4200 won't start

mjheathcote

Centenary Club
Messages
9,045
Yes put her on a battery tender/conditioner thingie!
Mines flat in less than 2 weeks in the winter months without, and then defaults the info centre to Italian!
 

Tinman

New Member
Messages
176
I'm not sure why I'm awake at this hour though I did have a migraine earlier (probably worrying about the Maser)
I had a quote for a Varta battery £100 fitted including VAT which doesn't sound unreasonable.
I don't keep my car in the garage as Mrs Tinman thinks it's a good place to keep the extra freezer, tumble drier and boxes of useless stuff that's still in boxes from when we moved in two years ago so I'm not sure a battery tender / conditioner will work?
 

philw696

Member
Messages
25,570
To be fair all my cars live in the fresh air the answer is to share the love and use and enjoy them. It works for me. Phil.
 

CatmanV2

Member
Messages
48,868
I'm not sure why I'm awake at this hour though I did have a migraine earlier (probably worrying about the Maser)
I had a quote for a Varta battery £100 fitted including VAT which doesn't sound unreasonable.
I don't keep my car in the garage as Mrs Tinman thinks it's a good place to keep the extra freezer, tumble drier and boxes of useless stuff that's still in boxes from when we moved in two years ago so I'm not sure a battery tender / conditioner will work?

Curiously my garage is similar, though much of the stuff is mine...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/catmanv2/sets/72157633029251782/

I just run the cable out of the garage into the boot. Making sure the boot is shut or it fills with water ;) Needs an element of care or you distort the bumper and then the paint cracks (as I've found out)

Battery sounds a good price. What's the quoted CCA?

C
 

Emtee

New Member
Messages
8,446
Sorry to hear of your woes Tinman. As everyone has said, it does sound like the battery. £100 fitted sounds about right, but check they're careful replacing it. The side boot lining it tight and easily creased, so ideally make sure this is removed along with any other liners required to get easy access. It is possible (just) to do it without removing the liners, but their knuckles wont thank them.

It would be a good idea to get them to check for a drain on the battery at the same time. If you have an old NavTrac fitted, once it's exhausted its own battery it will draw from the main battery irrespective of whether you're subscribed or not.

Starting the car is a huge draw on the battery, so I'd recommend at least 20 if not 30 miles to get a decent charge into it at least once a week. Battery conditioners are the ideal solution as others have said. Regarding jump leads, read your owners manual to get the correct procedure. Get it wrong and there is a risk you will fry your ECU.

Hope you get it sorted.

Regards, Miles.
 

Felonious Crud

Administrator
Staff member
Messages
21,222
Another question, what would you suggest the type of journey I need to keep the battery charged up? I always try and take her for a run on the weekend but have struggled to do this the last two weekends due to family commitments.

20 to 30 minutes of driving should bring the battery back to the level of charge the battery had before you started the engine.
 

hodroyd

Member
Messages
14,150
Hi Tinman,
The price for the varta sounds about right if it is a "Silver" grade. I recently bought one for my 42 and I think it cost around £80 (096) and I fitted it myself. If you get it fitted, I suggest you ask the fitter to turn off the power in the boot before they disconnect, just in case there is any on/off catching of connectors. If you do it yourself you need to take out the boot base liner and the battery side liner so that they are not damaged. It's quite easy to do, all screws, the one in the wheel well is a large plastic one and is not actually a screw but will screw or pull out. Make sure the battery vent plugs are out.
Cheers
R
 

Tinman

New Member
Messages
176
I wish I'd read all these recent posts before I had the battery fitted. The guy from Milford Fast Fit here in Burton-upon-Trent met me at home with the battery. It took him less than 10 mins, no removal of the boot liner or switching off of the power but it started first time. I have a trip to Birkenhead tomorrow and starting out at 06:30 in the morning so fingers crossed.
 

hodroyd

Member
Messages
14,150
Tinman,
If a lot of care is taken, then you can do it without the suggestions, it's just that much more difficult. Removing the liners just makes sure they do not get cracked, or bent and it is easier to get the battery under the electrical boxes which are immediately over where the battery goes and a very tight fit. I did it by removing the liners so that I did not damage anything, but I'm not a regular battery fitter.
 

Phil H

Member
Messages
4,182
Euro Car Parts offer the following prices on a Bosch S5 096 which has Cold Cranking Current (CCA) of 780 and comes with a 5 year guarantee:

List price £143.54
Discounted price £121.20
On-line 'click & collect £ 97.20

BUT on their eBay shop £ 82.39

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bosch-S5-...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item35c815fdc5

It's free delivery or 'click and collect'; I picked mine up today and will fit it tomorrow.

The price is similar to that quoted by Robert for a Varta 'Silver' of similar spec, and it's very competitive.

PH
 

hodroyd

Member
Messages
14,150
The Bosch and the Varta are about the same pricewise, both the same guarantee and performance, get the best price you can..!!

One other important point, check with Cobra Navtrak, by giving the car's original registration to them, if the car is fitted with Navtrak and where it is located, they will tell you. If you have it fitted, it may still have the battery connected and this if kaput will drain even a new battery, try and disconnect the Navtrak Battery..!!