Maybe new battery time.. Specialist or?
Discussion
Long thread hope you have the time to read...
A few hours ago I went to the car in garage which has not been started for one week but is kept on trickle charger.
The green light on charger was showing but when starting it sounding very weak but just about started.
I was only popping to local shops 1 mile away but went the very long way round 15 miles to give some charge back in. Nervously I turned the engine off and popped into the shop and returned 3 minutes later.
Fuel pump primed ok and turned the key,very flat and battery light was showing and would't start. I sat there for a minute saying to myself "Oh know" then a "please please" came and I pressed the key fob,pump primed and tried again... It just about made it
I drove back a different way even a quick blast up the motorway covering about another 12 miles before reaching home. Reversed into garage so access to Anderson connector would be easier if requiring jumping off the other car. Switched off and tried to start almost straight away,still not I was expecting as it was still flat but just turned over.
Plugged into charger and returned 1 hr later,trickle charger was on yellow but impatience got the better of me jumped in pressed fob fuel pump primed and lights all looked brighter and started much better. Turned off and tried for a restart,it started but again sounds weak.
I have gone through my history folder of bills and don't see anywhere recently that a battery has been replaced.
So now coming to the conclusion it's best to buy a new battery and not being confident to fit myself am I best to let the specialists supply and fit or are the likes of Halfords capable of fitting and may save myself so money?
My car has to go back to the specialists as having just had manifold gaskets replaced they said to bring it back just to recheck they are tight.
I am in Midlands area so if anyone can point me to a capable alternative or to hear it's not worth it let Power do it I would be very grateful .
A few hours ago I went to the car in garage which has not been started for one week but is kept on trickle charger.
The green light on charger was showing but when starting it sounding very weak but just about started.
I was only popping to local shops 1 mile away but went the very long way round 15 miles to give some charge back in. Nervously I turned the engine off and popped into the shop and returned 3 minutes later.
Fuel pump primed ok and turned the key,very flat and battery light was showing and would't start. I sat there for a minute saying to myself "Oh know" then a "please please" came and I pressed the key fob,pump primed and tried again... It just about made it
I drove back a different way even a quick blast up the motorway covering about another 12 miles before reaching home. Reversed into garage so access to Anderson connector would be easier if requiring jumping off the other car. Switched off and tried to start almost straight away,still not I was expecting as it was still flat but just turned over.
Plugged into charger and returned 1 hr later,trickle charger was on yellow but impatience got the better of me jumped in pressed fob fuel pump primed and lights all looked brighter and started much better. Turned off and tried for a restart,it started but again sounds weak.
I have gone through my history folder of bills and don't see anywhere recently that a battery has been replaced.
So now coming to the conclusion it's best to buy a new battery and not being confident to fit myself am I best to let the specialists supply and fit or are the likes of Halfords capable of fitting and may save myself so money?
My car has to go back to the specialists as having just had manifold gaskets replaced they said to bring it back just to recheck they are tight.
I am in Midlands area so if anyone can point me to a capable alternative or to hear it's not worth it let Power do it I would be very grateful .
If it's already going to a specialist (and it will start) then I would ask them to do it while they have it.
I would probably not take it to somewhere like Halfords just because it's in an unusual place and access is not good. So unless you are watching them carefully, they may not take as much care as you would. I'm sure they are perfectly capable of changing the battery itself, its moving all the wires out of the way and then putting them back again afterwards I would be worried about.
It's not hard to do just awkward, the hardest bit is lining up the holes for the battery box but if you mark the position of the box with some tape then it's pretty straightforward.
I would probably not take it to somewhere like Halfords just because it's in an unusual place and access is not good. So unless you are watching them carefully, they may not take as much care as you would. I'm sure they are perfectly capable of changing the battery itself, its moving all the wires out of the way and then putting them back again afterwards I would be worried about.
It's not hard to do just awkward, the hardest bit is lining up the holes for the battery box but if you mark the position of the box with some tape then it's pretty straightforward.
Colin RedGriff said:
If it's already going to a specialist (and it will start) then I would ask them to do it while they have it.
