Topic: HELP!! FLAT BATTERY!! (Read 4195 times)

laughjimbo · « **on:** 07 December 2007, 20:37:36 »

and now cannot get into my omega even with keys. Can only get access to the boot on my saloon but deadlocking is preventing me from opening the doors i think!!
Can yanyone help me with some advice on this.

Marks DTM Calib · « **Reply #1 on:** 07 December 2007, 20:39:30 »

Key in the drivers door lock and turn clockwise.....it will be very still but will turn.

ffcgary1 · « **Reply #2 on:** 07 December 2007, 20:40:28 »

push the centre panal in the rear seats from the boot and then get someone small to climb into the cabin and unlock the doors.

Jimbob · « **Reply #3 on:** 07 December 2007, 20:41:14 »

Its the season for battery's!

I had one last week,
Mrs jimbob this week, but when I rang to check if they had one in stock for her....No we've had a run on them, 8 on backorder!

Got one the next day though.

Markjay · « **Reply #4 on:** 07 December 2007, 21:06:41 »

My car is Y-Reg 2001, still has the original Vx battery and going strong

In the olden days batteries were good for 3 years or so, with luck you might get 5... but they seem to last much longer these days.

Kevin Wood · « **Reply #5 on:** 07 December 2007, 21:38:54 »

Quote

My car is Y-Reg 2001, still has the original Vx battery and going strong

In the olden days batteries were good for 3 years or so, with luck you might get 5... but they seem to last much longer these days.

They seem to fail suddenly without warning though, I find, whereas old batteries used to be a bit sluggish starting for a month or two before they got beyond a joke.

Kevin

Marks DTM Calib · « **Reply #6 on:** 07 December 2007, 21:40:09 »

Quote

Quote
My car is Y-Reg 2001, still has the original Vx battery and going strong

In the olden days batteries were good for 3 years or so, with luck you might get 5... but they seem to last much longer these days.

They seem to fail suddenly without warning though, I find, whereas old batteries used to be a bit sluggish starting for a month or two before they got beyond a joke.

Kevin

Realy, I find they still get a bit slower.....I suspect its slightly harder to spot due to the reduction drive starter setup.

laughjimbo · « **Reply #7 on:** 07 December 2007, 21:45:36 »

Tried the key in the drivers door, will turn anti-clockwise but not clockwise, don't want to force it and break a key.
I don't use the omega very much as we have a zafira for the kids to ruin, battery was fine last week!!
Tried getting in through the boot but will i have to really force the armrest down and damage it or would damage be minimal? Anyone know through trying it??
Thanks for the response too everyone!!

Marks DTM Calib · « **Reply #8 on:** 07 December 2007, 22:04:35 »

Quote

Tried the key in the drivers door, will turn anti-clockwise but not clockwise, don't want to force it and break a key.
I don't use the omega very much as we have a zafira for the kids to ruin, battery was fine last week!!
Tried getting in through the boot but will i have to really force the armrest down and damage it or would damage be minimal? Anyone know through trying it??
Thanks for the response too everyone!!

Turn it harder.....it will go and the key wont break.

bruce · « **Reply #9 on:** 07 December 2007, 22:16:43 »

I went in through the boot gave the ski panel one hard kick..and the catch that the ski panel lock locks into came out of the body work with the ski panel...I just unlocked it and tapped the catch part with the splines on back in.

laughjimbo · « **Reply #10 on:** 07 December 2007, 23:41:20 »

I have got the car open, i did it with the key and it did open, do have to do it quite hard though. Thanks for the advice, can get a new battery now, strange thing is a few days ag when i used it all was fine and now completely dead, no interior lights at all!!
Anyway thanks again!!!

Kevin Wood · « **Reply #11 on:** 08 December 2007, 00:48:34 »

Quote

Realy, I find they still get a bit slower.....I suspect its slightly harder to spot due to the reduction drive starter setup.

Well, the last couple I've had fail have been fine one minute and dead the next. Last time, I pulled into a motorway services for a coffee, so stopped for about 5 minutes following an hour of motorway cruising and on my return it reluctantly operated the central locking and as soon as I turned the key it went totally dead. The one before was like that too. I suspect internal connections failing rather than the battery itself perhaps?

