Flat battery MX5 2008

[takkky]

Hi

I'm pretty clueless about cars but it seems some kids have been in my MX5 and left the door open which has drained the battery. It won't turn on and even the interior light is very dim. So I was just going to try jump starting it but I'm reading all sorts of things about it needing to be trickle charged and not to jump start it as I might damage something and I'm feeling a bit lost now. I've just joined this forum and was hoping someone would just say "Yes its fine to jump start it and then give it a good run and everything will be fine". I hope that's the truth!

Any advice welcome.

[MX-5 Lazza]

Jump starting is absolutely fine. If its a gel battery it'll take a long drive to charge it up but I think Mk3 have a normal lead acid battery.

[mybrainhurts]

If you can find the culprit kids, you need to give them a quick lesson about electricity...

Stand them in water buckets and plug them into the mains

[takkky]

MX-5 Lazza said:

Jump starting is absolutely fine. If its a gel battery it'll take a long drive to charge it up but I think Mk3 have a normal lead acid battery.

Thanks! How do you know its a Mk3? It's a 2008 model with a 2.0L engine I have the manual but until now I couldn't be bothered finding it or reading, but I just have done and it says it's fine to jump start it as long as the other car is using a 12V battery. So I feel less lost and much happier about jump starting it. The specification says its a 12V-36AH/5HR Battery... which doesn't seem to tell me if it's gel or acid but as long as it starts tomorrow I not particularly interested which it might be

Again my thanks.

[mybrainhurts]

Don't connect the negative lead directly to your battery.

[takkky]

mybrainhurts said:

If you can find the culprit kids, you need to give them a quick lesson about electricity...

Stand them in water buckets and plug them into the mains

I know... last time they were in my car they insulted me by leaving all my CD's! Cheeky little bleeders. Anyway the worst part was when I called the police to report the event and they lectured me on not leaving my car unlocked... just what I needed. I told the police not to be so patronising and hung up on them. Seems I should have listened more carefully as I left the car unlocked again and bingo here I am asking silly questions. We live and learn.

Edited by takkky on Thursday 19th February 17:17

[takkky]

mybrainhurts said:

Don't connect the negative lead directly to your battery.

Yep that's a new one on me, but the manual shows where to connect it instead... thanks for the heads up though

[mybrainhurts]

[takkky]

Just to let you know that the jump start went perfectly fine and apart from a few odd lights being lit which shouldn't be the car started without a problem. Went for a little drive and now it starts all on its own

The odds lights were the DSC OFF light flashing, which you have to turn your steering wheel all the way left and then all the way right and then that goes off (as it says in the manual). The other light was the anti wheel spin icon, and after a restart of the car that went away too. Now I just have to check what a flashing alarm light when engine is off and the ignition key is out and yet the alarm isn't yet set... but the locking / alarm comes on when set, as expected.

Thanks for the confidence boost guys and tips / moral support.

Edited by takkky on Thursday 19th February 17:17

Edited by takkky on Thursday 19th February 17:19

[WolvesWill]

If you need a new battery (if the one you have won't hold charge properly once its been run flat, as can often be the case) then its an 053 type battery that you need, a Yuasa silver one is about the best you will buy for it. Many online shops or parts sellers recommend an 063 but that is totally wrong. I know this after wasted trips to Halfords and Eurocarparts, before resorting to taking the battery off the car and picking one 'like for like'...