Flat Battery and won't jump?

Ozric · Post by **Ozric** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 2:59 pm

Just rescued my wife and friend from the moors.
She drove up and parked had drinks didn't run any electrics except internal lights.
In the morning the battery was flat, no dash lights at all.
By chance I'd left the Jump Start pack in the back but this didn't work.
She called on a fella to jump from his car and again the Bongo was totally dead.
The pub manager gave me a local garage and the chap there said it could be the battery and would bring one with him to try. We had to leave it so I could get back to work. Not heard from the garage as yet. Anyone have any ideas??

ChrisEm · Post by **ChrisEm** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 3:15 pm

Is the battery new(ish) and have you had previous problems? sounds to me like it could be 1 or more duff cells. Used to get it a lot on plant machinery where the battery would read say 12.8v but when drop tested would go straight to zero or 1-3 volts. Either that or maybe a dead short.

Ozric · Post by **Ozric** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 3:50 pm

The battery is the original Jap one so I don't know how old it is. I know it's not to good. If I watch a DVD in the van for 1:30 or 2:00 hours I'll need to jump it the next day.
Any how the fella at the garage called and said he tried a good battery and it's still dead. He'll be working on it tomorrow.

???????????????????

ChrisEm · Post by **ChrisEm** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 4:00 pm

Hmmm, I wonder if he actually 'fitted' the battery as in removing the old and replacing it. Might be worth checking the earth strap and terminals on the + lead from battery to starter. Bear in mind that terminals can look ok and give you a voltage but wont carry any current due to high resistance from say a corroded or loose terminal. I suppose you can't access the vehicle to check if it's at a garage????

white van man · Post by **white van man** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 10:26 pm

check the main 100amp fuse,if inadvertantly connected jump pack wrong way round will blow this fuse

Ozric · Post by **Ozric** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 3:05 pm

It's fixed. My wife took the call so I'm not sure whats fixed. but...
Recovery from the middle of nowhere, new battery and a fait bit of other work. ?330, which I'm happy with.
I'll give you a full run down when I speak to the mech tomorrow.

ChrisEm · Post by **ChrisEm** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 4:16 pm

Splendid!

I'll be interested to know why tomorrow!

Ozric · Post by **Ozric** » Fri Aug 11, 2006 7:07 pm

The Result

100A fuse Blown / Welded into fuse box.
This is what happens if you put a Jump Start on the wrong way around.
(ahem wife ahem)

New massive battery and fuse now on the outside of the fuse box and a standard fuse not a funny square thing fuse.

Charges:
?75 recovery and his wifes 3L v8 4x4 to get it up a huge hill.
His truck wouldn't have made it lol.
?85 Battery
?135 Labour

At the end of the day a simple fix but a new battery which I meant to get around to anyway.

Notice: Always connect your battery the right way around when jumping it. This appears to be quite important

Off now to beat the wife... again !

ChrisEm · Post by **ChrisEm** » Fri Aug 11, 2006 10:15 pm

Glad you got it sorted, was the battery completely kaput by the way? ie has anyone done a drop test on it?

tanner · Post by **tanner** » Sat Aug 12, 2006 12:30 am

I'd say whitevan man deserves a pat on the back there - nice one !

ScotsNick · Post by **ScotsNick** » Sat Aug 12, 2006 10:18 am

Maybe invest in one of those wee cigar lighter jump starters.

Nick