheels of the floor as the chassis is ridgid.
Please make sure you support car with axle stands, and dont work with car only on the trolly jack. Good Luck.
Sorry been away from internet since Sunday.
Jacking point just behind front wheel. Look under the car and behind the sill. You will see chassis tubes, look for point where chassis members join with triangle plate inserts. If you can get right under use first chassis tube behind wheel, where it joins with the main chassis, strongest point to lift from. Roll car onto wood or somthing to lift whole car so as to get the trolley jack under. If jack has a metal cup would sugest that you protect chassis from damage as powder coating could be chipped by this. Only need to lift inch or two before wheels of the floor as the chassis is ridgid.
Please make sure you support car with axle stands, and dont work with car only on the trolly jack. Good Luck.
Edited by J J on Tuesday 25th November 15:20
Nice one! Thanks again. Now to pray for a dry day and an afternoon without the kids! http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/imgs/10.gif
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