Keeping up battery charge

[John Knibb]

Hi all. Greetings. I am a new Z3 owner (1.9 roadster) As usual with a 15 year old vehicle I am finding some interesting problems.
1. Doors that won`t open; they unlock so its a mechanical problem with the handle mechanism. (WD40 seems to help).
2. Battery that went flat overnight. Seller tells me it`s probably the boot light switch at fault. I reckon that boot light should take many weeks to flatten the battery even though it is only 40ah. Have removed the bulb. Anyone know where to find the boot light switch.
Just read the brilliant Mike Fishwick`s excellent battery maintenance article.He is a bit of a hero in motorcycling circles too! I wondered if one solution to keeping up battery strength particularly when car parked outside could be a solar charger. I use one when parking at airports for example.
Best to you all John Knibb South Devon

 

[mwpe]

As far as the battery is concerned, it could be getting towards failing. I had that problem a few months ago. It was initially the boot light as I had removed the boot lid to get the back wings off for spraying but forgotten to remove the bulb in the light, however the battery did seem a bit tired and checking it with a heavy tester showed it as marginal so I fitted a new one. Euro Car Parts do a good deal. To test the boot light, Just set your phone to Video, put it in the boot and shut it. That will show if it is staying on.

 

[GazHyde]

Welcome John

 

[John Knibb]

As far as the battery is concerned, it could be getting towards failing. I had that problem a few months ago. It was initially the boot light as I had removed the boot lid to get the back wings off for spraying but forgotten to remove the bulb in the light, however the battery did seem a bit tired and checking it with a heavy tester showed it as marginal so I fitted a new one. Euro Car Parts do a good deal. To test the boot light, Just set your phone to Video, put it in the boot and shut it. That will show if it is staying on.

Thanks for prompt reply amazing. The battery is new (marked mid-Jan) but only 40ah!
Mobile phone tip genius better than my idea of licking small child in there! I will need a small child to show me how to set my phone to video!!!
Best to you. JohnK

 

[John Knibb]

Thanks for prompt reply amazing. The battery is new (marked mid-Jan) but only 40ah!
Mobile phone tip genius better than my idea of licking small child in there! I will need a small child to show me how to set my phone to video!!!
Best to you. JohnK

NB that should say locking small child in the boot not licking. ( I only lick consulting adult femails and the very occasional ice cream!)

 

[John Knibb]

Welcome John

Hugh thanks for welcome Gaz best to you.

 

[Nodzed]

Hi John & welcome from Gloucestershire.

 

[Low Rider]

Hello and welcome to Zroadster.org John

 

[Low Rider]

It might be a be a new battery but at only 40ah that nothing clearly the seller has purchased the smallest battery to keep the cost down as he was selling it.
After sorting out why the battery keeps draining down

 

[John Knibb]

Hi Niall and Low Rider thanks for welcome. Guarantee the Mercedes driver wasn`t a taxi driver!

 

[bertiejaffa]

Boot light for sure - failing that listen for any buzzing noises from the fuse box in the bonnet when the ignition is off - also feel the main relay when ignition has been off for a while to ensure it is cold. Finally remove any phone chargers while stationary - they can draw small amps which as you have a weak battery could be an issue.

 

[t-tony]

Hi John, welcome from near Lincoln. That's the joy of these older cars plenty to keep you on your toes, but, at least now you're a member you will be able to do most of it yourself with a few well placed questions. Everyone willing to help on here.

Tony.

 

[Wookee]

I had/have battery problems which are currently ok, but I have found that you need to have the big battery and not the slightly smaller one that is 'recommended'. I tried one of these to replace my old big one and found that it didn't have enough in it to crank the engine on a cold morning even fully charged. I charged up my old one and it started to work again.

I also have one of those small booster packs, and mine is a pretty good one that will start my Corsa about ten times before it starts to flag. It will only start the Z3 if it is fully charged and then only once....and that's only a 4 cylinder engine.

 

[Bazza]

John from me tooooooooooo just down the road in Dorset
oh I keep a trickle charger on mine just to keep it topped up

 

[Eddie Zedder]

Hello and

 

[l3ggy]

hello and welcome.

I also had a battery discharge issue which turned out to be the interior light coming on randomly. Haven't had a chance to sort it so just removed bulb. Car now sits for 4/5 days, probably longer without discharge.