Vanquish 2 - unable to gain access (battery had it?)
Discussion
I seem to have an issue with my Gen 2 Vanquish so would be grateful for any assistance.
The car has not been used for 2 months but is sat in the garage connected to a trickle charger. However, I went to use it today so disconnected the charger and pressed the unlock button on the key fob. It made the click for the doors unlocking but the wing mirrors did not fold out. I then tried to open the door and it is unlocked from the latch but I cannot open it as the door glass will not drop and is therefore stopping the door from opening. I plugged the charger back in and waited until it showed fully charged but its no different.
Any ideas what I can do the gain access with the glass not dropping as neither door will physically open? Is it also likely to be a battery issue or something else? If battery, are there any recommendations for a replacement? Is it a DIY or dealer job (I understand that it is located underneath the rear seats)? Many thanks.
The car has not been used for 2 months but is sat in the garage connected to a trickle charger. However, I went to use it today so disconnected the charger and pressed the unlock button on the key fob. It made the click for the doors unlocking but the wing mirrors did not fold out. I then tried to open the door and it is unlocked from the latch but I cannot open it as the door glass will not drop and is therefore stopping the door from opening. I plugged the charger back in and waited until it showed fully charged but its no different.
Any ideas what I can do the gain access with the glass not dropping as neither door will physically open? Is it also likely to be a battery issue or something else? If battery, are there any recommendations for a replacement? Is it a DIY or dealer job (I understand that it is located underneath the rear seats)? Many thanks.
I also found this from a quick search on here so am pasting - sounds pretty convoluted so hopefully you have that emergency metal key !
Ok here's the solution... If you are locked out of your car due to a totally flat battery here is how you can get in.
Firstly make sure your crystal fob has a healthy battery. No point in doing the following and then finding out it isn't your car battery.
Now assuming all your car is buttoned up properly and there is no response from your fob , boot won't open, doors won't open its dead and no way in.
Jack up passenger side of the car and remove the front wheel. Make sure you have a stand or block to ensure the car does not move on the jack.
Inside the wheel arch the liner can be seen. Towards the rear fire wall there are a number of plastic torx screws. You only need to remove about 4 ie bottom middle top and centre top.
Pull the arch lining down gently and at the top it has a crease where it can fold down. Once down enough to get your hand inside using a torch look for the bonnet release wire, black about 1/4 cm in diameter it is clipped onto the fire wall with a plastic clip. Give it a solid pull rearwards and this should then open your bonnet catch. Re clip the lug.
You can now do 2 things 1: charge your battery or 2 Jump start your car however if your battery is stuffed, as mine was, it won't charge nor will a jump starter work as the stuffed battery pulls current from the jump starter and everything will work eg lights door fob etc etc but the starter likely will not work.
Grab a new battery and replace the old one.
At least you are now in your car. If the battery charges then you are good to go in about 24 hrs on charge.
If you need to replace your battery it is about an hours work.
Here's how to do it.
Move seat forward as far as possible using the jump starter battery to do this connected in the +and an eath mount eg the bolts on the shock mount area. - under bonnet area.
Pull the rear small section of the back squab out, it measures about 8 inches x 3 inches and is velcro'd in place. This will give you access to a torx screw at the back of the seat bottom squab. Undo this screw and pull the squab up and out, slow and steady careful not to scratch the leather with the metal loop at the rear.
Now you have exposed the battery box it is held in place top 8 5/8 or 7ml bolts and then the front 4 same size bolts (may be 3)
Pull the carpet down on the front of the seat to assist access, it is just glued in place and will re stick when finished.
Now you have the battery exposed.
Undo both nuts on the positive and negative clamps. I was worried about this as I was scared I would cause lots of issues re resetting everything like seats etc but this was not the case. I did have to reset my windows which is easy.
Left hand side of battery is a drain hose, it will come off when you pull the battery out.
But first you need to undo 2 bolts holding the clamp that helps hold the battery in place at the rear of the seat area. There is a slide left or right clamp which you may need a larger screw driver to dislodge from the battery wall area. It will slide in my case towards the tranny tunnel and can then be removed.
Now the battery can be lifted out. Mine had 2 plastic handles on it which made it a bit easier.
The drain hose popped off the drain area when I lifted the battery out so when I put the new battery in I used long nose pliers to put it back on.
Make sure to put the positive terminal on the left and earth to right, the earth is attached to the braided wire.
Tighten the nuts holding the terminals up. Your interior lights should come on and some other noises will be heard.
Put the anchor bracket back in place with 2 nuts
Now the top plate and the 8 screws, now the front plate and 3 or 4 screws ( you may want to start the car and let run for about 10 mins to ensure it is ok and working)
Now put the bottom seat squab pack and the torx screw, the rear small squab and the carpet and you are done.
Move the seat back and Bobs your uncle.
