Help!! She's dead :-(

Snowflakes

Snowflakes

New Member
Messages
176
Guys - I need some help & advice!

At the weekend my 2004 4200 didn't start & electrics died, I turned off the battery isolator & reset everything (after a couple of tries) there was a reassuring beep & all was fine, great!

Went to use it for the first time since today & had a similar problem but now it won't reset post switching off the battery. After multiple attempts of switching off the battery & waiting approx 15mins, I hear the beep; I out the key in the ignition, lights come on & go off but when I try & turn her over it dies a death & I start all over again.

Initial thoughts were a relay or something but really am no electrics expert. Please help! Need to sort before llandow!

Thanks

SF
 
Emtee

Emtee

New Member
Messages
8,446
Simple place to start, but it sounds like a dead battery to me Snowflakes. Have you been using it much? Short runs only? The battery takes a h£ll of a hit on start-up and short journey's won't necessarily fully replenish it.
 
Maser Sod

Maser Sod

Member
Messages
1,965
Probably worth getting a voltmeter across it to see where it's at?

I used to have a lot of battery problems - pretty sure it was being drained by a Tracker or similar. I used to regularly have to yank it out and recharge it with (usually in the kitchen with one of those handy Halfords chargers).

Just had the Tracker in my current GS ripped out. Battery now holds up for weeks.
 
Snowflakes

Snowflakes

New Member
Messages
176
My first thought too, when it is running dash reading is normal & when it's off multimeter reading is ok altho actually seems high.

Out of curiosity, just tried to start it again (post multimeter reading) & starts first time so intermittent .... My favourite type of fault!!

Last run in the car was a 400mile round trip to goodwood revival & back so best opportunity to charge?!

SF
 
Emtee

Emtee

New Member
Messages
8,446
Hmm, none of that sounds like a drained battery, though it could be a dead battery that's lost it's consistent charge. When was the Goodwood run? I take it the leads are secure? Maser Sod has a good point regarding the tracker battery. Plenty of instances in the past where it's turned out to be draining the main battery once it's own on-board battery has exhausted.
 
Parisien

Parisien

Moderator
Messages
34,927
...as ever in any diagnosis....go for simple, obvious stuff first.....hope its one of those!


P
 
Snowflakes

Snowflakes

New Member
Messages
176
Goodwood was 10 days ago now. Will definitely look at the torque of the terminals, good call! Bought an Alfa GT V6 a few years ago with an intermittent immobiliser issue & it was battery terminal! Why didn't I think of it?! (other than the 10months I've had it & 3500 glorious miles!)

Anything else to add to weekend checks?

SF
 
L

Ludwig

New Member
Messages
13
hello Snowflakes,

as a newbie with my 4200 Coupé I had the same problem after programming the info center
for about 20 minutes. when trying to restart the engine the battery was dead after several attempts.

I proceeded according to the manuals advice by taking the little CTEK charger.
You must leave it for 24 hours and then everything will be perfect.

It seems that the battery is one of the weak spots of this otherwise marvellous car

Ludwig

4200 CC Coupé
 
conaero

conaero

Forum Owner
Messages
34,631
Yep another vote here for loose battery terminal, seen it happen a few times to these cars. Also check the earth to body connection.
 
Snowflakes

Snowflakes

New Member
Messages
176
Ludwig said:
hello Snowflakes,

as a newbie with my 4200 Coupé I had the same problem after programming the info center
for about 20 minutes. when trying to restart the engine the battery was dead after several attempts.

I proceeded according to the manuals advice by taking the little CTEK charger.
You must leave it for 24 hours and then everything will be perfect.

It seems that the battery is one of the weak spots of this otherwise marvellous car

Ludwig

4200 CC Coupé
Click to expand...

Thanks ludwig - appreciate your comments! What are you referring to with the CTEK charger? Is that what I've been calling the isolator switch next to the battery?

SF
 
bill

bill

Junior Member
Messages
247
Not sure if this is the same on the 4200 but on the 3200 there is a through the bulkhead connection above the fuses and relays in the passenger footwell. These two 13mm nuts are know to get loose. Usually this appears as an intermintent fault on starting and eventually stops altogether. Worth checking... The dash volt meter is just for show realy wouldn't take it seriously!
 
L

Ludwig

New Member
Messages
13
hello snowflakes,
sorry for not having replied earlier, but I didn't see your post until now
If you still are in trouble with your battery I will send you a picture of the charger
and the battery connector.
L.

P.S.
I don't know how to get informed about a new post ???
 
rossyl

rossyl

Member
Messages
3,312
Just wondering where are the earth connections on a 4200?

As for the CTEK - this is a special battery charger/conditioner that can be connected to the battery while the battery remains in and connected to the car, without damage and for as long as you want.
 
CatmanV2

CatmanV2

Member
Messages
48,794
They do, indeed come with quick clips and connectors. Very highly regarded in the biking world for winter maintenance. Just don't forget to disconnect before you drive / ride away :)

C
 
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