Tamora - dead possibly - urgent help required

[theHotHead]

Hello all. I can't believe my bad luck - broke my phone and now my car won't start and I have to drive somewhere tonight.

I got in the car last night and tried to start it - heard a rapid ticking sound from somewhere and nothing happened. so I tried the ignition again, this time the dials did their thing but I got a warning code 245 - Power Supply. I scrolled through the dash settings and saw the battery read 12v.

When I tried to turn the key round fully nothing happens, no pumps prime, no sounds are made, its as if I am not turning the key. Then lights started flashing all over the place and I had no idea what was going on. I tried immobilising then de-mobilising a few times, no joy. I tried using that little stubby thing in the receptor, still no joy.

I spoke to the TVR Centre/Trimar Sports and they suggested the battery may be low, I only drive the car once a week and even then its normally a short run. I have jump leads with the Anderson connector on it but - I can't get in the car now to try and jump start it.

Does anyone have any suggestions please, I'm desperate.

Thanks.

[Pied Piper]

It does sound like the battery is flat. Try connecting up another battery with the jump leads, you should be able to get into the car with the other battery attached.

Edited by Pied Piper on Saturday 5th September 17:31

[theHotHead]

I connected another battery - from a Toyota something or other 4 door saloon. Nothing happened for a while, I still couldn't get in the car. after 15 mins the indicator lights flashed and I was able to get in.

When I turned the ignition I got the 245 error again and lots of clicking. Then I tried again, and I heard the usual whirs and beeps when the car is operating properly. The volt thing read about 13.2, I tried to start, it tried to turn over but couldn't. The Toyota driver started revving her car but unfortunately the rev counter dial's needle was pointing at 12 O'Clock and won't drop. Any turn of the key is greeted by nothing, nothing happens at all now.

I'm about to take the front wheel off and see if I can get the battery out to charge or replace it.

[theHotHead]

OK - I couldn't get the wheel off, the last person to touch the wheel obviously did it up far too tight - I'm not weak !!

I'm thinking I might just buy a replacement battery and then get a mechanic to change it for me. Do you think I could call out the AA and get them to replace it ? Otherwise I'll have to get the car recovered to a garage.

Any suggestions for the model of battery I need please ? Out of interest, the car is an 06, it gets driven once a week admittedly the distances are not far but, should the battery need replacing after only 3 years ??

[900T-R]

theHotHead said:

Any suggestions for the model of battery I need please ? Out of interest, the car is an 06, it gets driven once a week admittedly the distances are not far but, should the battery need replacing after only 3 years ??

Not necessarily but given the sort of (non)usage your car gets, it's within the realm of normality.

[Hunter T]

i think you dont use the car enough, they thrieve on being driven.....your missing out on the fun bit and suffering more of the negitive side as a result...Get it fixed and treat your self and the car to a long run out everyday. Im always "just nipping out to the shop" and going the VERY long way round!!!!

[cramorra]

With a new battery buy an accumate- save a lot of hassle

[900T-R]

Not always possible to use one - no power sockets in the underground parking where my Tiv sits when I'm not enjoying it on the road...

[GreenV8S]

If it's only being used for occasional short trips then it would be easy for the battery to get run down. Once you've fixed it, I suggest you fit an automatic battery isolator so that at least it won't go completely flat. You'll still need to make sure it gets run for long enough to recharge the battery, in any case repeated short trips are extremely bad for the engine, in the summer you will build up acid in the crank case, in the winter you will build up acid and water, both very bad for the internals.

[kcc]

Sounds very much like the alternator needs looking at, i had exactly the same problems as you discribe code 245 etc,

[cramorra]

I may sound toatally stupid, but it's probably worth to check this 100 amp fuse on the alternator as well... (no offence if you did that already...)

[kcc]

cramorra said:

I may sound toatally stupid, but it's probably worth to check this 100 amp fuse on the alternator as well... (no offence if you did that already...)

I checked mine at the time and it was ok ,worth a look though,
fiddly job so i had had mine put in the engine bay along with the anderson plug.

[cramorra]

kcc said:

cramorra said:

I may sound toatally stupid, but it's probably worth to check this 100 amp fuse on the alternator as well... (no offence if you did that already...)

I checked mine at the time and it was ok ,worth a look though,
fiddly job so i had had mine put in the engine bay along with the anderson plug.

one of the most useful mods around....

[theHotHead]

Thanks peeps. I just looked at the manual and I couldn't see any mention of the alternator fuse, I take it it is located somewhere annoying difficult to get to ?

Regarding the battery removal, I got the wheel off, opened the compartment, removed the leads connected to the battery, turned the metal clamp so as to free the battery - but I can't get it out. what else needs to be removed/loosened to get the battery out please ?

Cheers

[Targarama]

theHotHead said:

Thanks peeps. I just looked at the manual and I couldn't see any mention of the alternator fuse, I take it it is located somewhere annoying difficult to get to ?

Regarding the battery removal, I got the wheel off, opened the compartment, removed the leads connected to the battery, turned the metal clamp so as to free the battery - but I can't get it out. what else needs to be removed/loosened to get the battery out please ?

Cheers

The battery is kind of wedged in behind the chassis rail, so perhaps it is just stuck after several years of road grime. Try levering it around the base.

The alternatio fuse is also known as the 100A fuse - do a search on here, there are lot of threads about it. It is located underneath the airbox. You may be able to see it be just taking the top part of the airbox off and peering down at the engine block behind the lower part of the box. You will probably need to remove the lower part to replace the fuse safely if it needs to be done.

[theHotHead]

YES !!!! Battery out ! Who's the daddy, LOL. Now to charge it overnight. I'll report back tomorrow hopefully. Fingers crossed it is nothing more than that.

Edited by theHotHead on Sunday 6th September 18:24

[theHotHead]

Double YES !!! I put the battery back in and she kicked into life immediately.

Thank you all very much for your help. I'll go for more drives now that I have a very good reason to.

[kcc]

theHotHead said:

Double YES !!! I put the battery back in and she kicked into life immediately.

Thank you all very much for your help. I'll go for more drives now that I have a very good reason to.

Well done mate now get out there an show her who's the boss,