The windows are re set by sending down the window to the bottom and hold for 3 secs. run up and hold for 3 seconds and they should now be set so they drop a little when opening the door. Do one at a time.
If you have any codes that come up they may go away or you will need to pop in to the local shop to reset. I took my car for a 20 minute drive in both auto and manual and sport mode sport shocks etc just to test everything.
I had no codes. I left my car sit for 20 mins before reinserting the battery which my indy advised to do as with all the messing around with chargers and boost starts he thought it best so it would do a reset.
I hope this helps anyone stuck... its not the end of the world so I discovered. I have now ordered the emergency manual key.
Ok here's the solution... If you are locked out of your car due to a totally flat battery here is how you can get in.
Firstly make sure your crystal fob has a healthy battery. No point in doing the following and then finding out it isn't your car battery.
Now assuming all your car is buttoned up properly and there is no response from your fob , boot won't open, doors won't open its dead and no way in.
Jack up passenger side of the car and remove the front wheel. Make sure you have a stand or block to ensure the car does not move on the jack.
Inside the wheel arch the liner can be seen. Towards the rear fire wall there are a number of plastic torx screws. You only need to remove about 4 ie bottom middle top and centre top.
Pull the arch lining down gently and at the top it has a crease where it can fold down. Once down enough to get your hand inside using a torch look for the bonnet release wire, black about 1/4 cm in diameter it is clipped onto the fire wall with a plastic clip. Give it a solid pull rearwards and this should then open your bonnet catch. Re clip the lug.
You can now do 2 things 1: charge your battery or 2 Jump start your car however if your battery is stuffed, as mine was, it won't charge nor will a jump starter work as the stuffed battery pulls current from the jump starter and everything will work eg lights door fob etc etc but the starter likely will not work.
Grab a new battery and replace the old one.
At least you are now in your car. If the battery charges then you are good to go in about 24 hrs on charge.
If you need to replace your battery it is about an hours work.
Here's how to do it.
Move seat forward as far as possible using the jump starter battery to do this connected in the +and an eath mount eg the bolts on the shock mount area. - under bonnet area.
Pull the rear small section of the back squab out, it measures about 8 inches x 3 inches and is velcro'd in place. This will give you access to a torx screw at the back of the seat bottom squab. Undo this screw and pull the squab up and out, slow and steady careful not to scratch the leather with the metal loop at the rear.
Now you have exposed the battery box it is held in place top 8 5/8 or 7ml bolts and then the front 4 same size bolts (may be 3)
Pull the carpet down on the front of the seat to assist access, it is just glued in place and will re stick when finished.
Now you have the battery exposed.
Undo both nuts on the positive and negative clamps. I was worried about this as I was scared I would cause lots of issues re resetting everything like seats etc but this was not the case. I did have to reset my windows which is easy.
Left hand side of battery is a drain hose, it will come off when you pull the battery out.
But first you need to undo 2 bolts holding the clamp that helps hold the battery in place at the rear of the seat area. There is a slide left or right clamp which you may need a larger screw driver to dislodge from the battery wall area. It will slide in my case towards the tranny tunnel and can then be removed.
Now the battery can be lifted out. Mine had 2 plastic handles on it which made it a bit easier.
The drain hose popped off the drain area when I lifted the battery out so when I put the new battery in I used long nose pliers to put it back on.
Make sure to put the positive terminal on the left and earth to right, the earth is attached to the braided wire.
Tighten the nuts holding the terminals up. Your interior lights should come on and some other noises will be heard.
Put the anchor bracket back in place with 2 nuts
Now the top plate and the 8 screws, now the front plate and 3 or 4 screws ( you may want to start the car and let run for about 10 mins to ensure it is ok and working)
Now put the bottom seat squab pack and the torx screw, the rear small squab and the carpet and you are done.
Move the seat back and Bobs your uncle.
The windows are re set by sending down the window to the bottom and hold for 3 secs. run up and hold for 3 seconds and they should now be set so they drop a little when opening the door. Do one at a time.
If you have any codes that come up they may go away or you will need to pop in to the local shop to reset. I took my car for a 20 minute drive in both auto and manual and sport mode sport shocks etc just to test everything.
I had no codes. I left my car sit for 20 mins before reinserting the battery which my indy advised to do as with all the messing around with chargers and boost starts he thought it best so it would do a reset.
I hope this helps anyone stuck... its not the end of the world so I discovered. I have now ordered the emergency manual key.
From the Handbook (https://www.astonmartin.com/guides/FD33-19A321-AA.pdf) section 2.5 - 15MY Vanquish. If this isn't the right model year, gohere and select the correct one: https://www.astonmartin.com/en/owners/owners-guide...
In the unlikely event that either the vehicle key fails
to operate or the vehicle battery is fully discharged
use the emergency key to lock or unlock the vehicle.
To access the door lock, remove the side strake on
the left hand side door by following the procedure
below.
