Battery Dead, Dashboard like Xmas tree, Help!

ajfarrell · Mar 5, 2013

Hi folks,

Left my freelander TD4 2004 laid up for few weeks, went to start it yesterday, a very cold morning, engine turned over then battery died.

Hooked up another car to jump start but that caused dash to light up, all warning lights flash now when I turn ignition but engine doesn't turn over, just makes a rapid ticking noise.

Manual says only dealer will change battery otherwise alarm will go off.

So, I presume I need a new battery, any recommendations on best/economical type?

Can I override the alarm by connecting the new battery to the cables on old battery, piggy backing them so to speak, to replace without setting off alarm? If alarm does sound is there a sequence of key fob actions that will disable?

Finally, must I reset ecu first to stop the warning lights flashing?

Cheers,

Anthony

The Mad Hat Man · Mar 5, 2013

Is it a freebie 1?

In which case it sounds like yu might have fried your ECU.
Use a jumper pack to keep electronics alive whilst changing battery. Common practice. Get someone to help.

teddywood1 · Mar 5, 2013

did you conect the jump leads the right way round, you could piggy back with the jump leads, but the only thing i could think of when changing the battery is the radio loosing its code,like the mhm said you could have fried your ecu but only time will tell.

dave21478 · Mar 5, 2013

Start with the simple things first and dont go buying parts until you are certain they are needed.

If the dash lights up but you just get a ticking noise, its not getting enough juice to turn over. If you try another jump start make sure the cables are heavy duty - not the ****e sold in petrol stations for £15 in a wee pouch...they are ok for jump starting a lawn mower and not much else - and make sure that each clamp is making good contact....give them a squeeze and wiggle as you clamp them on so the teeth of the clamp bite through the layer of oxidisation and crud on the surface of the terminals.

Alternatively, if you have a battery charger, try that. No need to remove or disconnect the battery from the car. Leave it charging overnight and see if it starts in the morning.

Once running and the battery is fully charged, see if it holds its charge. If it wont start again the next day, its may need to be replaced.

digby · Mar 5, 2013

I agree - i had my battery out for a few days whilst i did my clutch

no need for dealer intervention (FL1 anyway) even the radio kept its code .....

Your problem is getting a good contact with the jump leads

Optimus Prime · Mar 5, 2013

could also be down to the car you are using to jump start from, is it up to the job ?

A 998cc corsa is going to struggle to turn over and fire a td4.

whereabouts are you, maybe someone can come and give you a jump start with a hefty set of leads. If it's North Kent, I'll come.

ajfarrell · Mar 6, 2013

Thanks for the advice guys, I since tried a cigar recharger kits and that began to give it some juice, enough to stop dash from flashing erratically; but no where near enough to start, lights won't even stay on. I have a battery charger so will plug it into that for the night, fingers crossed!

Otherwise Ill get my insurance to start it and have a new battery ready for them to fit on call out...any advice on replacement? Haynes cites a 'Delco' type which has an indicator on top to display charge level, are they worth the extra cost? Most dealers are offering me a calcium type rated at 70AH 600CCA ...will that cut the mustard?

Cheers

Anthony

dave21478 said:
Start with the simple things first and dont go buying parts until you are certain they are needed.

If the dash lights up but you just get a ticking noise, its not getting enough juice to turn over. If you try another jump start make sure the cables are heavy duty - not the ****e sold in petrol stations for £15 in a wee pouch...they are ok for jump starting a lawn mower and not much else - and make sure that each clamp is making good contact....give them a squeeze and wiggle as you clamp them on so the teeth of the clamp bite through the layer of oxidisation and crud on the surface of the terminals.

Alternatively, if you have a battery charger, try that. No need to remove or disconnect the battery from the car. Leave it charging overnight and see if it starts in the morning.

Once running and the battery is fully charged, see if it holds its charge. If it wont start again the next day, its may need to be replaced.

ajfarrell · Mar 7, 2013

Insurance coy called out today, attached booster unit, started up after a little encouragement; prob was I was only going on short trips, plys the cold weather plus my already faulty cam sensor all colluded to drain battery; ill start it for few mins every day I have it parked up now to keep battery topped up, then when cam shaft sensor arrives bring her for a long spin, maybe even Wales!

Cheers folks.

Anthony

Optimus Prime · Mar 7, 2013

ajfarrell said:
Insurance coy called out today, attached booster unit, started up after a little encouragement; prob was I was only going on short trips, plys the cold weather plus my already faulty cam sensor all colluded to drain battery; ill start it for few mins every day I have it parked up now to keep battery topped up, then when cam shaft sensor arrives bring her for a long spin, maybe even Wales!

Cheers folks.

Anthony

that will kill the battery again. you need to leave the engine running for at least 20 mins to put back what a single start cycle takes out of the battery, and thats before you use lights, fans, radio, heated rear windscreen etc.

otherwise it'll just be the same as doing short trips.

Battery Dead, Dashboard like Xmas tree, Help!

ajfarrell

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The Mad Hat Man

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teddywood1

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dave21478

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digby

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Optimus Prime

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ajfarrell

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ajfarrell

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Optimus Prime

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