Need a little help!!!
Need a little help!!!
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Discussion

cookin ez

Original Poster:

57 posts

143 months

Tuesday 20th January 2015
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I have had my V8VSR a week and have learned my first lesson and now I have an issue that I could use help with. These batteries don't stay charged long. I was over a friends house showing him my new car at night. Without realizing it might be a problem I put the convertable top down and then back up and showed him the car with lights on without it running for about 15 minutes. When I went to leave the battery did not have enough juice to start. He grabbed his jumper box and it quickly started but gave me every code from alarm system failure, to traction control dissabled, Air bag not working, etc, etc... After putting the car on my trickle charger car started fine but the warnings still persist. I tried taking the terminals off the battery for a period of time hoping everything would reset. After reassembly, now the car won't start and my start button is bright red and the engine light is illuminated with a loud clicking noise persisting from the engine area even with key removed. I had to remove the battery terminals again to stop the noise. My nearest dealer is a three hour drive. Does anyone have any suggestions?

paddy328

2,930 posts

215 months

Tuesday 20th January 2015
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Message Bamford Mike and I'm sure he can help you out.

guards red

689 posts

230 months

Tuesday 20th January 2015
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You need a new battery....

The old one was on its way out and trickle charging hasn't revived it. With it being cold too it's done.

Go get a new battery of the right size and it should be fine. The codes may resetting but that should be it.

Neil1300r

5,772 posts

208 months

Tuesday 20th January 2015
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Once you've replaced the battery look in the AQ's for rest procedures for seats / windows etc

paddy328

2,930 posts

215 months

Tuesday 20th January 2015
quotequote all
You do know he's in California don't you? Likely not to be too cold there....

LordBretSinclair

4,306 posts

207 months

Tuesday 20th January 2015
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Depends where in California.

Mount Shasta for instance is currently -2C. hehe

guards red

689 posts

230 months

Tuesday 20th January 2015
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suppose the three hour drive should've been a bit of a clue. Still, I've never been the sharpest tool in the toolbox.

cookin ez

Original Poster:

57 posts

143 months

Tuesday 20th January 2015
quotequote all
I'll do some research to locate the proper battery to replace the old one. Where I live it is still warm. I have been driving with the top down but the vehicle is a 2011. Maybe the batteries only last 3-4 years?

ds2000

2,756 posts

222 months

Tuesday 20th January 2015
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This sounds normal to me. My car has a new battery and just sitting for 15 mins with the radio can show the low-battery warning. That's with the lights off, with them on I'd be amazed if it lasted 10 minutes

Thunder Road

24 posts

141 months

Tuesday 20th January 2015
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Unless you're planning on using the car regularly, it would also be worth investing in a multi-stage battery conditioner - far better than a trickle charger.

The CTEK MXS 3.8 is compatible with the Vantage: http://www.ctek.com/gb/en/chargers/MXS%203.8

For a few dollars more, add the optional 3 pin connector, which will enable you to plug in easily from the port in the boot/trunk: http://www.ctekchargers.co.uk/ctek-56867.php

I bought mine in the autumn and have had absolutely no issues firing up over the winter.

mikey k

13,074 posts

246 months

Tuesday 20th January 2015
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OP your car is the same age as mine and one of the first Vantage S's off the line.
Mine killed a 3 month old battery losing 2 cells. Your battery may well be from the same batch.
Get it charged properly (not a trickle charger or conditioner) in the car with the earth side disconnected. If it wont hold 12.4 volts from a charger its dead.
Replacing it is a PITA frown
If it does hold the charger reconnect it do the seats, windows and roof learn.
Chech it is charging at over 13V
You might save the battery you might not!
Good luck

BTW there is no 3 pin connector in the roadsters once they go to 4.7's
It is a std "cigarette" socket

cookin ez

Original Poster:

57 posts

143 months

Tuesday 20th January 2015
quotequote all
Thank you so much for your help! I went ahead and replaced the battery and all the fault codes went away and the beauty is running good again.