Battery issues on my DB9
Discussion
Hi all,
I did some search but could not exactly find an answer so starting new topic.
My MY 2009 DB9 is not used very often so I keep it on trickle charger (CTEK) when in the garage.
Lately, I noticed that the charger would sometimes be empty (no lights), and then I would open the boot, fidle with the socket (cigarette lighter version behind the plastic cover) and it would start working again.
Yesterday however, it was out again and this time I could not open the car with my remote. So, used the spare key to open the door, but car would not start (4 red lights on the PRND buttons). I also could not open the boot, but luckily could open the front hood.
I attached a battery charger to the "+" and the "-" to the alternator and immediately could start the car. I did the window reset and drove the car for about 20 minutes, parked it and attached the CTEK again in the boot.
Now, 24 hours later, I notice that the charger only has 3 lights (out of 8?) illuminated so it seems not to be charging the battery... .
Question on root cause:
1) is it the battery which has had its day and should be replaced?
2) is it the CTEK which is not working properly (it does get hot)...
3) is it the connector in the boot which is not working and therefore not uploading the battery?
Any ideas, suggestions, experience is welcome.
PS: the CTEK seems to have some options on what to charge so I put it to the car symbol only, I assume that is the one to choose... .
PS2: the battery has been in the car at least 5 years, but I have not driven more than 10,000km in those 5 years.
Cheers,
Frank
I did some search but could not exactly find an answer so starting new topic.
My MY 2009 DB9 is not used very often so I keep it on trickle charger (CTEK) when in the garage.
Lately, I noticed that the charger would sometimes be empty (no lights), and then I would open the boot, fidle with the socket (cigarette lighter version behind the plastic cover) and it would start working again.
Yesterday however, it was out again and this time I could not open the car with my remote. So, used the spare key to open the door, but car would not start (4 red lights on the PRND buttons). I also could not open the boot, but luckily could open the front hood.
I attached a battery charger to the "+" and the "-" to the alternator and immediately could start the car. I did the window reset and drove the car for about 20 minutes, parked it and attached the CTEK again in the boot.
Now, 24 hours later, I notice that the charger only has 3 lights (out of 8?) illuminated so it seems not to be charging the battery... .
Question on root cause:
1) is it the battery which has had its day and should be replaced?
2) is it the CTEK which is not working properly (it does get hot)...
3) is it the connector in the boot which is not working and therefore not uploading the battery?
Any ideas, suggestions, experience is welcome.
PS: the CTEK seems to have some options on what to charge so I put it to the car symbol only, I assume that is the one to choose... .
PS2: the battery has been in the car at least 5 years, but I have not driven more than 10,000km in those 5 years.
Cheers,
Frank
I learned the hard way that if left for more than a few days the battery in mine will go flat. After that I dug out the Airflow conditioner I used for years with TVRs and it works fine. However because I didn't want the inconvenience of a wire trailing from the boot to the garage - and an extra socket and wiring - I made some connections under the bonnet so I can connect it through the grille.
I don't know the CTEK but when you say '24 hours later, I notice that the charger only has 3 lights (out of 8?) illuminated so it seems not to be charging the battery' it may be that three lights is all the charge the battery now needs. It will draw more when lower. Probably best to read the instructions, and then you'll know which option to use and what to expect.
The handbook says that to replace the charge used from starting you're supposed to drive for 35 miles - so it's not surprising they go flat with little use/short journeys.
I don't know the CTEK but when you say '24 hours later, I notice that the charger only has 3 lights (out of 8?) illuminated so it seems not to be charging the battery' it may be that three lights is all the charge the battery now needs. It will draw more when lower. Probably best to read the instructions, and then you'll know which option to use and what to expect.
The handbook says that to replace the charge used from starting you're supposed to drive for 35 miles - so it's not surprising they go flat with little use/short journeys.
pbe624 said:
Hi all,
I did some search but could not exactly find an answer so starting new topic.
My MY 2009 DB9 is not used very often so I keep it on trickle charger (CTEK) when in the garage.
Lately, I noticed that the charger would sometimes be empty (no lights), and then I would open the boot, fidle with the socket (cigarette lighter version behind the plastic cover) and it would start working again.
Yesterday however, it was out again and this time I could not open the car with my remote. So, used the spare key to open the door, but car would not start (4 red lights on the PRND buttons). I also could not open the boot, but luckily could open the front hood.
I attached a battery charger to the "+" and the "-" to the alternator and immediately could start the car. I did the window reset and drove the car for about 20 minutes, parked it and attached the CTEK again in the boot.
Now, 24 hours later, I notice that the charger only has 3 lights (out of 8?) illuminated so it seems not to be charging the battery... .
Question on root cause:
1) is it the battery which has had its day and should be replaced?
Almost certainly
2) is it the CTEK which is not working properly (it does get hot)...