My cousin had one explode! Made a right mess.

Mustn't grumble, I suppose. I generally get 6 or 7 years from one, although the first one in the Westfield only lasted 3. I now make sure I look after that one if I'm not driving it regularly.

Kevin

laughjimbo · « **Reply #12 on:** 08 December 2007, 02:00:12 »

Yeah really strange that is was so dead after using it the other day and it being fine. Never had it on any other car like this.
Mine is an MV6 3.0 manual, which would be the best battery to fit to this, make and number? Are the Vaux original the best to fit to these??

Dave-C · « **Reply #13 on:** 08 December 2007, 08:23:53 »

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Yeah really strange that is was so dead after using it the other day and it being fine. Never had it on any other car like this.
Mine is an MV6 3.0 manual, which would be the best battery to fit to this, make and number? Are the Vaux original the best to fit to these??

I think so, retain the receipt, if problems occur within 3 year guarantee period, you'll get a new one from any VX dealers (WITH THE RECEIPT)....

Had a Motaquip battery on a Granada once, 6 years and was still great when I got rid...

DC

Olympia5776 · « **Reply #14 on:** 08 December 2007, 09:57:15 »

Quote

Tried the key in the drivers door, will turn anti-clockwise but not clockwise, don't want to force it and break a key.
I don't use the omega very much as we have a zafira for the kids to ruin, battery was fine last week!!
Tried getting in through the boot but will i have to really force the armrest down and damage it or would damage be minimal? Anyone know through trying it??
Thanks for the response too everyone!!

Like you I don't seem to use my Omega much either.I fitted a new 78ah battery in July and find that if the car sits for any more than 10 days the starter is slower although it still fires first turn. The cars are designed to be driven and parked up they are still trickle discharging the battery. I too run miine last weekend but when I went out to it on Thursday it was DEAD :-/ even the fuel pump was clicking . Just got to use it more .......
As for the key , spray 3 in 1 oil into it over a couple of days and that'll free it up and then do the same each month to keep them free. (boot / tailgate too )

Kevin Wood · « **Reply #15 on:** 08 December 2007, 11:50:11 »

If you aren't using a car for a while, it's a good idea to trickle charge the battery to stop it going flat.

Halfrauds do trickle chargers that are like a little mains adaptor and pretty cheap.

Kevin

MickAP · « **Reply #16 on:** 08 December 2007, 12:50:01 »

My battery seems to be an original, sealed type no topping up. Been on the car since new I think now over 7 years old.
The battery on the last car I owned (Nissan) was original and 7 years old before it gave up. That just went all of a sudden, one very cold winters day.

Mick

Dave-C · « **Reply #17 on:** 08 December 2007, 12:55:51 »

Solar panels are good too, plug into the lighter and go.... Only thing is, my Omega Elite's lighter sockets go to 0v when ignition key removed.... so, no constant supply for ancillaries etc, I've put a spare lighter socket in the boot with a constant 12v, ideal for charging camera batteries out of sight...

DC

Markjay · « **Reply #18 on:** 08 December 2007, 13:39:35 »

Quote

...My cousin had one explode! Made a right mess...

Yep, happened to me as well,back in 1982... a 3-years old battery exploded when I started the car (it was an Alfasud with the original battery). The base of the battery was intact as was the first inch of the sidewalls, but everything else has disintegrated... problem was that even after cleaning the mess and hosing it down, there was permanent acid damage to the paintwork in the engine bay and inside bonnet.

Kevin Wood · « **Reply #19 on:** 08 December 2007, 14:13:30 »

.. and a dousing in acid's probably the last thing an Alfasud needed!

Kevin

Markjay · « **Reply #20 on:** 08 December 2007, 15:38:16 »

Quote

.. and a dousing in acid's probably the last thing an Alfasud needed!

Kevin

I wrote it off a couple of months later...

