Another flat battery... can't get into car!

[chris1972]

I have a completely flat battery and now cannot get into my car. The battery needs to be changed. I left the bonnet open so I could attach the jump leads to a charging connector fitted in the engine bay. The problem is, everytime I try to do this, the lights come on and the hazards flash, reducing any charge. I almost drained the battery from my wife's car trying to do this and still can't open the doors.

Could somebody PM me and tell me how to get in?

[phazed]

yhm

[sapper]

twice

[chris1972]

I'm in thanks for that!!! I can't unset the immobiliser now and hear the alarm relay buzzing. I'll install a new battery and take it from there.

Thanks for the quick response guys!!!

[Chimaeraman]

Can someone PM me the same info - don't need it at the moment but you never know when I might!!

[Chimaeraman]

Thanks Peter.

[chris1972]

Hmmm.... got the battery out. Doesn't look too healthy. I'm wondering if its because the car hasn't been used much and the battery has spend more time in a state of discharge or perhaps trickle charged. There appears to be a small leak around the top of the battery which has led to sulphur build-up around the negative terminal post. I've checked a couple of the cells and they have water in, but I feel that it's time for a new one. The battery hasn't swollen, so I can assume that it isn't being overcharged.

I did notice when removing the battery, that it wasn't fixed into place. Normally, they are clamped down, but this was placed onto the floor behind the board in the pax footwell, with a plastic surround and the ECU slotted in down the side. Is this right or do I need to think about securing it the base???

http://www.flickr.com/photos/54788719@N04/84117903... (Thumbsnap not working again!)

[phazed]

There should be 2 bolts that screw up through the bottom of the floor into the battery box that has 2 captive nuts.

[chris1972]

phazed said:

There should be 2 bolts that screw up through the bottom of the floor into the battery box that has 2 captive nuts.

Thanks Peter< I'll check that out tomorrow. The battery just slid out, so I wonder if the leaking maybe caused by the battery vibrating about?