Omega Owners Forum
Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: rds on 06 January 2016, 13:01:09
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Hello all
just about to change the standard 063 battery on the 2.2 auto to a higher capacity Bosch S5 096 (dimensions seem to fit).
However, i can't find my radio code to put it into "sleep" or "suspend" whilst changing over.
I assume that if I attach a charged emergency battery (ie the ones that have a cigarette lighter outlet) into the rear console lighter socket before i disconnect the main battery, this will remove the need for the radio code?
The lighter socket i mention seems to be live even with the ignition off, unlike the one in the front, vertical console, behind the push panel, which is only live with ignition key turned.
Thanks again
RDS
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rear socket is only "live" for about 5-10 minutes mind .. than it shuts off .. leastways mine does .....
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I assume that if I attach a charged emergency battery (ie the ones that have a cigarette lighter outlet) into the rear console lighter socket before i disconnect the main battery, this will remove the need for the radio code?
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As Entwood says, your rear ciggy socket will only remain live for a short time. It's not something I ever needed to do, but I'd suggest that you connect your AN Other battery to the main battery leads to keep power on the car so it doesn't need a code.
I'd seriously suggest getting a Car Pass ... shop around re prices
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Easy way is to connect jump leads to another battery as already said but you can do it with your new battery if you are careful, it just makes fitting slightly more awkward as the leads get in the way.
If you can park another car next to yours (or borrow another battery) connect jump leads from your car to the other car. Make sure you connect at a place which doesn't get in the way of the clamp bolts. Grab a couple of lengths of string and a couple of bits of rag (not essential but make life easier), undo the negative terminal, lift clear of the battery, wrap a piece of rag around the terminal and tie the covered connection out of the way. Repeat with the positive lead but tie it rearwards to keep the battery tray clear (bonnet strut is handy for this). Remove the battery, put in new battery and connect the terminals back on to the new battery. Tighten the clamps and remove the jump leads. Fit battery clamp back in place and job done. :y
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Do the Battery charger thing or use another battery with leads as said.
As an added precaution make sure the HU is switched off both in Ing. On and Off mode.
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Why not buy a memory saver gismo, such as the Draper EOBD 22231, that simply plugs into the OBD port, and to a separate 12v power source, so everything is out of the way of the leads on the car battery. If you accidentally knock one of the leads off using jump leads when doing the swap (which is easily done), you will have lost the code and that will cost a few quid to retrieve. I use an old 12v household alarm battery which is small and lightweight to handle with the memory saver. It doesn't need to have much charge to do the job. Works every time. Not so much a problem with Elites with the NCDC 2013/5 as they retain the code when the battery is disconnected, but the others need it. Less than £20 incl postage on EBay. There are other cheaper versions that probably work as effectively. Incidentally, some people say you can leave the engine running whilst you quickly swap batteries over, but I personally wouldn't recommend it.
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Well thank you thank you all for your replies! Great ideas there.
I didn't realise the cig port was a 5 min-before-off affair! I was not aware of the OBD power option either - and i've just bought a dongle for that to do "live" engine function reports.
I'll have to make sure i am quick then, but cleaning up the terminals is likely to take more than that.
Re the Car Pass, is this the credit card type record that comes with the car as new and has the codes on it? If so, I should have received this when the original radio was changed under warranty but was not given it.
cheers again.
RDS
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I'm not saying this will work for you, but I've swapped a battery over on my Omega, doing nothing special and the radio still retained it's code.
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thanks Deviator
what model radio is it please?
RDS
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RDS i went to a local independant car audio technician and he only charged £20 for code, worth it for any future problems :y
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RDS i went to a local independant car audio technician and he only charged £20 for code, worth it for any future problems :y
A proper car pass won't cost much more :y
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cheers both - so, as i have had the car from new, i should have the Car Pass, although the warranty radio exchange will have superseded the old radio serial and therefore i need to go to a main dealer or hire an independent technician?
the standard ODB reader won't be able to interrogate it i suppose?
RDS
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CDR2005
Personally I would go back to VX and state 'You replaced this and didn't give me a code. This is your problem, not mine. I'm not paying'.
EDIT
There is no point getting a security pass, as it'll probably have the code for the old radio on it.
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oh gawd, another row!!
i'll give it a try, but it was a while ago now....!!
Cheers
RDS
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UPDATE
the radio work around with the emergency/saver battery in the passenger cigarette socket worked well.
It is limited to 6 mins (timed it) BUT interestingly, the socket becomes live after the six minutes if a door is opened.
If you get the batteries all lines up and loosened off before, switch ignition key on and off (not as far as start though) and remove negative battery lead within 10 seconds the alarm does not sound and the job goes well.
The 096 battery fits in nice if you get one with an integral handle - I bought a Varta E44. Its a lot heavier than the previous Vauxhall Branded battery and has greater capacity.
cheers
RDS