My turn for battery probs....

Wanderer

Member
Messages
5,791
Newish battery, 12 months or so - occasion goes flat if car isn't used for a few days but it's odd, sometimes a week and it's fine.

I've had the car in BE/LU for pst two months and battery did go flat once, charged it - was quite quick so maybe it was 'on the edge'. Fine after, no issue.

Drove 350 kms to Rotterdam for Hull overnight ferry, no issues, all great. Got in car this morning to drive off the boat, flat battery. I turned alarm and anti-lift detector off on embarkation so there's no excuse, I can't understand why it went flat.

Ferry crew have a jump starter so we did that and sorted it but I think I must have a battery drain. And as I have Navtrack that cant be helping so I want to rip that out.

Oddly enough and as I didn't have time to do the relearning process, just jumped in and drove off, car made some cracking rev/exhaust noises on the A63, I'm certain of it since I kept trying to replicate it!

Got battery from Tanya, might check warranty, otherwise I'll get it tested but I really want the Navtrack out of the loop.

Passed 120k today BTW, is mine the highest mileage in the forum?
 

RobinL

Member
Messages
456
Just guessing and may be way off base but some GPS trackers use a lot of power when they can't get a signal. Along the lines of a keep alive signal every 30 minutes when stationary and good reception but when no signal the default is a continuous transmission..but battery should cope with that so probably a bit of both!?

Sent from my ONEPLUS A5010 using Tapatalk
 

Oneball

Member
Messages
11,075
If it’s gone flat on the ferry I reckon you either have a massive battery drain or the battery is toast.
 

montravia

Member
Messages
1,618
I suspected a tracking system drain.
Completely dead.
However on applying the mx charger it indicated a decent capacity.
It was suggested that the -ve terminal had a poor connection.
Unclipped. A quick clean and abrade, some switch cleaner. Reconnect.
Fired up healthily. Been fine since.
Common issue on -ve terminal corrosion/electrolysis
 

Wanderer

Member
Messages
5,791
I suspected a tracking system drain.
Completely dead.
However on applying the mx charger it indicated a decent capacity.
It was suggested that the -ve terminal had a poor connection.
Unclipped. A quick clean and abrade, some switch cleaner. Reconnect.
Fired up healthily. Been fine since.
Common issue on -ve terminal corrosion/electrolysis
I was thinking along those lines, as it went flat a few weeks ago due to lack of use, was expecting it, but I rather hastily clamped the battery back in after charging and I'm thinking I've not really tightened up the terminal clamps enough.

Next job.....
 

Wanderer

Member
Messages
5,791
If it’s gone flat on the ferry I reckon you either have a massive battery drain or the battery is toast.
But battery was fine last two weeks and I'd just done a longish trip, I haven't really been using the car much but I go for quick blasts to keep it charged up, and I can almost predict when the battery will be flat usually.

Not this time tho!
 

rs48635

Member
Messages
3,181
After cleaning negative terminal and tightening, check it is really secure. Had a cracked terminal once on previous car (not maserati). My QP seems to use almost all of the thread to nip up the terminal.
 

Wanderer

Member
Messages
5,791
Left car overnight and checked just now - started up like it was 4million volt battery.

I think it may be either me turning off the alarm on the boat, or maybe leaving a light on or something but I doubt that very much...
 

rs48635

Member
Messages
3,181
Left car overnight and checked just now - started up like it was 4million volt battery.

I think it may be either me turning off the alarm on the boat, or maybe leaving a light on or something but I doubt that very much...
Could be related, always had a problem with my driving shoes. The left one was always much too tight. My mate Lloydy reckons I should try it with my tongue out, but he could never understand my reply.
 

Wanderer

Member
Messages
5,791
Car been standing now for nearly a week, tried to start it fearing more scraped knuckles getting the battery out and back in, started like a demon!

I don't understand it. I'm scared of it now!
 

montravia

Member
Messages
1,618
There you go. Negative terminal. Mine has been a pain for 3 years. After Catman's advice on cleaning terminal, she's fine and healthy. My gal started healthily today after 10 days. Used to need charging.
 

Wanderer

Member
Messages
5,791
Loose connection or dirty terminal/earth as suggested?
I think so - just back in UK now for a bit, was preparing to lay car up but probs won't now cos likelihood of getting into office in Lux is getting worse.

Tmrw will whip battery off, charge it to fuckery, clean terms, maybe even grease them, not done that for years, it is still needed?

Maybe invest in a decent ratchet set, my one I have in car is suffering, clicking over the ratchet....
 

montravia

Member
Messages
1,618
Just the negative terminal. Unclips. Use a very mild abrasive, if you haven't any fine wet and dry, an abrasive (dry) washing sponge. A squirt of switch cleaner, a smear of Vaseline. Clip terminal back on. Done. 15 minutes
 

Wanderer

Member
Messages
5,791
Just the negative terminal. Unclips. Use a very mild abrasive, if you haven't any fine wet and dry, an abrasive (dry) washing sponge. A squirt of switch cleaner, a smear of Vaseline. Clip terminal back on. Done. 15 minutes
KY jelly do the trick in lieu of vaseline?