Battery problems

[Buzz Killington]

I've got my v12v booked in for a service soon, and just last week I have run into some problems.

I took the car out for a run to my usual Esso garage for some petrol. It's about a 20 Mon drive from me. I started the car, and withi hindsight it was a bit sluggish to start. I hadn't driven her in a few weeks but it lives on a trickle charger. Got to the garage, got my fuel, jumped back in ... No dice. Engine wouldn't turn over. I jump stated the car and got home. Once home parked her up and stopped the engine. Then started fine. Another week on the trickle charger.

I decided to unplug that and see what happens after 24hrs. Started ok. Maybe a little sluggish. Drove for 45 mins round some local Twisties stopped the car to pick up my son wouldn't start again. Had my jump pack with me so started no problems. During this trip I get a call from AM tracking saying they have detected a tracking event which is odd as I had my tracker thingy with me. Also the seats won't move. Tried all the buttons and nothing happens.

After that drive, tried starting it again on the drive way, started again.

Just wondering what the good folks on this forum think before she goes in week after next for a service.

Thanks,

Buzz.

[Minglar]

Hi Buzz

It sounds like the tracker may be causing the problems. It’s a common fault with the earlier cars, before they started fitting Vodafone/CobraTrak units. My car is from 2012, and the tracker packed up a few years ago. The faulty unit caused a rapid battery drain, although there were a few other electrical gremlins apparent beforehand. The infotainment started playing up, and I had some problems with the seats too, similar to what you mentioned. In the end I had a newer tracker fitted, and a new battery, and since then everything has been fine.

There’s a video here from BR on the subject, may be worth a watch.

https://youtu.be/btUcB0onVnY

You may be lucky, and the tracker could be ok, but I’d certainly get a new battery fitted, at a minimum.

Hope that helps a bit

Best Regards

Minglar

Edited by Minglar on Saturday 14th August 09:16

Edited by Minglar on Saturday 14th August 09:26

[SHIFTY]

Tracker call was probably due to the unit thinking that the battery had been disconnected as it was flat.

How old is the battery if its close to 5 years I would suggest that you look at a replacement.

[Matt_E_Mulsion]

That is the classic signs of a failing battery. Don't mess around with it or start over thinking it, just get a new battery on it.

[Buzz Killington]

Thanks for the swift responses.

My thoughts were also battery or tracker.

Second question is:

I have a road trip planned for my wife's 40th before she is in for the service. 3 drives, about 150 miles in total. I bought a nifty lithium ion jump starter which started it great yesterday. Should I risk the drive or take the daily? I'm itching to go to some posh hotels in the tin.

[Jon39]

Buzz Killington said:

... my wife's 40th before she is in for the service. ...

I spotted your joke. Is a spark plug change recommended at 40 years/400,000 miles.

Very good forward thinking to have a jump starter with you. I would have been stuck.
Perhaps persuade your helpful dealer to fit a new battery, before you go away. It might only take them 45 minutes.

Enjoy your trip.

[paulrog1]

Ben, I would get a new battery, not sure about a V12V but mine was an easy swap out in my DB9 I and got the battery from halfords around £120.
After connecting it up connect the car to the trickle charger for at least 24hrs to charge the battery up then your good to go.

[Matt_E_Mulsion]

paulrog1 said:

Ben, I would get a new battery, not sure about a V12V but mine was an easy swap out in my DB9 I and got the battery from halfords around £120.
After connecting it up connect the car to the trickle charger for at least 24hrs to charge the battery up then your good to go.

This!!!

[Jon39]

Minglar said:

It sounds like the tracker may be causing the problems.
There’s a video here from BR on the subject, may be worth a watch.

Wonder what main dealers do about this fault. Do they say you must have a new tracker module to stop the electrical 'gremlins', even though the customers tracker subscription might have lapsed ?
They might not be permitted to do 'workarounds'.

[Buzz Killington]

Jon39 said:

Minglar said:

It sounds like the tracker may be causing the problems.
There’s a video here from BR on the subject, may be worth a watch.

Wonder what main dealers do about this fault. Do they say you must have a new tracker module to stop the electrical 'gremlins', even though the customers tracker subscription might have lapsed ?
They might not be permitted to do 'workarounds'.

Not sure, although mine is still subscribed. I'll let you know what they say.

[Minglar]

Jon39 said:

Minglar said:

It sounds like the tracker may be causing the problems.
There’s a video here from BR on the subject, may be worth a watch.

Wonder what main dealers do about this fault. Do they say you must have a new tracker module to stop the electrical 'gremlins', even though the customers tracker subscription might have lapsed ?
They might not be permitted to do 'workarounds'.

Hi Jon

I never really asked the question when I had problems with mine. I was up to date with my AM Eurowatch subscription but the unit just failed, and they couldn’t locate it remotely at all. Once it happens I guess you have two choices. Get it disconnected/decommissioned or cough up for a new one. I wasn’t told I had to replace it, but I did, as I didn’t like the idea of my car not having the protection. Unfortunately it was out of warranty so I had to pay for the replacement unit. It also took a few weeks before AM approved it, but the newer system is a lot better, and Vodafone/CobraTrak have been pretty good in my experience to date. As I said, since it was replaced it’s been trouble free (fingers crossed), and no more battery problems either.

Best Regards

Minglar

[Buzz Killington]

Bought a battery from Halfords, fitted it. All seems to be well, seat controls working again, starts like it's got a new battery

Thanks for the help.

[Matt_E_Mulsion]

Good to hear that you've got it sorted easily.