I would probably not take it to somewhere like Halfords just because it's in an unusual place and access is not good. So unless you are watching them carefully, they may not take as much care as you would. I'm sure they are perfectly capable of changing the battery itself, its moving all the wires out of the way and then putting them back again afterwards I would be worried about.
It's not hard to do just awkward, the hardest bit is lining up the holes for the battery box but if you mark the position of the box with some tape then it's pretty straightforward.
Thank you Colin for the reply....I would probably not take it to somewhere like Halfords just because it's in an unusual place and access is not good. So unless you are watching them carefully, they may not take as much care as you would. I'm sure they are perfectly capable of changing the battery itself, its moving all the wires out of the way and then putting them back again afterwards I would be worried about.
It's not hard to do just awkward, the hardest bit is lining up the holes for the battery box but if you mark the position of the box with some tape then it's pretty straightforward.
I have just been over to the car which has been on trickle for a few hrs and it fired as strong as it ever has.
I use my car on a regularly basis and in my 10 months of owning have never left it for one week before without use.
I think it's showing signs of needing replacement and will take your advice not to send it to an independent. Even if I was watching over their shoulder I would't know what to be looking for. I just for the first time pulled back the carpet to have a look where the battery is and could't even work out how to remove the grey carpet that surrounds it.. Looks like it's glued in
Saw a lot of wires and tangled mess and thought I'll just put the blue carpet back 
Thanks again Colin... Regards Jas
Halfords won't do it for you, they'll take one look at it and say no 
They only fit easy things, they refuse to do a lot of car headlights because they take more than 15 minutes. Any decent garage will do it for you but if you're taking it to a specialist anyway you might as well let them do it as they may spot/check other things whilst they are there that a regular garage won't do. Ask them to change the 100amp fuse whilst they are there if you've never had it done before.
They only fit easy things, they refuse to do a lot of car headlights because they take more than 15 minutes. Any decent garage will do it for you but if you're taking it to a specialist anyway you might as well let them do it as they may spot/check other things whilst they are there that a regular garage won't do. Ask them to change the 100amp fuse whilst they are there if you've never had it done before.
s p a c e m a n said:
Halfords won't do it for you, they'll take one look at it and say no
They only fit easy things, they refuse to do a lot of car headlights because they take more than 15 minutes. Any decent garage will do it for you but if you're taking it to a specialist anyway you might as well let them do it as they may spot/check other things whilst they are there that a regular garage won't do. Ask them to change the 100amp fuse whilst they are there if you've never had it done before.
Thanks for confirming... Was already getting the idea Halfords was a They only fit easy things, they refuse to do a lot of car headlights because they take more than 15 minutes. Any decent garage will do it for you but if you're taking it to a specialist anyway you might as well let them do it as they may spot/check other things whilst they are there that a regular garage won't do. Ask them to change the 100amp fuse whilst they are there if you've never had it done before.
It's just had a service at Power and I asked about the fuse and they had put a new one in already. Says 125 amp fuse link on my bill.. Thanks for the advice though
s p a c e m a n said:
That's the plug for the fault code reader, google roverguage to see the fun to be had 
Thanks spaceman.... That's exactly what i thought it was I'll just tuck it back then
My fun just comes from owning them and driving them.... Way to technical for me.
Thanks again... New battery it is then
When I was wondering about my battery I took the car to a local independent, Tanvik. A geezer about my age, with his own elderly but well cared for Z3 parked outside, came over, tested the battery thoroughly and said it was indeed on its way out. He selected an Exide Excel battery, 072 or 073, cannot remember which, but they are the same battery, one left handed one right. He fitted it for me, taking proper care,the car 3 feet off the ground on a 2 post lift, and it has always been eager to start ever since.
Cost? Under£90, about £7 more than ordering online and having to fit it myself.
Cost? Under£90, about £7 more than ordering online and having to fit it myself.
Fitting the battery yourself is easy, just take your time. Before you undo the 2 screws which secure the battery box to the floor draw around the bottom of the battery box on the fibreglass floor so you can put it back in the same place to help locate the 2 screws. It's that straight forward I don't know what all the fuss is about.
scruggs said:
You are talking about 10 or 15 mile runs to charge the battery up but have you ever come across the hot start issue that affects many? It would explain why it starts more easily from cold over night than just after a run.