But interestingly, when the panels fell off in the crash, there was already rust evident in the joints... and the car was actually less than 3 years old at the time.

laughjimbo · « **Reply #21 on:** 08 December 2007, 16:04:21 »

well guys, i got the car running with a power pack so there must have been more than 10 volts at the battery otherwise my pack doesn't work. Run the car for 15 mins. Just tried it which is 4 hours later and fired straight up so now going to trickle charge it over night to see if it is ok. Need the car for Monday cause i have got to go to funeral in Salisbury, so 200 mile round trip. What battery type does this car have because i have spoken to several motor factors today that state different types. From an 065, 067, to an 075 which seems to be the most popular right up to a 017 or 019!! Which is the standard size for the 3.0 l MV6??

Markjay · « **Reply #22 on:** 08 December 2007, 17:06:29 »

Vx 'Go' branded after-market battery from Vx dealers is best for quality and price... and 3y warranty

Markjay · « **Reply #23 on:** 08 December 2007, 17:14:16 »

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Vx 'Go' branded after-market battery from Vx dealers is best for quality and price... and 3y warranty

and they cost around £30-£40

kbou55 · « **Reply #24 on:** 12 December 2007, 03:21:44 »

Quote

well guys, i got the car running with a power pack so there must have been more than 10 volts at the battery otherwise my pack doesn't work. Run the car for 15 mins. Just tried it which is 4 hours later and fired straight up so now going to trickle charge it over night to see if it is ok. Need the car for Monday cause i have got to go to funeral in Salisbury, so 200 mile round trip. What battery type does this car have because i have spoken to several motor factors today that state different types. From an 065, 067, to an 075 which seems to be the most popular right up to a 017 or 019!! Which is the standard size for the 3.0 l MV6??

i always go for a Varta battery, ive had one in the vectra for 5 years and not so much as a groan out of it, i got one with a higher amper hour than the standard rating for a bit more crank in the cold. i know they're dear but i think its worth it.

LFF64 · « **Reply #25 on:** 16 December 2007, 10:51:45 »

I knew I should not have read this thread

Went to pop out last night and guess what battery absolutley flat , called AA oh someone will be with you in about 2 hours

Then I had a cunning plan use the battery from the caravan to jump start the car, this worked ok probably wont do the lesuire battery much good but at least got the car going. So phoned AA back and cancelled the call .
Question is does any one know if you can use trade cards on batteries at vx or halfords :question

Auto Addict · « **Reply #26 on:** 16 December 2007, 12:48:27 »

Quote

I knew I should not have read this thread Went to pop out last night and guess what battery absolutley flat , called AA oh someone will be with you in about 2 hours
Then I had a cunning plan use the battery from the caravan to jump start the car, this worked ok probably wont do the lesuire battery much good but at least got the car going. So phoned AA back and cancelled the call .
Question is does any one know if you can use trade cards on batteries at vx or halfords :question

Yes.

TheBoy · « **Reply #27 on:** 16 December 2007, 14:40:44 »

Quote

I knew I should not have read this thread Went to pop out last night and guess what battery absolutley flat , called AA oh someone will be with you in about 2 hours
Then I had a cunning plan use the battery from the caravan to jump start the car, this worked ok probably wont do the lesuire battery much good but at least got the car going. So phoned AA back and cancelled the call .
Question is does any one know if you can use trade cards on batteries at vx or halfords :question

Vx trade card at Vx, and Halfords trade card at Halfords. I have both if you need.

TheBoy · « **Reply #28 on:** 16 December 2007, 14:42:15 »

First bout of sustained freezing weather, so many old batteries failing.

My MV6 has been giving me warnings about its poor battery for months, so defo not sudden IME

LFF64 · « **Reply #29 on:** 17 December 2007, 14:02:16 »

The battery in mine looks fairly recent but there is no reciept amongst the paperwork so not much I can do there

I did check the battery a while back and found a couple of cells very low on water, the battery was not causing any problems but my journey to work is very short about a mile.
But with everything on in this cold weather it is just asking for trouble . I was told that every time a car starts it takes about seven miles to put that charge back in to the battery , not sure how true this is but it does not seem unreasonable.
Checked battery price at halfords yesterday a HB010 MAINT FREE with three year warranty is
£94.99

with the trade card it comes down to £56

so thats a fair old saving The HB010
is the battery for a car with aircon by the way,I have not tried vx yet for a price
I gave the car a good run yesterday down to Essex to swmbo and it appears to be ok for now.
The alternator was given output of 14Von load so that appears to be ok

