Typical - flat battery

Bebs

Member
Messages
3,266
Been in France for the past two weeks, done a fair bit of driving around. The GT sits on a trickle charger permanently at home and although I did bring the charger with me, I haven’t been using it down here since we’re driving pretty much every day, if not every other day.
Car sat for 36 hours the other day and when I went to press the fob... nothing... after several attempts the alarm started going off and I couldn’t turn it off. Eventually it died. Opened the door mannually, pulled the boot opener under the rear seat. Stuck the key in the ignition.. no lights... just completely dead.
I then plugged in the trickle charger.. after a few minutes, the alarm started going nuts again so disconnected the charger.
It looks like it’s still on the original factory Maserati battery so I suppose it’s done quite well for a 2010 car.
I ordered an Exide EA1000, 100Ah, as favoured by Matt on here, for delivery today or tomorrow.
Is there a new battery ‘start up procedure’ other than Lock-Unlock, windows down and up, turn on ignition and leave for 10 seconds before start up?
I’m guessing the battery has just come to the end of its life and because it always sits on a charger at home, I‘ve not had any warnings.
 

Zep

Moderator
Messages
9,110
What a pain. There isn’t anything else to do other than what you have said. The handbrake might have a complaint but a couple of ignition cycles will sort it.
 

woody1144

Member
Messages
108
Sorry to hear. Wonder if you have a deactivated tracker knocking around somewhere as well? Looking at your signature I see it's a MC shift so just make sure no the first cycle you leave it in the ignition until the bleep until you start it up as think that indicated the gearbox has gone through its prime and check cycle.
 

Bebs

Member
Messages
3,266
Thank Zep & Woody, I always wait for the lights to stop flashing anyway when I start the car but I’ll be sure to give it extra time to cycle through things after I connect the new battery.
When I first got the car two years ago I had it sitting on my drive for a week at a time without any trickle charger.. never had any battery problem. The fact that it’s just completely died on me in the space of 36 hours leads me to believe that the bat has just lost it’s ability to hold a charge. That coupled with the fact that we’ve had extreme heatwave recently which I understand is even worse for a car battery than cold weather.
Will update after I get it running again.
 

Devonboy

Member
Messages
1,289
Thank Zep & Woody, I always wait for the lights to stop flashing anyway when I start the car but I’ll be sure to give it extra time to cycle through things after I connect the new battery.
When I first got the car two years ago I had it sitting on my drive for a week at a time without any trickle charger.. never had any battery problem. The fact that it’s just completely died on me in the space of 36 hours leads me to believe that the bat has just lost it’s ability to hold a charge. That coupled with the fact that we’ve had extreme heatwave recently which I understand is even worse for a car battery than cold weather.
Will update after I get it running again.
To be fair - you may have also set a new longevity world record for a Maserati battery if you are right and it’s the original!
 

Scaf

Member
Messages
6,512
Sorry to hear of your troubles but I am sure the new battery will sort things.
2010 was perhaps a good year for Maserati batteries, I only swapped the original from my old 2010 car in 2020, many on here seem to have swap them every coupe of years!
 

makeshiftUK

Member
Messages
1,089
Is there a new battery ‘start up procedure’ other than Lock-Unlock, windows down and up, turn on ignition and leave for 10 seconds before start up?
I used these Voicey approved steps when installing my new battery (also an Exide EA1000) recently:
  1. Connect the battery and then go and do something else for 20 mins. This allows the heater mix valve to calibrate.
  2. Switch the ignition on (engine off) and wait for the throttle body to calibrate (you can hear it clicking) and for the heater flaps to stop moving (depends on the model). 1-2 mins is enough for this step.
  3. Start the engine and let it idle for a while - this starts the fuel trim adaption and variator learning.
  4. Whilst the engine is running the bits like windows, radio code, clock, seats, etc can be sorted. I would also check the EPB if fitted.
  5. Switch engine off and lock/unlock to make sure all is working well and that the door handles are working (later cars).
 

Bebs

Member
Messages
3,266
Many thanks for that makeshift - I will follow your procedure to the letter and report back. The new battery should arrive tomorrow. Not sure I have a code for the radio though.. oops.
 

Scaf

Member
Messages
6,512
Many thanks for that makeshift - I will follow your procedure to the letter and report back. The new battery should arrive tomorrow. Not sure I have a code for the radio though.. oops.
Mine have never requested a code so you should be fine
 

Sam McGoo

Member
Messages
1,745
Many thanks for that makeshift - I will follow your procedure to the letter and report back. The new battery should arrive tomorrow. Not sure I have a code for the radio though.. oops.

Don't think it needs a code, as the NIT is coded to the car anyway I think.
 

Sam McGoo

Member
Messages
1,745
I used these Voicey approved steps when installing my new battery (also an Exide EA1000) recently:
  1. Connect the battery and then go and do something else for 20 mins. This allows the heater mix valve to calibrate.
  2. Switch the ignition on (engine off) and wait for the throttle body to calibrate (you can hear it clicking) and for the heater flaps to stop moving (depends on the model). 1-2 mins is enough for this step.
  3. Start the engine and let it idle for a while - this starts the fuel trim adaption and variator learning.
  4. Whilst the engine is running the bits like windows, radio code, clock, seats, etc can be sorted. I would also check the EPB if fitted.
  5. Switch engine off and lock/unlock to make sure all is working well and that the door handles are working (later cars).

Also, lock- unlock, open - shut, doors and boot, then lock and unlock again.
 

Bebs

Member
Messages
3,266
Got the battery out, waiting for the new one to be delivered today.
Looks like the month and year are not ticked on the OEM battery...

894068940789408
 

RoaryRati

Member
Messages
1,582
Same happened to our S2000 yesterday - it had given no signs of its sudden death and could not be resuscitate. No complaints tho' it was over 10 years old and never been charged and fortunately, unlike next week, we didn't need the car urgently so had time to sort it without too much of a panic. Indeed we were chatting with someone who said he had had a car that started perfectly in the morning. Came to go home and it was as dead as a dodo - the way modern batteries/cars are, apparently.
 

zagatoes30

Member
Messages
20,759
Modern batteries do seem to suddenly drop off a cliff but neither of you can argue with 10 year lifespan
 

mjheathcote

Centenary Club
Messages
9,033
They do suddenly die.
The Bosch S5 on my Stag suddenly died after a 60 mile drive in the morning to the classic car / Maserati drive it day a few years ago. Lithium ion jump pack saved the day.
They seem to last for me just over 5 years, after the warranty expires.
Just checking the Maserati battery, it's currently six and a half years old... better be on standby!
 

Bebs

Member
Messages
3,266
I’m just assuming it’s the original 2010 battery.. since there is seemingly no way of telling.
Unfortunately as it sits on a trickle charger in my garage (and mostly has been throughout lockdown) I suspect that has masked a failing battery. It did sit outside for a week about 6 months ago, without the charger, and promptly refused to engage reverse when started.. I guess I should have known this was a battery warning! New battery was due to be delivered yesterday, but this is France, so they just dropped it off at a local post office 6 miles away and didn’t bother to tell me.
Have roped in the neighbour for a lift this morning to collect, fingers crossed. It’s never straight forward with these things! .... and relax :confused:
 

Bebs

Member
Messages
3,266
Got the Exide 1000 and fitted it. Went through the procedures and all working perfectly again. Just back from a quick one hour blast.
My only observation with the Exide battery is that the vent plug is situated further back and so the original rubber hose is just a little too short. Made a workaround solution with a bit of hose from a Holts Tyreweld can I had in the boot. Thank you gents for all your input - I’m back on the road :dance:

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