Thanks for giving an alternative..But I don't think this relates to mine... It's always kept on trickle charger and even on first start up it just does not sound like it had the same Umpfff he used to have.
I have then after it has started switched off and tried again and it sounds weaker than the first start and this is before any chance of getting any heat.
Then today after I got back car was on the drive roof off engine cold and it started to rain so I got in the car to move to garage. So engine cold and it started but weak again,I drove round to the garage and once inside switched off. I then after about a minute tried a re start and it fired up like it always used to full of life
Mr Supercharged said:
Fitting the battery yourself is easy, just take your time. Before you undo the 2 screws which secure the battery box to the floor draw around the bottom of the battery box on the fibreglass floor so you can put it back in the same place to help locate the 2 screws. It's that straight forward I don't know what all the fuss is about.
If you do forget to mark it up first - not a problem. Once the battery is out of the box it is very easy to realign and bolt through the empty box and then mark it.Second helpful hint - do not let the doors close when the battery is disconnected as you will not be able to get into the car. Either prop them open with something or fold an old towel up and stick it in the hinge end to stop the door fully closing.
Thanks for all the advice coming through
Gavgavgav... That's a very good idea
Over-the -hill... Even though it's been mentioned fitting yourself is probably a number one on the maintenance scale I'm still going to get it done by a fitter so locking myself will not be an issue. (The roof is off anyway) But thanks for the forward thinking.
Just confused why 1hr I have a very weak start then the next hour it fires as though it has full power(Engine cold). Went over to it 30 mins ago (Trickle charger on all over night) and noticed that the red light was showing before even opening any doors.
I have noticed in the past that if I open the door and interior light comes on then go to the boot to unplug before starting the light has gone from green to yellow but still starts full of life.
My car also had a service only 3 weeks ago.
Gavgavgav... That's a very good idea
Over-the -hill... Even though it's been mentioned fitting yourself is probably a number one on the maintenance scale I'm still going to get it done by a fitter so locking myself will not be an issue. (The roof is off anyway) But thanks for the forward thinking.
Just confused why 1hr I have a very weak start then the next hour it fires as though it has full power(Engine cold). Went over to it 30 mins ago (Trickle charger on all over night) and noticed that the red light was showing before even opening any doors.
I have noticed in the past that if I open the door and interior light comes on then go to the boot to unplug before starting the light has gone from green to yellow but still starts full of life.
My car also had a service only 3 weeks ago.
QBee said:
When I was wondering about my battery I took the car to a local independent, Tanvik. A geezer about my age, with his own elderly but well cared for Z3 parked outside, came over, tested the battery thoroughly and said it was indeed on its way out. He selected an Exide Excel battery, 072 or 073, cannot remember which, but they are the same battery, one left handed one right. He fitted it for me, taking proper care,the car 3 feet off the ground on a 2 post lift, and it has always been eager to start ever since.
Cost? Under£90, about £7 more than ordering online and having to fit it myself.
Hi Anthony..Cost? Under£90, about £7 more than ordering online and having to fit it myself.
It would cost me £60 in fuel to get there and back... Man Maths don't always work.
TVRJAS said:
Went over to it 30 mins ago (Trickle charger on all over night) and noticed that the red light was showing before even opening any doors.
Are you referring to the red ignition light in the dash or a red light on the charger?I'd be concerned if the ignition light is on or glowing before switching the ignition.
LordGrover said:
TVRJAS said:
Went over to it 30 mins ago (Trickle charger on all over night) and noticed that the red light was showing before even opening any doors.
Are you referring to the red ignition light in the dash or a red light on the charger?I'd be concerned if the ignition light is on or glowing before switching the ignition.
The red light on the charger.. Just went over again to have another look and charger light is still red.
I just changed mine as although it had always been on an Accumate and would happily show the green light, it wasn't until it was required to turn over the engine for more than a few seconds that I realized it was goosed. Using a booster pack also revealed how fast the engine should turn over with a proper feed.
The other thing is you cannot see the state of them because of the battery box it sits in, but once out it was bulging at the sides slightly.
The other thing is you cannot see the state of them because of the battery box it sits in, but once out it was bulging at the sides slightly.
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