Dead Alarm after Flat Battery

[tpo]

First flat battery over xmas. Took the opportunity to hook up the Airflow to the battery. Airflow says I've got a dead one and won't charge! Back into the footwell with my meter which says 1.95 volts!! Hook up big charger for the day. Switch back to Airflow, charging OK.

In the meantime I spend a relaxing hour retuning the radio. Job done I pack up and try to set the alarm except it is in doornail mode!!! What to try first? Ignition on and contact key overrides the imobiliser so I can drive to a dealer if required. Disconnect the battery to reset the alarm? Well that eventually worked when I figured I had better disconnect the Airflow as well!!!! Also lucky I had the keys to hand as I heard the alarm set on reconnection! And guess what? The radio needed retuning again ;-(

Morals:- Hook up your new charger BEFORE you need it. When charging from dead you may need to disconnect the alarm to reset it. Retune the radio last!

Cheers
T

[the dodger]

Same here - lesson learned indeed. In fact battery went low whilst at Offords and they somehow managed to start it with alarm armed (???) or something. Anyway, siren went off about 2 miles from there, driving towards A14. Switch off, siren stopped - wouldn't start again! Disconnect/reconnect battery - alls well again ever since.