Car dead

[longman h]

So went out to the car this morning to drive to work and absolutely nothing happened.
Eventually had to open the car using the key and only a few dashboard lights were on. I think ABS/ESP and a few others. No interior lights.

Now the strange thing is that I went out to the car last night attempting to do the MMI software update through the USB, which isn't possible by the way, shut the car off by pressing the Engine Stop button, locked it and everything was fine.

I tried charging via my trickle charger but even after 30 minutes, not even the interior lights were illuminated.
The alarm did sound when I plugged in the charger which I disabled with the fob.

Is this just a dead battery?

H

[longman h]

Decided to just order a new Varta battery which should be delivered tomorrow.

[Trups]

These cars go dead very quick, short runs don't help either, I have had a few customers/members cars go dead while installing my Interior led so that's how much they drain out.

Trups

[longman h]

These cars go dead very quick, short runs don't help either, I have had a few customers/members cars go dead while installing my Interior led so that's how much they drain out.

Trups

Blimey, that is quick.

Hopefully the new battery will bring it back to life.

[Ungjaevel]

These cars go dead very quick, short runs don't help either, I have had a few customers/members cars go dead while installing my Interior led so that's how much they drain out.

Trups

I'm having this issue as well. I work offshore so away a couple of weeks at a time. It's embarassing how much they drain. I always thought it was the dashcam I installed, but perhaps not then? (I always disconnect the battery in the back when doing offshore tour now so don't think about it anymore.

Any ideas what drains?

[longman h]

These cars go dead very quick, short runs don't help either, I have had a few customers/members cars go dead while installing my Interior led so that's how much they drain out.

Trups

I'm having this issue as well. I work offshore so away a couple of weeks at a time. It's embarassing how much they drain. I always thought it was the dashcam I installed, but perhaps not then? (I always disconnect the battery in the back when doing offshore tour now so don't think about it anymore.

Any ideas what drains?

How old do you think your battery is?

[Nobby]

Worth getting a battery conditioner - they sometimes bring a battery to life again and obviously trickle charge whilst your not using it.

Chris

[Ungjaevel]

How old do you think your battery is?

New 2015. Still drains. However less when dashcam removed.

[discostu49]

Yes if the battery was dead you would not be able to unlock the car via the fob? I also read that a car battery should be changed every 5 years but my last car was 9 years old and the battery was fine. Your Car will be due a new battery so good getting a new one but while the cars not going anywhere you could take the old battery to a garage for a volt test?? Or just see how you get on with the new one.

[longman h]

Ok so after leaving the car with the trickle charger attached for a couple of hours, there was still no sign of life and the battery terminals under the bonnet were giving a reading of 3.74V.

So I climbed through to the boot which isn't easy for someone who's 6'5". Anyway, managed to unplug the negative terminal and start charging the battery in the boot and it's now actually charging.

Anyone got any thoughts please??

[Jim Haseltine]

I'd think the battery has a dead cell. Bet it'll hold charge for a while and then die really quickly.

[longman h]

I'd think the battery has a dead cell. Bet it'll hold charge for a while and then die really quickly.

Cheers Jim.
I think the battery is properly up the spout.

Hopefully the new battery will cure things.

[longman h]

Oh and the key is now stuck in the ignition which isn't ideal.

Does anyone know how to release it?

[IanH755]

Push forward on the gearstick and it should release the key.

[rtd]

My car has been stood for exactly one week and doors opened and started first time. It had a new battery in Nov last year.

Although I have had an issue with the battery draining - there is always something which results in that happening. Because when all is well then it appears to behave as it should.