Alarm/Battery Problem???

[hazzaboy69]

The battery has possibly gone flat and the alarm was initially beeping every now and then, the doors wouldnt open so we took off the roof and plugged in the charger this made no difference except that the radio started flashing on and off and a relay was clicking on and off which seemed to be coming from under the dashboard. All of the fuses and relays look fine in the footwell. The alarm is a cobra, I dont think its the standard one as in the bible it says it was a meta alarm. Can anyone help?

Thanks in advance Harry

[the dodger]

Harry, if the battery had gone flat a trickle charger probably won't resurrect it. You need to charge the battery with a proper charger first. You can do this without removing the battery but it's potentially dangerous. You can charge via the batt. connection on the alternator but be careful! Overnight at about 1.5A should do it. Your alarm may need resetting after which then means you need to disconnect the battery for a few seconds, then refit. Stand by with blipper as the alarm may go off when you do this.

[Ribol]

the dodger said:

Overnight at about 1.5A should do it.

Doubt that will do much to a flat 072 battery.

[hazzaboy69]

I forgot to mention that the speedo and rev counter have gone crazy when you turn the ignition and having done some further reading could it be the "big fuse"?

Thanks Harry

[Ribol]

Just a thought, have you checked the battery connections? Earth issues?

[hazzaboy69]

Yeah the connections seem fine.

[Ribol]

It wont hurt to check the Big fuse regardless.

[hazzaboy69]

Thats what I will do, is there anywhere in particular i should jack it up or is anywhere on the chassis ok?

[Cider Andy]

Try jump leads first. If the battery is so down that the alarm is bipping and the instruments 'go crazy', and you can't operate the door solenoids, it really is in need of charging. Or even replacing.

If you are able to properly charge the battery in situ overnight, do so.

If you've had no charging problems previously, there's no need to suspect the 100A fuse, however, if you want to check it you should really jack it up under the one of the main two front-to-back members under the centre of the car, but you may find (if using a trolley jack) that it won't fit under the car. It's better to have a pair of axle stands. If there's no option, use the jack under one of the outriggers to temporarily give you space to put a stand under a main chassis rail, then use the main chassis to jack under.

[the dodger]

Ribol said:

the dodger said: Overnight at about 1.5A should do it. Doubt that will do much to a flat 072 battery.

That's what I did when mine was resembling a pancake. Overnight (and maybe a bit of the following day) - say 12 hrs should do. I wouldn't charge it at a higher rate.