Is my battery goosed?

thecremeegg · Post by **thecremeegg** » Mon Jan 21, 2019 7:33 pm

So as a follow on from my other thread where my rear light cluster failed, today I wired up the new one and jump started the car as it's been sat for 5 weeks and flat as a pancake.

Started with the usually lumpy idle but I took it out and it drove fine.....until I got about 3 miles away and I lost all power steering and got 4 yellow lights on the dash. Limped it home (man it's hard with no PAS!) and turned it off. Turned it back on and the steering is working fine.

I know completely discharging car batteries is bad for them so does this seem like mine might be done for? Never had a PAS issue before so thinking it's a bit too much of a coincidence? Annoying as the battery was new 2 years ago!

Any advice appreciated!

Thanks

Smartbear · Post by **Smartbear** » Mon Jan 21, 2019 7:39 pm

Hi, when a battery is completely discharged it’s never going to be 100% afterwards, can you disconnect it to slow the rate of discharge? Is there a possibility of connecting a smart charger to keep it charged up?
I’d be buying a replacement battery I think

Rob

thecremeegg · Post by **thecremeegg** » Mon Jan 21, 2019 7:43 pm

I could disconnect but it's not worth it, if it's screwed I'll get a new one later this week. I don't have a smart charger no, just the trusty ole jump leads!

road warrior · Post by **road warrior** » Mon Jan 21, 2019 8:33 pm

Your battery will be pooped now., and get yourself a battery conditioner otherwise in 5 weeks time guess what....
Use it or lose it.

MefiEcosse · Post by **MefiEcosse** » Mon Jan 21, 2019 8:47 pm

Might also be worth checking the alternator.

thecremeegg · Post by **thecremeegg** » Mon Jan 21, 2019 10:00 pm

road warrior wrote: ↑Mon Jan 21, 2019 8:33 pm Your battery will be pooped now., and get yourself a battery conditioner otherwise in 5 weeks time guess what....
Use it or lose it.

It'll be getting used daily, it was only off the road as I've been waiting on a part and then been on holiday so won't need a conditioner. As for the alternator, can't see that being a problem as I'd expect the battery light to come on etc?

road warrior · Post by **road warrior** » Mon Jan 21, 2019 10:33 pm

Nah , but putting a meter on won't harm either.. But as you say 5 weeks will kill any battery... I put a small 10 Watt solar panel on my motorhome when stored, saves all the pain.

Mr Tidy · Post by **Mr Tidy** » Mon Jan 21, 2019 10:46 pm

road warrior wrote: ↑Mon Jan 21, 2019 10:33 pm Nah , but putting a meter on won't harm either.. But as you say 5 weeks will kill any battery... I put a small 10 Watt solar panel on my motorhome when stored, saves all the pain.

Apologies to the OP for going slightly off topic, but I had a new battery in my Z4 in December 2017. But when I used it today it only just started, and it had only sat for a week.

So "road warrior" could you tell me what solar charger you use, and how you rate it? I think I need to invest in one! Cheers.

road warrior · Post by **road warrior** » Mon Jan 21, 2019 10:53 pm

plenty to choose from, but 30 seconds on ebay found this
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12V-Portable ... GNahHJ20i3

Mr Tidy · Post by **Mr Tidy** » Mon Jan 21, 2019 10:58 pm

Thanks - I was kind of hoping for a recommendation of one that someone has used, but for £20 it's worth a punt anyway!

road warrior · Post by **road warrior** » Mon Jan 21, 2019 11:00 pm

dont worry, they work, been using various versions for years

i have a 25w on the front van battery and a 50w which i take and use when wild camping off grid.
so a baby battery like the z4 is easy. the small solar panels all include a 12v converter and you can leave it connected 24/7 continually., just make sure you remove it before fire up the engine.

Mr Tidy · Post by **Mr Tidy** » Mon Jan 21, 2019 11:34 pm

OK, thanks.

Time for more internet spending - I think I might get a jump pack too, just in case!

After all you can never have too many gadgets.

thecremeegg · Post by **thecremeegg** » Wed Jan 23, 2019 3:02 pm

New battery fitted today - so far so good! Will see if it starts later

buzyg · Post by **buzyg** » Wed Jan 23, 2019 9:41 pm

thecremeegg wrote: ↑Wed Jan 23, 2019 3:02 pm New battery fitted today - so far so good! Will see if it starts later

Good to here. Keep it busy.

thecremeegg · Post by **thecremeegg** » Wed Jan 23, 2019 10:55 pm

Oh it gets kept busy - do 15k a year just on business miles in it! That said, I'm getting a company car soon so it may sadly be moved on

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