Newbie Battery issues

[Nocker]

Hi all, I've got a bit of a double problem, but from the handbook I'm rather hoping all is not as bad as it seems...

Basically my battery died yesterday, now I think I'm aware of how to get in, but my other problem is my bonnets stuck.

According to the handbook you can get to the battery from the passenger footwell ?, is this the case ? If so, am I best just picking up a new one and putting that (can you do that from footwell access ?)

Regarding the bonnet catch I've tried to get in via a combo of coat hangers and screwdrivers but don't seem to be able to get the purchase needed, but I live near Leven who've kindly said they'll get it up on a ramp to pop from below, my fear on this is if I needed to get to engine bay to change battery ?

Any advices would be fantastic

[ATG]

The battery is in the passenger footwell. There is no need to get into the engine bay. At the end of the footwell there is a carpet panel. Pull it out and you'll see a fiberglass box behind it that holds the battery. The box is bolted through the floor of the car. You'll need to release it from under the car and then lift/pull it back through the footwell.

[theaxe]

If you go take out the battery box it's worth marking it's position (with some chalk or something) so that you can get it back into the same place. If you don't do this it can take a while to re-align the bolts.

[Nocker]

Thanks

[pete1]

When you are Leven, buy their remote start up leads,

I haven't had to use them yet as i put a new battery in, but for peace of mind should a flat battery happen they are worth every penny.

jump starting without them is a horrible mess, with them its easy peasy.

[Nocker]

Just so I'm sure I'm doing the right thing is anyone available for a PM to run through getting in to begin with...

[alanred]

Hi Stuart, Al here. The Battery is around 2 - 2.5 years old. The car (As all Chim's are) was prone to battery discharge. You might find it only needs a good charge. Not sure if you have a garage or not but if you have, it's worth keeping it plugged into a battery conditioner when not in use. You can get one from Leven that plugs straight into the Cig lighter in the drivers door.

WRT the battery it is accesable from the drivers side footwell. It's in a wooden box. All you have to do is go to the end of the foot well (Not under the floor but at the end of the footwell) and pull the carpet towards you this will expose the battery box. Be carfull when removing as it has all sorts of wireing including the ECU box.

[jonathant]

alanred said:

WRT the battery it is accesable from the drivers side footwell.

Actually on the passenger side - but it is behind a bit of carpet.

[alanred]

Absolutely, I think the mind said passenger but the fingers typed driver, that will teach me to re-read what I type.

Thanks JonathonT

[Nocker]

Thanks everyone, and how you doing Al ?

Unfortunately I've just sourced a garage with a mate but at the mo it's still out the front of the flats, seems like I'm going to have to try and have a nice word with the girls in the bottom flat and see if they'll let me charge it out of their flat over the weekend (hopefully the weather holds)

Off down to Leven tomorrow to pick up some bits and pieces, and by the sounds of some of the PM's I've received the normal drain experienced is fairly low..

As above because of the bonnet issue though I've not been driving it much as I know I'm low on Oil and didn't want to damage the engine, hence the drain this time round, but normally it's been fine only getting a run every week/week and a half over the winter months

Again thanks for the advice one and all

[Podie]

pete1 said:

When you are Leven, buy their remote start up leads, I haven't had to use them yet as i put a new battery in, but for peace of mind should a flat battery happen they are worth every penny. jump starting without them is a horrible mess, with them its easy peasy.

Not had mine jump started, but I've lost count of the number of cars mine has jump started... but as you say, the Andersone plug / socket makes it nice and easy.

[alanred]

Yep, doing fine Stuart, thanks for asking. As you can see by my lurking round here I am missing the car. Still, its good to know you still have it and have been enjoying it. As I said the battery is not that old, and I think before I had the conditioner it used to take about 10 days to discharge so you may find that the batterry is fine and all it needs is a charge. If thats the case I would say spend the money you were going to spend on a battery on a conditioner. Once you have one, it's nice to know that when you go on holiday or away for a while you can come back to a car that will start.

Al.

[Rum Runner]

Just got a solar charger from www.maplin.co.uk , £10 , been away for over 10 days and it cranked over like it had just been out for a long drive.