May be a good idea to run the car for a short detour to work just to keep the battery happy

LFF64 · « **Reply #30 on:** 17 December 2007, 14:04:19 »

Forgot to say Jamie I have both cards , thanks for offer though

Kevin Wood · « **Reply #31 on:** 17 December 2007, 14:10:18 »

Note to anyone who has electrical issues with the cold weather:

Check to see if your positive battery terminal is getting hot. If it is, you will probably find the cable from the starter / alternator is loose where it is crimped into the battery terminal. This won't do you any favours in this weather. A little resistance between the alternator and battery will reduce the battery's ability to suck up charge an awful lot when it's also powering heated seats, rear window, lights, blower, etc.

Kevin

stuvaux · « **Reply #32 on:** 17 December 2007, 14:21:23 »

Quote

Checked battery price at halfords yesterday a HB010 MAINT FREE with three year warranty is
£94.99 with the trade card it comes down to £56 so thats a fair old saving The HB010
is the battery for a car with aircon by the way,I have not tried vx yet for a price

I recently got a Vx `Go` battery for my 2.5V6 - it cost £40.17 on trade club.

Stu

Marks DTM Calib · « **Reply #33 on:** 17 December 2007, 14:21:35 »

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I was told that every time a car starts it takes about seven miles to put that charge back in to the battery , not sure how true this is but it does not seem unreasonable.

Given the high efficiency of modern starters and the massive output of modern alternators (i.e. upto 120amp on an Omega)......I would say that this is no longer true. A few minutes of norma driving shoudl be about enough....this does of course increase as you turn things like heated rear windows and seat heaters on.

Dave-C · « **Reply #34 on:** 17 December 2007, 17:08:14 »

Mines packed in too! I'll join the club shall I.......... Got one reserved at VX for the morrow.. Borrowed a big battery from a Land Rover at work to get it going in the morning then will change the battery on VX car park...

DC

TheBoy · « **Reply #35 on:** 17 December 2007, 20:10:58 »

I think the old saying of 20mins driving for a 5s start is possibly still valid, but most cars start immediately, so a 10min run should put back in your 1s start...

Kevin Wood · « **Reply #36 on:** 17 December 2007, 20:42:15 »

If we assume the starter takes 300 amps for 5 seconds (probably the worst case scenario) it only takes 1 minute at 25 amps to put the charge back. That ignores the inefficiencies of the battery and the fact that, if parked up in the cold for a few days, it will lose more charge standing than it will starting a car but the fact is a modern alternator will be more than capable of charging at 25 amps even with a lot of running loads.

The battery will also take up charge more slowly as it reaches a fully charged state but, if a modern car is struggling in cold weather, it's an indication that the battery, alternator or wiring are not up to scratch.

Kevin

LFF64 · « **Reply #37 on:** 17 December 2007, 21:43:14 »

Ah yes assuming you are not using rear screen ,aircon (climate) lights etc and as my trip is 1.6 miles both in darkness it soon knocks the battery down especially if it is weak in the first place . I will give it a couple of days and see how it holds up. I think if it dies again I will change it anyway what with it haveing lost water from the two cells something not right there any way

Kevin Wood · « **Reply #38 on:** 17 December 2007, 21:48:46 »

The other thing to do is leave the battery on a trickle charge overnight, so it is known to be fully charged, and see if it is better over the next couple of days. If it's losing water it's probably not in great health, as you point out.

Kevin

Dave-C · « **Reply #39 on:** 18 December 2007, 18:10:54 »

Got a 66amp GM GO> battery today for my Meega, starting beautifully now, lights seem brighter too! At VX thay retail at £50 + vat, I got my trade price of course.... Got a battery lagging blanket from a scrapper a few weeks ago, fitted that to keep it insulated...Job's a gud un..... Does anyone know if there is a lagging sheet for the battery tray to go under the battery?

They do a 71amp battery with the same physical dimensions which will fit in the Meega battery tray, they didn't have any in stock or I'd have had one... not sure if an extra 6amps would make a fat lot of difference anyway..

DC [smiley=happy.gif]

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Author Topic: HELP!! FLAT BATTERY!! (Read 4195 times)