Battery charging/replacing

[stylo]

Hi, symptoms on my 04 4200 CC: when starting the engine takes a second or so before fully firing - not an issue and has always started first time. Today though the red light on the battery charge display was on (red) which I'm guessing means that the battery may not have had much charge in it. Time for a new battery?

Took a look at eurospares 106 for a battery - not too bad but would be easier to pick one up from a local place. Any recommendations for suitable types?

cheers
Adam

 

[Parisien]

Ideally, get a heavier duty version, make sure posts are on correct side for easy of fitting.......but I think you should aim for around the £80 mark.......£106 sounds a bit strong!


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[Parisien]

This on an older post from Loz...............


"Of course your in the right place Stuart, The original Fiamm batteries are now hard to come by , i would say any heavy duty battery of the right spec, 12v 74ah 440a iec 400a din will do the trick , i just bought one for my 4200 a 6 months back from my local factors £52.99 plus vat done me well right through the winter with all that cold starting and being left for weeks on end dont be scared to move away from oem with batteries

regards loz "


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[Emtee]

Hi Adam, I replaced my original Fiamm with a Bosch Silver plus S5. 77Ah, 780A. It has the same dims and works a treat. Better storage and better delivery of juice on start-up. Bit of a pig to fit so just beware the fuses and relays above. The Varta Ultra Dynamic is also good I believe. Alternatively, just find any with the correct dims and a similar spec to the Bosch and you won't go too far wrong. Expect to start at around £60.00 and go as far as you want. I paid £115 but I did need the advantage of popping down the road to get it off the shelf at Halfrauds. Hope this helps, Cheers, Miles.

 

[stylo]

Great many thanks will take a look in the stores.

 

[Easyplan66]

that's very usesful will remember for the winter

 

[OzzieAl]

Guys,

I have used these in the past and think they are fantastic. Not sure if they will fit in a maserati but I used them in the UK. You can buy them there as well.
Much longer life. An auto electrican put me onto them years ago.
http://www.optimabatteries.com.au/

 

[stylo]

Went for the Bosch at Halfords - expensive but less hassle than having something delivered. No I'll try and squeeze it in!

 

[conaero]

Adam, just a thought, when you say it takes a second or two for the starter to kick in, you have not left it in gear have you? With your foot on the brake, the car has to take it into neutral before energising the starter?

Just a thought?

 

[stylo]

Thanks but no - usually in gear when parked in the street but in my garage it is neutral with a parking brick under the wheel. Will be interesting to see if there is an obvious difference with the new battery - might record the sound before and after!

 

[conaero]

You might have the dreaded NavTrak power leak?

 

[stylo]

I think it is really OK - the battery is a Fiamm so could well be the original one still in a 6 year old car. I guess they can't last forever and maybe the amount of retained charge is just not quite high enough any longer so the red light is coming on. It'll be "fun" putting in the battery - especially if the car works afterwards! It can't be harder than taking out the pollen filter - he says hopefully ;-)

 

[Parisien]

I think it is really OK - the battery is a Fiamm so could well be the original one still in a 6 year old car. I guess they can't last forever and maybe the amount of retained charge is just not quite high enough any longer so the red light is coming on. It'll be "fun" putting in the battery - especially if the car works afterwards! It can't be harder than taking out the pollen filter - he says hopefully ;-)

Its very awkward Stylo.......6 yrs old is positively geriatric! For the V8 lump it does need to be in tip top shape I beleive.

Sometimes best to remove the whole side interior cover in the boot to give you decent access....make sure to get a heavier duty battery as well.........check battery post positions too!


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[lozcb]

Went for the Bosch at Halfords - expensive but less hassle than having something delivered. No I'll try and squeeze it in!

Added tips for fitting , Drop drivers window, Isolate battery Dont forget to fix the breather pipe , you will most likely pull the existing one off on removal , but if you have a good look behind the rear light cluster all will be evident for re fixing ,
Also some 2" gaffer tape will be handy if you want to save your pinkies , suggest you fix some tape on the underside of the fuse /relay box above the battery stretch it and tape it up to the wing this will give you the 5mm you need to get the old one out and the new one in , believe me its tight in there

regards loz

 

[Parisien]

Added tips for fitting , Drop drivers window, Isolate battery Dont forget to fix the breather pipe , you will most likely pull the existing one off on removal , but if you have a good look behind the rear light cluster all will be evident for re fixing ,
Also some 2" gaffer tape will be handy if you want to save your pinkies , suggest you fix some tape on the underside of the fuse /relay box above the battery stretch it and tape it up to the wing this will give you the 5mm you need to get the old one out and the new one in , believe me its tight in there

regards loz

Loz....maybe best to do a step by step guide to this.....put it in fixes etc?


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[conaero]

One other thing to add, when removing the battery (as some sod did on mine) be careful not to hit the underside of the rear wing with any tools, you will get a very nasty reverse parking dent (highspot) right on the curve where the eye looks. A dent man got mine out for me....they are worth their weight those guys.

6 years old, yes, you have had the best from it, so am sure the change will sort your problem.

 

[lozcb]

Loz....maybe best to do a step by step guide to this.....put it in fixes etc?


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Maybe next time i do it Frank , but both cars now have recent batteries within the last 9 months so wont be anytime soon i fear

regards loz

 

[stylo]

Thanks for all the tips.

To gain more access space I took off the carpet/cover around the entrance to the battery area and this made removal/reinstallation a breeze. This requires removing the rear plastic cover along the inside of the boot but - all in all 10 mins, job done (inc breather tube reconnected). Car started and all things work OK BUT..... After parking and locking with the key button the alarm arms - 3 flashes on the indicators, after 20 secs there is a churp sound from the car - never had this before. Any suggestions what that could be? I'm thinking the alarm may need some kind of additional reset. Will try tomorrow isolating the battery, checking the cables are all connected up well and leaving it isolated for 10 mins and trying again.
cheers
Adam

 

[conaero]

Adam, the alarm has its own battery power supply I believe similar to the NavTrak, which is now flat. Give it overnight and it should charge up again.

You can reset the alarm, by locking it an holding the fob button down till it makes a final bleep.

Nothing to worry about.

 

[Emtee]

Adam, the alarm has its own battery power supply I believe similar to the NavTrak, which is now flat. Give it overnight and it should charge up again.

You can reset the alarm, by locking it an holding the fob button down till it makes a final bleep.

Nothing to worry about.

Did not know that! Good info. Thanks.