Flipfinger Posted December 14, 2001 Share Posted December 14, 2001 Went shopping, came back 10 minutes later, put the ignition on stage 1 (lights, air-con etc going) and spent about 5 minutes (stupid I know) talking to friends on my phone before trying to turn the engine over. CLICKACLICKACLICKACLICKA That's all the noise I get from the engine now - like it's trying to start the engine but not enough juice. Is this a nearly-flat battery or what? As it is, I'm going to have to leave it in the carpark overnight and pray that nobody does anything to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Syed Shah Posted December 14, 2001 Share Posted December 14, 2001 Sounds more likely to be a totally dead battery from the sound of it. Get someone who lives near you to come with some leads and help jump-start it. Otherwise it is probably going to be smashed in and keyed, if not stolen as if your battery is dead, your alarm/immobiliser may not work. Good luck!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Cargill Posted December 14, 2001 Share Posted December 14, 2001 Certanly sounds like a dead battery. I'd have expected it to last longer than that though, could well have been on it's way out anyway. My last battery was OK when I drove the car every day, but now I only do occasional short journies it laboured more and more. Checking the battery it wouldn't go about 8.5V. Got a new battery and it starts much quicker now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flipfinger Posted December 14, 2001 Author Share Posted December 14, 2001 Battery still has enough life to engage / disengage alarm, so I guess the immobiliser and alarm is okay (it has its own battery back-up anyway). As for bump starts and jump starts, the people that sold me the alarm said that it would do something nasty to the battery. Thought that was what it is, I guess I've done a lot of small drives (not allowing the alternator to charge the battery etc). I've got a multimeter at home - doh - could just go and check it now! Going to get ratted tonight, make the night go quicker so I don't stay at home wondering if it's alright or not! Thanks for your speedy responses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Syed Shah Posted December 14, 2001 Share Posted December 14, 2001 I have jump-started a load off cars in my life, and it never does them a bit of harm. Whoever said that was talking bo***cks. Go jump-start it now and take a load off your mind! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Cargill Posted December 14, 2001 Share Posted December 14, 2001 Quote: from Flipfinger on 6:24 pm on Dec. 14, 2001[br]Battery still has enough life to engage / disengage alarm, so I guess the immobiliser and alarm is okay (it has its own battery back-up anyway). As for bump starts and jump starts, the people that sold me the alarm said that it would do something nasty to the battery. The alarm will take a hell of a lot less power than the starter. What happens if you put the lights on, do they dim very quickly? If it's an auto you can't bump start it, and you shouldn't do that with cats either - unburnt fuel, but you may well be decatted and manual! Never heard about problems jump starting knackering a battery, that's what the nice man from the AA would do for you!! Just make sure you get the leads the correct way round:shocked:. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flipfinger Posted December 14, 2001 Author Share Posted December 14, 2001 I'm not really all that bothered, to be honest.......insurance will pay up and I'm leaving it over here for months at a time soon anyway. If anyone wants a free Supra, go to the following car park: Retail Park Ransome's Europark Ipswich Suffolk Couldn't give a stuff about cars now. Load of old arse, aren't they. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gareth Davies Posted December 14, 2001 Share Posted December 14, 2001 Yeah JIC let my NA battery die horribly so needed to replace the battery and that's exactly what it did. If you're going to jump start it make sure the jump leads are rated properly, I have no idea if it actually makes a difference but i'll bet "up to 1,000cc" leads don't last long on a 3,000cc engine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Syed Shah Posted December 14, 2001 Share Posted December 14, 2001 Yep.. they are designed to cope with far less amps. In other words, they will melt! Go on... jump-start it and get it back to safety Flip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Martin F Posted December 14, 2001 Share Posted December 14, 2001 SOS..............Save Our Supra's Or in Flips case his Supe!!!!!!!!!!!!! Flip i really think you should get that car back to safety. I am a little way from Ipswich but if you want somebody to give you a hand let us know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flipfinger Posted December 14, 2001 Author Share Posted December 14, 2001 Cheers for the support guys - in particular Martin. But I'm off out in a bit - can't be bothered to go get it. If it gets pinched, bugger, but I'm not going to spoil me night out! How much was the battery, Gareth? I noticed they are really tiny on Supras. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Martin F Posted December 14, 2001 Share Posted December 14, 2001 Now taking orders for MKIV spares........................:o All items available in single quantities for one night only. :biggrin: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flipfinger Posted December 14, 2001 Author Share Posted December 14, 2001 While we're at it, order Martin some spare kneecaps LOL Any other night, I'd probably sleep next to the car and protect it. But tonight is the first night my girlfriend is home for a few months, and I'm going to do something particularly stupid and romantic tonight.