Flat battery, no jump leads and....
Discussion
Whato chaps!
Just got back from a 2 week cruise around the Med
and have returned home to find my P&J has died and I can't get in! 
Now here's the problem - my garage is underground and has no power points. The car is parked in a position which makes access to the alternative entry method almost impossible. I could probably squeeze down the side and plug in to the Anderson connector but I don't have the leads, connector or an alternative car/battery capable of starting her up.
What can I do!?
Cheers!
Just got back from a 2 week cruise around the Med
and have returned home to find my P&J has died and I can't get in! Now here's the problem - my garage is underground and has no power points. The car is parked in a position which makes access to the alternative entry method almost impossible. I could probably squeeze down the side and plug in to the Anderson connector but I don't have the leads, connector or an alternative car/battery capable of starting her up.
What can I do!?
Cheers!
if you want to trek to W5 you can borrow my leads, then call the AA who will arrive with the necessary battery pack.
But if you don't own any leads I would suggest buying some from Leven for delivery tomorrow then calling the AA. You could also buy a jump pack to avoid the AA, but you will need the most powerful one you can buy, try machine mart or I think Halfords.
But if you don't own any leads I would suggest buying some from Leven for delivery tomorrow then calling the AA. You could also buy a jump pack to avoid the AA, but you will need the most powerful one you can buy, try machine mart or I think Halfords.
BigJL said:
If anyone could come and help me out that would be brilliant... although Nelly, it'd be about a 45 minute journey from you which is pretty far. I live just near Regents Park. I can pay in beer and food though if you don't mind the journey! 
Would Saturday morning be ok?I'm just thinking the traffic would be a bit better than Friday rushhour...
I could be there by 8ish, or later if you fancy a lie-in!
PM me with directions if that's ok
s6boy said:
Justin if you're a member of the AA already give them a call as they have a documented procedure for cutting down their own jump lead/Anderson turning it round so the crock clips go on their battery and then plug the Anderson into your car. HTH
Are you sure that works? I'm pretty sure the "Anderson" connector the AA use is a different size. One of the guys tried it on my Tuscan and it would not fit so he just attached croc to crocAlpinestars said:
s6boy said:
Justin if you're a member of the AA already give them a call as they have a documented procedure for cutting down their own jump lead/Anderson turning it round so the crock clips go on their battery and then plug the Anderson into your car. HTH
Are you sure that works? I'm pretty sure the "Anderson" connector the AA use is a different size. One of the guys tried it on my Tuscan and it would not fit so he just attached croc to crocHey all!
Nelly, looks like I'm gonna save you a trip into town! A mate is going to take me up to the TVR Centre and I'm going to borrow a battery and jump leads. Hopefully it'll be as simple as plugging it in and firing her up!
Cheers for the offer of help though, it's much appreciated.
Anything else I should know so I don't blow the car up!?
Nelly, looks like I'm gonna save you a trip into town! A mate is going to take me up to the TVR Centre and I'm going to borrow a battery and jump leads. Hopefully it'll be as simple as plugging it in and firing her up!
Cheers for the offer of help though, it's much appreciated.
Anything else I should know so I don't blow the car up!?
Yes, just one pearl of wisdom given to my by an AA man one day (after my battery went flat (but not in a TVR!)).
Once your car is started, do not, again DO NOT immediately remove the jump leads. Leave them on for 5-10 mins (10 is better). The reason for this is if you disconnect them immediately, the alternator in your car 'sees' a very flat battery and so immediately ramps up the charging current (from the modest large current it was seeing with a full and flat battery connected). When it does this, it can send a spike through your electrickery and into your ECU, possibly blowing it. I was advised by the AA man that if they know you've already tried to jump start your car and you then call them, they won't touch it for this reason.
HTH and you are on your way soon!!
Once your car is started, do not, again DO NOT immediately remove the jump leads. Leave them on for 5-10 mins (10 is better). The reason for this is if you disconnect them immediately, the alternator in your car 'sees' a very flat battery and so immediately ramps up the charging current (from the modest large current it was seeing with a full and flat battery connected). When it does this, it can send a spike through your electrickery and into your ECU, possibly blowing it. I was advised by the AA man that if they know you've already tried to jump start your car and you then call them, they won't touch it for this reason.
HTH and you are on your way soon!!
You may find nothing happens when you first plug in.
The connector under the car may have enough crud/corrosion on it to completely ruin an effective electrical connection.
A few minutes cleaning with a needle file or similar will sort you out.
If you're lucky, your car will have the small plastic connector cover and you won't have the above problem.
Good luck!
The connector under the car may have enough crud/corrosion on it to completely ruin an effective electrical connection.
A few minutes cleaning with a needle file or similar will sort you out.
If you're lucky, your car will have the small plastic connector cover and you won't have the above problem.
