Battery issue

[Kinger]

The joys of owning a 17 year old Elise continue, now having battery problems. Suddenly finding a flat battery each morning, so before I just go and buy a new one I thought I’d check with the collective in case I should be looking elsewhere for the source of the problem.

First problem is I’m electrically ignorant, don’t even have a test meter and wouldn’t know how to use one.

After jump starting the car all seems fine, went for a long drive ( 1 hour) and all was well. Stop and started the car a few times, again checked the car a few hours later and OK. Tried to start in the morning and battery completely flat !! Checked for me leaving anything on lights etc, did the same jump start a ran it again for about an hour and all OK before bed and flat again in the morning.

Can anyone tell me (PM) if its possible to disconnect the alarm and leave the immobiliser in place, or does this just sound like a plain battery issue.

Any advice welcome

[Shug]

Sounds like a simple dead battery mate. Pop a new one in.

If you have issues with a new battery, dig deeper, but they all fail at some stage.

[Kinger]

Sounds like a simple dead battery mate. Pop a new one in.

If you have issues with a new battery, dig deeper, but they all fail at some stage.

Thanks Shug.

I'm picking one up at lunchtime, hopefully sorted tonight ?

[campbell]

Fit with care. Remarkably easy to short to the chassis in the front compartment. Will arc weld the spanner to the chassis if not careful...

[tut]

Worth looking at the new wi-fi connected batteries Graham, more expensive but you do not actually need a physical connection so no chance of a short.

tut

[kerryxeg]

Agreed, sounds like the battery has had it, you could try fully recharging it and leaving it on a conditioner. But if you don't know the age or history of the battery I'd be tempted to change it and start with a known quantity. I've found the S1 batteries can run down if the car is not used, it's a pretty small battery.

You can stick a couple of plastic bottle caps on the terminals if worried about shorting, but personnally I've never had an issue with contacting the terminals against the chassis. Take your time doing the change it's a tight fit, good for the stomach muscles though.

Costco do a good deal on Bosch batteries, it's been a while since I bought one, but they used to stock the right size.

[woody]

I had an alternator that kept killing mine over night.

[Kinger]

Take your time doing the change it's a tight fit, good for the stomach muscles though.

Well, stomach muscles got a good work out last night as you said. New battery fitted although getting it back in was a bit of a bitch, and it started this morning so that a step in the right direction. I'll check again on Saturday to make sure its not getting drained.

Thanks again guys for the help.

[mwmackenzie]

Check brake light switch... Brake lights will be on permanently and drain your battery, happened to my old S1, cheap and easy to fix

[Stephen]

Also check the engine earth. Mine was poor so the starter wouldn't work giving the appearance of a flat battery.

[Dominic]

Fit with care. Remarkably easy to short to the chassis in the front compartment. Will arc weld the spanner to the chassis if not careful...

wrap the unused end of spanner with a healthy dose of electrical tape

[campbell]

Too clever!

[Dominic]

Too clever!

I fank U