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Harwood Posted December 14, 2001 Share Posted December 14, 2001 I'm buggered if I'd leave my car in a car park overnight! Just to let you know, as I work with cars/electrics/alarms etc. Jump starting a car is not the thing to do by far because it will give a massive power surge through your electrical system. But sometimes it is necessary. To be as safe as possible, do as many of the following as you can. 1 get good thick jump leads with strong croc clips preferably with surge protectors built in. 2 make sure your ignition is off, your doors are shut and you have your keys OUT of the car. 3 attatch both leads to your battery, (MAKE SURE THEY DO NOT TOUCH!), then connect both leads to the car with the good battery with the engine OFF. 4 start the other car, and hold the revs at about 1500-2000 revs. 5 if your battery is really flat, wait for about 5 minutes before trying to start your car. 6 start car then disconnect leads asap. (Being careful not to short out the leads on anything.) Jumpstarting is unhealthy to any processors you have in the car. Nearly all alarms have processors built in now, and the mkiv Supra has loads that control..... Everything! If you are unlucky enough to have locked up a processor after this, (something not working correctly), try disconnecting one of the battery terminals for a couple of minutes. Most processors will reset and be ok. Good Luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Martin F Posted December 14, 2001 Share Posted December 14, 2001 I can supply a piston RING for a very reasonable fee. LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flipfinger Posted December 14, 2001 Author Share Posted December 14, 2001 Thanks Matt. I'll take the risk of someone hurting the car in the car park over frying the electrics, especially as I don't know anyone with jump leads. I thought they did say it for a reason. Do you know why a bump start isn't advised by Clifford either? They just said you shouldn't, didn't explain why. I'm pretty nervous thinking about something else anyway right now. Thanks for everyones help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam W Posted December 14, 2001 Share Posted December 14, 2001 Good luck . . . with everything! Let us know how you get on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Harwood Posted December 14, 2001 Share Posted December 14, 2001 It's all to do with processors again. With either bumping or Jumpstarting, you can dramaticly change the the processors operating voltage/speed. When you have a flat battery, generally, your battery will be sitting at around 10~11 volts or less. When you bump or jump the car, as soon as the car starts or has those leads connected the voltage does a massive surge upwards to around 14.4 in a fraction of a second. The processors can see this as an "error" and shut down. Worse still, but rare, fry. The same cure still applies. Disconnect one battery terminal for a couple of minutes, waiting for the processors to reset/stabilise then reconnect as "cleanly" as possible - You don't want too many sparks when the terminals are reconnected. Keep doors shut, ignition off and keys out of the car. (Some alarms will go straight into armed mode and lock the doors on reset!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Harwood Posted December 14, 2001 Share Posted December 14, 2001 PS. Good luck with your romantic thing tonight and I hope your car stays intact.... She must be special. I'd go and get my car!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bradb Posted December 14, 2001 Share Posted December 14, 2001 RAC/AA? Longshot I know F. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Wall Posted December 14, 2001 Share Posted December 14, 2001 So by now you are out with your lady and the Supra is the last thing on your mind. If the car is still there when you read this it may help. A battery that is low will not really show up in summer unless it is completely fcuked. In winter it does not take much to push it over the edge. Your battery may be OK, you have just flattened it. At this time of year it is a very good idea to leave the engine running for at least 30 seconds with every thing electrical turned off. This will give the battery a boost that may provided you with just enough to get you started. Those little batteries seem way to small for a car like the Supra, it is the same size as the one in my little Micra. If you have to replace it I would go for a bigger HD battery. You may need a new battery bracket though. My HD battery is guaranteed as long as I own the car, worth every penny. I hope you had a good night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Syed Shah Posted December 14, 2001 Share Posted December 14, 2001 Phil... out of interest, how many amps is your battery, and how many is the stock one? And where did you get yours from? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Cargill Posted December 14, 2001 Share Posted December 14, 2001 Matt, have you actually seen any damage caused by a jump start or from starting a car with just a low battery? What is the difference to a cars circuits if they are being powered by a directly connected battery (normal situation), or a directly connected battery with in another battery/generator in parallel (being jump-started). Wouldn't the batteries act to supress any surges? Equally most electronics are, I understand, 5v. This 5v being provided by regulators etc to deliver a smooth supply, so they shouldn't see any difference there providing the source V is within tolerences. Why don't the electronics all blow when you turn on the ignition or attach a battery? That is a surge from 0v to 12-14v? Just trying to get my head around the problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Wall Posted December 14, 2001 Share Posted December 14, 2001 My battery is a 500 amp, not the biggest by any means, my friend who enters sound off competitions has 1000 amp in his Cosworth. My Cossie has 590 amp unit. The small Supra battery may be as low as 270 amp but I am not 100% certain. In the winter with a combination of short low rev runs , heater, lights screen heater and wipers the little one is not going to last too long with out additional charging. I remember a guy who got eleven years out of one battery. He checked the level once a week and gave it a charge from a charger once a month in summer and once a fortnight in winter. He probably washed his oil filters out and reused those as well. My father did some research about 20 years ago and designed a 25 year plus car battery, but it did not make economic sense at the time. The project was bought out by one of the major battery manufactures and killed off. He also design and ever lasting light bulb, but the same thing happened to that, bought out by a manufacturer who stood to loose millions. I cant remember where my battery it came from, but it is a widely available SAMSON, guaranteed for as long as you own the car, which is great for me as I tend to run my cars into the ground and that takes more than the usual two or three years given on most guarantees. I guess that’s it how they do it because most people don’t keep cars for very long, so they won’t have to pay up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flipfinger Posted December 15, 2001 Author Share Posted December 15, 2001 Sorted it out, got a new battery, the old one wasn't the right sort, it was a total botch job by the people i bought the car from. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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