Rover 800

HOWSVIT · Newbie Joined: 23 Nov 2009 Posts: 24 Location: South Wales

Following the weeks of non use after all the snow falls , I turned the key and there was nothing. No dashboard lights either . I called my insurance breakdown and it started by just attaching his 'boaster'. He said he checked the battery ( which looks new) and the alternator and he said they were ok.
Anyway, I took it for a drive and then put it back to bed with its cover on until I returned to it a couple of days later.
This time there was a funny noise at door level when I clicked the key fob and when I turned the key in the ignition the dashboard light came on but instead of a proper engine turning noise there was this vibrating kind of noise which this time came from the nearside front of the car near the glove box.
The engine did not turn over and I did not associate the noise with a duff starter motor.
Could it be that the battery is again discharged and not enough charge to activate the immobiliser and other key players?

Howard
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I am the new owner of a 1999 Red Rover 820 Vitesse which I know hardly anything about and that is why I have joined this forum.

Richard C · Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 2:46 pm Post subject:

Hi Howard,

Stick the battery on charge overnight (not on the car) oh and don't leave the keys in the ignition whilst doing so as you will have other issues.

If you don't use the car much in winter it might be worth investing in a trickle charger to keep the battery topped up.
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Richard

Long Live www.rover800.info

1989 827 Si Fastback, Manual, Pulsar Silver Metalic
2010 VW Golf 1.6 Tdi SE Bluemotion (company car)

CHR15E · Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 3:25 pm Post subject:

Sound advice. A good charge or a good run is what's needed if the car is not used a lot.

It could be something more but as often seems to be the case it's the basics that can cause the most grief.
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Chris

91 827 Si Manual + matching trailer
90 827 Sterling Project
94 Espace 2.1 DT
94 Espace 2.1 DT Spares car

HOWSVIT · Newbie Joined: 23 Nov 2009 Posts: 24 Location: South Wales

Thanks for the advice . I was going to attach 'jump leads' between the Vitesse and my Yaris but thought that I may'Bugger' both cars??
_________________
I am the new owner of a 1999 Red Rover 820 Vitesse which I know hardly anything about and that is why I have joined this forum.

NONOTE · Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 7:21 pm Post subject:

Hi Howard,
you'll find that the battery, at best, will last about 2 or 3 weeks of standing before going flat. The cars have a lot of stuff that's live all the time and you'll get used to it! I used to think it was an issue but after talking with owners of cars with a similar spec and age (Scorpio and others) it's fairly common. Modern designs use different technology which uses far less current.

Steve
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Some big lads did it.

HOWSVIT · Newbie Joined: 23 Nov 2009 Posts: 24 Location: South Wales

Yes, I think your right. I returned to the airport car park after a fortnight away and my Yaris started first time and I wouldn't expect anything else.

Howard
_________________
I am the new owner of a 1999 Red Rover 820 Vitesse which I know hardly anything about and that is why I have joined this forum.

HOWSVIT · Newbie Joined: 23 Nov 2009 Posts: 24 Location: South Wales

Yes, the battery does seem to lose its charge over a few days in this weather.
Richard when you said ' trickle charger' is that the thing that the breakdown chap used to start it which was portable and was either independent or he plugged it into his vehicle?
That would be easier and quicker to start the car on occasions rather than having to charge the battery.
I may go to Halfords and buy one and at the same time get a second opinion on my battery( breakdown man said it was charging?).
Any ideas how much these 'instant start' things cost?

Howard
_________________
I am the new owner of a 1999 Red Rover 820 Vitesse which I know hardly anything about and that is why I have joined this forum.

CHR15E · Posted: Thu Feb 18, 2010 11:14 am Post subject:

This is what Rich meant. Puts out a low current to keep a battery topped up.

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/atc12v-car-battery-charger

Booster packs vary hugely. You can pay from £20-80.

Depends how capable it is.
_________________
Chris

91 827 Si Manual + matching trailer
90 827 Sterling Project
94 Espace 2.1 DT
94 Espace 2.1 DT Spares car

HOWSVIT · Newbie Joined: 23 Nov 2009 Posts: 24 Location: South Wales

Chris , thanks for your quick reply. Is the trickle charger different from the 'jump start' products . If so, how do they work in relation to the car and how are they different from an ordinary battery charger?

I should make 'tracks' to view these in town but tracks is the operative word because it is snowing heavy here and we have about 4 " down.

Howard
_________________
I am the new owner of a 1999 Red Rover 820 Vitesse which I know hardly anything about and that is why I have joined this forum.

MikeMedford · Posted: Thu Feb 18, 2010 4:47 pm Post subject:

Jump start or booster chargers are designed to help car start while battery is dead.

Trickle charger is used on a battery that has a charge, to help keep it topped up while not in use.

Normal chargers can take 30-60mins to get a decent enough charge into the battery to get it started, booster packs will do it in a minute or two.

Booster/jumpstart packs are basically another battery, which you charge up and then use when needed.
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Med

CHR15E · Posted: Thu Feb 18, 2010 4:52 pm Post subject:

A trickle charger is just that. It only puts out 0.5A which is not very much in the scheme of things but it's enough to keep on top of any small loads on the battery whilst stood.

Basically it's designed to be connected for long periods of time.

I have several spare batteries sat in one of my sheds with trickle chargers on them so they're always ready when I need them.

A booster pack/starter is basically another battery in a fancy box to use to jump start a car. Ideal in an emergency but not really the way forward if it's happening a lot. It won't do your car battery any good for a start.

If you can easily send mains to your car safely I'd use a trickle charger or even spend quite a bit more and go for a fancy battery conditioner.

If not maybe simply disconnecting the battery when you park the car up might be better?
_________________
Chris

91 827 Si Manual + matching trailer
90 827 Sterling Project
94 Espace 2.1 DT
94 Espace 2.1 DT Spares car

HOWSVIT · Newbie Joined: 23 Nov 2009 Posts: 24 Location: South Wales

Thank you all.

I dont really want to keep taking the battery off and putting it back on . I am not very practical.

The trickle charger appeals to me but I note Chris's point about connecting mains if it is safe to do so?

My Vitesse is on the driveway under a car cover . I have mains in my shed and an extension lead . Preumably the lead is placed so that it is not snagged or tripped over, travels under the car cover to the front of car battery side and the trickle charger plug is plugged into the extension lead socket and the red and black grips at the other end go under the car cover onto the battery terminals and the car bonnet has to stay open to accomodate?Will the socket and plug and perhaps the leads of the trickle charger be ok. exposed to the elements or should they be protected/ covered?

I am grateful for your advice but think this will be my last query on this. It will then be up to me to make a decision!

Howard
_________________
I am the new owner of a 1999 Red Rover 820 Vitesse which I know hardly anything about and that is why I have joined this forum.

CHR15E · Posted: Thu Feb 18, 2010 8:49 pm Post subject:

If you have a slim enough mains lead? Maybe swap it to one socket or make a new one up if you need to?

You should get away with hiding it under the bonnet in a safe place. it'll be fine like that.

My dads van is left like that for weeks on end.
_________________
Chris

91 827 Si Manual + matching trailer
90 827 Sterling Project
94 Espace 2.1 DT
94 Espace 2.1 DT Spares car

Richard Moss · Posted: Thu Feb 18, 2010 8:54 pm Post subject: Re: Wont start?