1. Locate a small slot underneath the side strake.
Carefully insert your Aston Martin Emergency
Assistance card (or similar item) to push the
internal clip and release the strake.
2. Carefully push the side strake towards the front
of the vehicle and remove.
3. Insert the emergency key in the lock and turn
fully towards the front of the vehicle, then
release, to centrally lock the vehicle, disable the
boot lid and fuel flap release switches. The
security system will not arm.
4. To centrally unlock the vehicle, enable the boot
lid and fuel flap release switches, turn fully
towards the rear of the vehicle, then release. If
the security system was armed, the alarm will
start.
5. To stop the alarm insert the vehicle key (even if
the vehicle key has lost all power) into the
ignition control and move to position II
(ignition ON).
6. Reinstall the side strake carefully.
Take care not to damage the vehicle paintwork
when removing and replacing the side strake.
If the vehicle battery is fully discharged the
emergency key will only lock or unlock a door.
Even if the vehicle key has lost all power it will
start the engine if required.
Memory seats: The front seats and door rear
view mirrors will not move to a preset position if the
vehicle is unlocked using the emergency key.
If the emergency key is lost, contact your Aston
Martin Dealer
In the unlikely event that either the vehicle key fails
to operate or the vehicle battery is fully discharged
use the emergency key to lock or unlock the vehicle.
To access the door lock, remove the side strake on
the left hand side door by following the procedure
below.
1. Locate a small slot underneath the side strake.
Carefully insert your Aston Martin Emergency
Assistance card (or similar item) to push the
internal clip and release the strake.
2. Carefully push the side strake towards the front
of the vehicle and remove.
3. Insert the emergency key in the lock and turn
fully towards the front of the vehicle, then
release, to centrally lock the vehicle, disable the
boot lid and fuel flap release switches. The
security system will not arm.
4. To centrally unlock the vehicle, enable the boot
lid and fuel flap release switches, turn fully
towards the rear of the vehicle, then release. If
the security system was armed, the alarm will
start.
5. To stop the alarm insert the vehicle key (even if
the vehicle key has lost all power) into the
ignition control and move to position II
(ignition ON).
6. Reinstall the side strake carefully.
Take care not to damage the vehicle paintwork
when removing and replacing the side strake.
If the vehicle battery is fully discharged the
emergency key will only lock or unlock a door.
Even if the vehicle key has lost all power it will
start the engine if required.
Memory seats: The front seats and door rear
view mirrors will not move to a preset position if the
vehicle is unlocked using the emergency key.
If the emergency key is lost, contact your Aston
Martin Dealer
Thanks for the responses but neither helps me gain access unfortunately. Both doors are unlocked and the boot is open so I have plugged the trickle charger in and waited until it states that the battery is fully charged but I don't think the battery is is taking charge and does not have enough power to drop the window slightly to enable the door to be opened and naturally I don't want to have to break the glass.
So after a call to Aston Martin Works, I am now in the car but given that it is totally dead I cannot move it. The battery wont seem to hold any charge so jump starting is not even an option. I'm not sure what can have happened to the battery as the car was fine when I last used it and has been plugged into the trickle charger since?
Is there a way to get it out of park and into neutral when its completely dead does anyone know? I can at least then push it out of the garage to give me more access to try and get part of the back seat out to get to the battery.
Is there a way to get it out of park and into neutral when its completely dead does anyone know? I can at least then push it out of the garage to give me more access to try and get part of the back seat out to get to the battery.
Can anyone also recommend a replacement battery? Most sites seem to suggest an AGM battery but I doubt that the original is AGM plus I was under the impression that AGM batteries were for cars with start/stop which the Aston doesn't have.
The AGM batteries are more expensive than standard - is it worth paying the extra or will it provide no benefit over a decent standard battery?
Sorry for all the questions - I really appreciate the advice though.
The AGM batteries are more expensive than standard - is it worth paying the extra or will it provide no benefit over a decent standard battery?
Sorry for all the questions - I really appreciate the advice though.
Have a look at the attached specifically Andyduncan post on the 20th Feb:-
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
NSP said:
So after a call to Aston Martin Works, I am now in the car but given that it is totally dead I cannot move it. The battery wont seem to hold any charge so jump starting is not even an option. I'm not sure what can have happened to the battery as the car was fine when I last used it and has been plugged into the trickle charger since?
Is there a way to get it out of park and into neutral when its completely dead does anyone know? I can at least then push it out of the garage to give me more access to try and get part of the back seat out to get to the battery.
Do you have/know anyone with one of the lithium jump start packs? They are surprisingly effective. Is there a way to get it out of park and into neutral when its completely dead does anyone know? I can at least then push it out of the garage to give me more access to try and get part of the back seat out to get to the battery.
Wouldn’t fix the problem but might get you started, out of park, and the space you need to work.
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