V8 Vantage Battery dead

[Murph7355]

Can you drop the parcel shelf and use the interior handle that's people you kidnap use to try to escape?

[Murph7355]

coyft said:

Good thinking, I'll try it in the morning. I took the parcel shelf out some time ago, makes the exhaust sound even better in the cabin :

And you don't have to look at the carpet on the parcel shelf

What you really need is a Tubi

[jus]

Glad to see others are catching on to the removal of the parcel shelf trick!

[providence1]

Took mine out for a track day at Goodwood and have never put it back. Good little trick

[*CQ*]

coyft said:

The battery is totally flat and I can't open the boot to put the trickle charge on. Is there a way of opening the boot manually?

Are you using the battery conditioner supplied by AM? If so, I was interested to know if the battery is actually recharged by this device or whether it simply assists in retaining the charge, i.e. prevents the charge from dropping beyond it's current level regardless of whether that level is high or low?

[Murph7355]

*CQ* said:

Are you using the battery conditioner supplied by AM? If so, I was interested to know if the battery is actually recharged by this device or whether it simply assists in retaining the charge, i.e. prevents the charge from dropping beyond it's current level regardless of whether that level is high or low?

Was only supplied in exchange for 95 quid.

A 30 quid Optimate will get a battery up to charge (unless its truly buggered) and keep it there. A 50 quid Ctek will do the same and have the advantage of looking just like the AM one (sans badge)

[*CQ*]

I already have one Murph, supplied by AM, but whilst cleaning the car the other week, listening to a cd, I heard a long 'beep' and the audio sytem shut down. There was something on the display that disappeared before I could read it and attempting to turn the audio back on failed until I started the car. I am assuming that this kicked in to allow enough power to turn the engine.

Anyway, I have the car connected to the battery conditioner but am unsure as to whether this will boost the battery back up to full charge or just prevent it from getting any lower.

[Murph7355]

*CQ* said:

...but am unsure as to whether this will boost the battery back up to full charge or just prevent it from getting any lower.

It should bring it back up to full juice.

These chargers have multiple stages. If they sense it's way down on charge, they get it charged up. They then slow down the rate of charge as it gets close to full, finally turning off the charge once full and then dribbling charge in as it fluctuates around the top. They can also sort out a properly flat battery unless the battery's properly dead (industrial ones can even recover these at times I believe).

[*CQ*]

coyft said:

I've just plugged it in and none of the charger lights come on,

I think that you've just answered the question as to whether the battery conditioner actually charges or just conditions the the battery as outlined above.

Just out of interest, how long had the car been standing?

Steve

[*CQ*]

coyft said:

I would have thought one of lights on the charger would have come on when it was plugged into the mains?

Might be worth checking that the plug is pushed firmly into the power outlet in the boot. I plugged mine in a week or so ago and the amber light did come on indicating that it was connected. I looked again only 3 days later and no lights were on as you describe. Pushing the plug again seemed to do the trick so it might be worth a try.

Steve

[*CQ*]

coyft said:

The car was only standing about a week. I would have thought one of lights on the charger would have come on when it was plugged into the mains?

Forgot to ask what year your car was? As I recall, the earlier ones did indeed have a power drain so flat batteries were common.

Steve

[andy355]

does your car have a tracker? ive read on here about the power drain issues on AMV8's, but ive also had same problem with my sl55 merc and maserati. Left for over a week and they go flat. Bought a ctek(?) so far so good but im just waiting for the day when i drive off with my car still plugged into the mains

[*CQ*]

andy355 said:

im just waiting for the day when i drive off with my car still plugged into the mains

Exactly what I was worried about!

[GR1FF1F]

Terrific. Yesterday had a filthy Vantage on my drive. Had it cleaned, ooks great, but it seems the guy forgot to lock it. Sure enough today all I get is click, click click. Does leaving it unlocked really flatten the battery in less than 24 hours !? AM Assist on their way, he said, drumming fingers on table. ;(

[Murph7355]

coyft said:

It's a real pain. Can't believe for 90k they can't make one where the battery stays charged.

Mine seems to...and I left the boot open for a while recently.

I'd get the service place to check it out. As part of the 10k mile service they check the state of the battery and how much current draw is on it when off (pretty sure that's what they did). Would have thought it'd give some clues as to whether anything was amiss.

[GR1FF1F]

Exactly what I said, but at least for 90k they are coming out within an hour to fix it

And thanks Murph, will do that as it's booked to go in for service in a couple of weeks. Cheers

Edited by GR1FF1F on Tuesday 12th February 18:16