It is likely getting hot because it is trying to charge an end of life (dead not discharged) battery
3) is it the connector in the boot which is not working and therefore not uploading the battery?
Also likely. The boot socket/circuit is known to offer elevated resistance as the car ages, and its common for the charger to intermittently not work when connected here, requiring ‘wiggling’ etc. The conditioner chargers require a very positive low resistance connection to the battery. Connect the charger plug firmly into the centre console (cigarette) socket where it has a little gravity assistance , or better still, connect more directly to the battery via any number of places (including the battery itself) using CTek accessories.
Any ideas, suggestions, experience is welcome.
PS: the CTEK seems to have some options on what to charge so I put it to the car symbol only, I assume that is the one to choose... .
read the manual. If you haven’t got it, download it.
PS2: the battery has been in the car at least 5 years, but I have not driven more than 10,000km in those 5 years.
You almost certainly have a dying battery. They are very cheap, replace it before it damages or degrades all manner of electronic components, you are likely quite lucky if it has not already done so.
Cheers,
Frank
Common and well known issues all. See answers to your questions above. I did some search but could not exactly find an answer so starting new topic.
My MY 2009 DB9 is not used very often so I keep it on trickle charger (CTEK) when in the garage.
Lately, I noticed that the charger would sometimes be empty (no lights), and then I would open the boot, fidle with the socket (cigarette lighter version behind the plastic cover) and it would start working again.
Yesterday however, it was out again and this time I could not open the car with my remote. So, used the spare key to open the door, but car would not start (4 red lights on the PRND buttons). I also could not open the boot, but luckily could open the front hood.
I attached a battery charger to the "+" and the "-" to the alternator and immediately could start the car. I did the window reset and drove the car for about 20 minutes, parked it and attached the CTEK again in the boot.
Now, 24 hours later, I notice that the charger only has 3 lights (out of 8?) illuminated so it seems not to be charging the battery... .
Question on root cause:
1) is it the battery which has had its day and should be replaced?
Almost certainly
2) is it the CTEK which is not working properly (it does get hot)...
It is likely getting hot because it is trying to charge an end of life (dead not discharged) battery
3) is it the connector in the boot which is not working and therefore not uploading the battery?
Also likely. The boot socket/circuit is known to offer elevated resistance as the car ages, and its common for the charger to intermittently not work when connected here, requiring ‘wiggling’ etc. The conditioner chargers require a very positive low resistance connection to the battery. Connect the charger plug firmly into the centre console (cigarette) socket where it has a little gravity assistance , or better still, connect more directly to the battery via any number of places (including the battery itself) using CTek accessories.
Any ideas, suggestions, experience is welcome.
PS: the CTEK seems to have some options on what to charge so I put it to the car symbol only, I assume that is the one to choose... .
read the manual. If you haven’t got it, download it.
PS2: the battery has been in the car at least 5 years, but I have not driven more than 10,000km in those 5 years.
You almost certainly have a dying battery. They are very cheap, replace it before it damages or degrades all manner of electronic components, you are likely quite lucky if it has not already done so.
Cheers,
Frank
Edited by Calinours on Thursday 6th July 13:39
Re the 3 lights after 24 hours it depends which CTEK you have. If you have one of the more powerful chargers like the MX5.0 then it should be able to charge the battery in 24 hours. If you have one of the less powerful trickle chargers then it probably won’t be able to recharge a flat battery in 24 hours. I have had one of each and next time will ensure I get the more powerful one again - the trickle chargers work to keep a battery topped up fine but struggle to recharge one.
Update,
tried switching to the cigarette lighter socket inside the cabin, but does not seem to make any difference... .
I will be on vacation next few weeks, so not sure if I should keep it connected while away (any risk of overheating the CTEK?) or just disconnect. In that case, probably will need to restart with external battery again by the time I come back. In any case, will leave the car unlocked as it is inside closed garage.
Will be going to the dealer in August to get everything checked... . Unfortunately, cannot drive to where I am going, that would certainly have charged the battery ... ;-)
tried switching to the cigarette lighter socket inside the cabin, but does not seem to make any difference... .
I will be on vacation next few weeks, so not sure if I should keep it connected while away (any risk of overheating the CTEK?) or just disconnect. In that case, probably will need to restart with external battery again by the time I come back. In any case, will leave the car unlocked as it is inside closed garage.
Will be going to the dealer in August to get everything checked... . Unfortunately, cannot drive to where I am going, that would certainly have charged the battery ... ;-)
pbe624 said:
or just disconnect. In that case, probably will need to restart with external battery
If the battery goes totally flat or is disconnected you'll lose window settings, possibly window module settings, engine misfire correction settings (the routine to reset those is complex beyond belief) and wing mirror autofold if enabled - which is a trip to a dealer to restore. So you really want to avoid all that if you can.
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