Don't Get Locked Out of Your Boot
Discussion
This is a little tip for our new members.
Sooner or later, for one reason or another, you will find you can’t open the boot. More of a problem for V8S owners because that’s where the battery is. There is usually a secret emergency release cable which I can’t tell you about on here for obvious reasons, but it is a total PIA to find and use. I found this out the hard way, as usual
To avoid being caught out again, I fitted a remote manual release using one of THESE.
All you need to do is link the new cable to the existing one using a choc-block and secure the cable outer to the solenoid with some zip-ties. Where you locate the pull handle is up to you. Easy peasey
Sooner or later, for one reason or another, you will find you can’t open the boot. More of a problem for V8S owners because that’s where the battery is. There is usually a secret emergency release cable which I can’t tell you about on here for obvious reasons, but it is a total PIA to find and use. I found this out the hard way, as usual
To avoid being caught out again, I fitted a remote manual release using one of THESE.
All you need to do is link the new cable to the existing one using a choc-block and secure the cable outer to the solenoid with some zip-ties. Where you locate the pull handle is up to you. Easy peasey
Hello V8
We had out S3 out today at a local classic car & kites show
You have done a really useful release to the boot opening.The times today I went to get into the boot finding the ignition was still on,luckily no flat battery,,it's trying to remember -as soon as the boot opens to switch the ignition off I've just shown O/H Rick your pictures
Cheers
We had out S3 out today at a local classic car & kites show
You have done a really useful release to the boot opening.The times today I went to get into the boot finding the ignition was still on,luckily no flat battery,,it's trying to remember -as soon as the boot opens to switch the ignition off I've just shown O/H Rick your pictures
Cheers
For the 'flat battery' scenario I find that jumper leads on to the alternator power terminal while somebody holds the boot release button is the easiest way in. I fitted a Priority Start automatic battery isolator years ago and it eliminated all those lights-left-on sillies and problems with flat batteries in the airport car park.
v8s4me said:
GreenV8S said:
.... I fitted a Priority Start automatic battery isolator ......
What is one of these and where can I get one? Thanks Don't have a problem at Airport car parks, never been to one in the S
The one I use is something like this:
http://www.mcssl.com/store/prioritystart/12vpromax...
I don't know who sells them in the UK - I got mine from a fellow sprinter who imported a load of them. It doesn't need to be armed and will protect the battery automatically if it is drained while the engine is off (has logic to prevent triggering while the engine is running so it won't kill the engine if there is a charging problem). This one is particularly convenient in that it will automatically reconnect if the electrical load changes eg from interior light coming on as you open the door or you trying to engage the starter, so you don't really notice it apart from the 'whirr-clunk' of it reconnecting that tells you it has just protected you from a flat battery. Some of the competing products I looked into at the time weren't as good in that respect, but no doubt there are some that are.
http://www.mcssl.com/store/prioritystart/12vpromax...
I don't know who sells them in the UK - I got mine from a fellow sprinter who imported a load of them. It doesn't need to be armed and will protect the battery automatically if it is drained while the engine is off (has logic to prevent triggering while the engine is running so it won't kill the engine if there is a charging problem). This one is particularly convenient in that it will automatically reconnect if the electrical load changes eg from interior light coming on as you open the door or you trying to engage the starter, so you don't really notice it apart from the 'whirr-clunk' of it reconnecting that tells you it has just protected you from a flat battery. Some of the competing products I looked into at the time weren't as good in that respect, but no doubt there are some that are.
phillpot said:
Here you go, this will send you a message when you've got a flat battery
From the blurb....."MAKE YOUR BATTERIES TALK TO YOU...... Your batteries will now start talk to you".Talking bo
ks more like 
phillpot said:
...This sort of thing..... Battery Brain?
Much more sensible and thanks to Pete for the link to the other one.Gassing Station | S Series | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff