Flat Battery

[spanky2k]

I was about to to go and take Guzzle for a spin when I noticed that the remote wouldn't unlock him, I approached him and noticed that the speedo illuminations were on. I got that sinking feeling in my heart, walked round to the drivers door, unlocked it, got in and turned the lights off!
What an idiot!!! Of course the engine wouldn't start so I'm buggered!!! Thing is I'm sure that I turned the lights off! How could I not have noticed them on!!! It was pitch black last night!!!
If only I had a jump lead, there's a discovery parked right next to it to which I have keys!!! Thing is, my mate said that if the battery's completely drained, you can't recharge it by driving, you have to get a new one, is that true? Should I pop to Halfords 2moro afternoon?? If yes, then what kind of battery should I get!!!

I hate my luck!!!

[ant]

Can't comment on the theory about needing a new battery, but if I open my doors with my lights on, an alarm sounds to alert me to the fact...

Don't know if this has anything to do with the "Follow Me Home" light setting being programmed or not - I don't have this as far as I know, but certainly don't use it if I do.

Any help? Doubt it, but I tried

[BruceK]

Quote:

Originally posted by spanky2k
...Thing is, my mate said that if the battery's completely drained, you can't recharge it by driving, you have to get a new one, is that true? Should I pop to Halfords 2moro afternoon?? If yes, then what kind of battery should I get!!!

I hate my luck!!!

Almost without question, your battery should be able to be recharged - you are not the first person in the world to leave your lights on. You can buy (or borrow) a small Halfords-type car battery charger that plugs into the mains supply that will slowly (over hours) get it back to normal. If your battery does not respond to charging it should be replaced, but that it should be covered under the warranty, as discharging once or twice in its lifetime should not cause it any long term problems.

[mr.bill]

A lot of luxury cars will automatically turn off the lights in 15 minutes. All other cars will do that too, but it just takes longer.

If you get out of most newer cars with the lights on and the ignition off, they will sound a buzzer to warn you. Are you sure you left the lights on? There have been reports of parked MINIs turning on the lights and rolling down the windows by themselves. (This is part of the "Christine" syndrome.) The MINI uses a computerized electrical system and there were problems on some early builds with a flat battery when the CD unit malfunctioned and turned everything on. Once you get the battery charged, you might want to take the car in to the dealer to have it checked.

[IndieBlueOne]

Before suggesting that the 'Christine' syndrome may be re-appearing, I think spanky2k said he got into the car and "turned the lights off" - so it sounds like they must have been physically left on. It does seem though that spanky2k may have a lights-on buzzer that isn't working.

And just to keep the record straight, the faulty batch of CD head units didn't 'turn everything on'. So far as I can remember they just drained the battery by themselves.

Anyway, spanky2k - I hope you're sorted out now.

[Martin L]

Quote:

Originally posted by IndieBlueOne
It does seem though that spanky2k may have a lights-on buzzer that isn't working.

Buzzer? Mine's got a lovely bong-bong sound, shame the fuel gauge doesn't bong when it reaches low.
My thought's too, faulty "bonger"

[snoopy]

That lovely bong-bong sound.

Do you know if this function can be turned off as part of the car memory feature? As is the BMW 3 series I believe can be. This could explain why Spanky2k has lost his bong.

[spanky2k]

Nah! I obviously didn't pay attention to the bong bong sound! My guardians have got cars that make noises when you open the door with the ignition on, so I've got used to ignoring those noises when getting out of a car!

I've been in the car with a mate and was getting out when he said, 'what does that sound mean'. Whoops! I'd better start trying to listen for it!!

[AidenL]

Battery should be rechargable, does it have a Magic Eye like the BMW batteries have, green for OK, red for danger, black for totally banjaxed ??

[Racer]

spanky2k

rarely the plates bend and make the battery dead as a dodo but it really is very rare - Ask anyone with a club sport about recharging a totally flat battery - they have lots of experience! - mines been totally flattened a couple of times and recharges up from driving no prob


As a matter of interest for people the power drained from a battery during a normal start can take upto 20 minutes of average driving to fully recharge the battery (depends on alternator etc.)

[AndyW]

Quote:

Originally posted by Racer
spanky2k

...Ask anyone with a club sport about recharging a totally flat battery - they have lots of experience!...

Ooh, ooh, ask me, ask me!

I'm with Racer, just jump start it from another car's battery and drive it for a bit, it'll recharge in no time. Good luck!

Andy