Good luck!
Cheers for the advice!
The connector has the rubber cap on it and from what I can remember looks quite clean. It's annoying as I can't even get down by the side of the car to have a proper look as the garage isn't big enough.
Nothing ever is straight forwards though so I'm pretty much sure I'll be having problems - probably end up blowing up something!
ETA - This is a stupid question: Once I plug the spare battery in, will I magically have power to unlock and open the doors? I mean, I don't see why I shouldn't but then you never know with TVRs!
The connector has the rubber cap on it and from what I can remember looks quite clean. It's annoying as I can't even get down by the side of the car to have a proper look as the garage isn't big enough.
Nothing ever is straight forwards though so I'm pretty much sure I'll be having problems - probably end up blowing up something!
ETA - This is a stupid question: Once I plug the spare battery in, will I magically have power to unlock and open the doors? I mean, I don't see why I shouldn't but then you never know with TVRs!
Edited by BigJL on Saturday 30th August 00:18
Chaps - think I have a pretty flat battery as of this morning and have purchased some Leven leads for delivery tomorrow. I think I know what to do to rig them up to the car (although advice appreciated!), but is it then simply a process of getting another car or the AA to jump start me (i.e. without the removal of the front wheel etc).
Also - once charged up for say, 10-20 mins, is the perceived wisdom then to get the battery properly checked out by a TVR garage or will it be fine thereafter (after the jump start and a subsequent drive).
Sorry for the ignorance - this is a first...
Also - once charged up for say, 10-20 mins, is the perceived wisdom then to get the battery properly checked out by a TVR garage or will it be fine thereafter (after the jump start and a subsequent drive).
Sorry for the ignorance - this is a first...
I wouldn't bother. In fact, just this morning, I didn't.
You can try to jump the car from the Anderson connector, but they collect a lot of crap. You can also jump them from inside the passenger footwell (which is what 'we' did). But, car batteries don't survive being flat for any length of time so there is a good chance that it is buggered, and changing them is a dog of a job due to their location.
A nice man from The TVR Centre came around with a flatbed. And, they'll check the wiring while she is opened up, so she doesn't go up in flames.
You can try to jump the car from the Anderson connector, but they collect a lot of crap. You can also jump them from inside the passenger footwell (which is what 'we' did). But, car batteries don't survive being flat for any length of time so there is a good chance that it is buggered, and changing them is a dog of a job due to their location.
A nice man from The TVR Centre came around with a flatbed. And, they'll check the wiring while she is opened up, so she doesn't go up in flames.
grumbledoak said:
I wouldn't bother. In fact, just this morning, I didn't.
You can try to jump the car from the Anderson connector, but they collect a lot of crap. You can also jump them from inside the passenger footwell (which is what 'we' did). But, car batteries don't survive being flat for any length of time so there is a good chance that it is buggered, and changing them is a dog of a job due to their location.
A nice man from The TVR Centre came around with a flatbed. And, they'll check the wiring while she is opened up, so she doesn't go up in flames.
Who has been servicing your car??? 'cos that's something they should be checking, greasing and making sure it has the cover on. So shouldn't be full of crap.....dirty and greasy maybe!!!!You can try to jump the car from the Anderson connector, but they collect a lot of crap. You can also jump them from inside the passenger footwell (which is what 'we' did). But, car batteries don't survive being flat for any length of time so there is a good chance that it is buggered, and changing them is a dog of a job due to their location.
A nice man from The TVR Centre came around with a flatbed. And, they'll check the wiring while she is opened up, so she doesn't go up in flames.
glow worm said:
Who has been servicing your car??? 'cos that's something they should be checking, greasing and making sure it has the cover on. So shouldn't be full of crap.....dirty and greasy maybe!!!!
Not 'naming and shaming', as it were. It would have been possible; she hasn't been neglected. But, the car was at home so it was easier to do it in the footwell itself.
Mustang Baz said:
.... but is it then simply a process of getting another car or the AA to jump start me (i.e. without the removal of the front wheel etc).
Yup - and the cover is designed to keep the crap out - don't forget to put it back (like I'm always managing! 
)Mustang Baz said:
Also - once charged up for say, 10-20 mins, is the perceived wisdom then to get the battery properly checked out by a TVR garage or will it be fine thereafter (after the jump start and a subsequent drive).
Give it as good a long run as you can. The battery doesn't need to drop much charge for it to be not enough to fire up. It's a pain, but once you start letting it lose charge it's never going to be brilliant. I try and remember not to leave the leads in the boot! Plus, the Leven ones are never long enough for me. If you get an extension pair make sure they're beefy enough and don't just sit there smoking! Eventually there's no substitute but a replacement battery I usually gauge that by how often I'm meeting the same nice man from the RAC!!! Forums | Tuscan | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff