Battery probs

[beechy]

Mornin Gents
I have the old problem where I have not used my car in 3 weeks and so the battery has gone flat. The wierd thing is I am unable to jump it. I followed the instructions for jumping in the hand book.
Any ideas how I can get the old girl goin?

[StuartB]

What happens when you conenct everything up. Does anything work? Sorry to ask this but is it mobilised using the touch key?

[beechy]

Normaly when I turn the key the first 1/2 turn I get some lights on the dash then I hit the imobiliser button on the key and a red light flashes on the dash then I turn it. at the moment I get nothing at all when I do the first 1/2 turn and then nothing when I hit the imobiliser button on the key.

[jig]

Get the battery fully charged first. They don't like running with a dead 'un. I had a similar situation and then bought a CSI airflow battery conditioner (a fancy charger). Let the charger bring the battery back to life and then the alarm and ECU will be able to start things properly.

[beechy]

Cheers, I'll give it a go.
How much is one of those?

[jig]

About 40 quid, but then you can leave it plugged in all the time when the car is parked up and it'll keep the battery topped up whenever it needs it.

With a Lotus badge on, it's 70-80 quid!

[scott64]

Hi I had the same with my 111s s2, so bought a draper trickle charger from Halfords just left it plugged in kept battery in tip top condition. Only 15 quid I think, but now use take car for regular thrashes much better

[niki265]

I'm about to go away for six days so Lizzie will be left in the airport car park, battery draining away... Should I expect it to start on my return, or should I be dialing the AA as soon as we touch the tarmac?

Thanks.

[Sim North East]

Just make sure it is fully charged before you go...

Plenty of spins in the motor should do it

[niki265]

Cheers Sim. In reality I don't own the blessed thing yet, as we're still waiting for paperwork and what knot... but finger's crossed I'll have it before I go away. Come on DVLA, get yer finger's out!

[Sim North East]

I have left mine in the garage a few times whilst we have been on holiday for two weeks plus and had no problems. I normally use mine daily though. The only problem I have had is the brakes sticking, but not a major issue. Getting new ones fitted soon

Niki - what car have you gone for?

[niki265]

I'm hoping to get my hands on a 2002 S2 111S, more or less identical to Carsarecool's...

www.pistonheads.com/pics//members/33614-car.jpg

but it seems to be taking the DVLA forever to sort out the paperwork for the previous owner's private plate, then there's the small issue of some outstanding HPI too.

Argh.

[nobbles]

I have a CSI conditioner, got it from demon tweeks but I thought there was a quick connector that could be permanantly fitted, just came with the crocodile clips...

Anybody have the more permanent connector?

[Sim North East]

Nikki

Nice. Mustard has a few nice motors in stock.

[niki265]

Cheers Sim, I'm still holding out for this private sale... we shall see, but finger's crossed.

[pley]

if you are wiorried about leaving the car outside for a week then you could use a solar trickle charger.

Geary has them.

hth

[beechy]

Great cheers guys. PH to the rescue again.

[jig]

nobbles said:

I have a CSI conditioner, got it from demon tweeks but I thought there was a quick connector that could be permanantly fitted, just came with the crocodile clips... Anybody have the more permanent connector?

Yeah, mine has the permanent lead, connected straight to the battery, so I just plug it in and leave the boot lid slightly open.

The cheap Draper chargers shouldn't be left on permanently as they are a constant (though slow) charger and this, over time, can damage the battery. The Airflow and Optimate type chargers turn themselves off when the battery is charged and only switch back on when it drops below a set voltage. This cycling is actually better for the battery.

[nobbles]

Anybody else with the permanent lead. Demon tweeks are looking into it (very helpful actually but CSI are proving difficult with them) whether mine should have been supplied with the permanent lead or not and how to get hold of one.

Crocodile clips electricity and boot carpet dont go together...

[jig]

If you get no joy, simply pop into Maplins and get a plug and socket and make up your own fly lead:

www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=43091&TabID=1&source=17&WorldID=3&doy=16m2