Need help. Car won't start - LotusTalk

SoCal Craig · 10-01-2009, 12:21 AM

2005 Elise. Was sitting in my garage for around 5+ weeks without being driven. I plugged in a Battery Tender (BT) to the car's power outlet a few days ago and let it charge. It appeared to be working as the LED on the BT illuminated. Went to start the car this evening, but none of the electrics appear to work. The immobilizer light on the tach no longer flashes either. I checked some of the fuses and they appear okay.

Is there some sort of reset procedure or switch I need to activate? Could the battery be completely dead? The interior cabin light does not illuminate either.

Also, when I re-plugged the BT into the car's power outlet the LED on the BT did not illuminate. It appears it is no longer charging the car.

SoCal Craig · 10-01-2009, 12:25 AM

Frogot to mention, car still has OEM battery.

ZJChaser · 10-01-2009, 12:59 AM

tender wouldn't likely be enough to recharge it....but it might be smoked.

TheViper · 10-01-2009, 04:29 AM

The Battery Tender is a very low amperage trickle charger that does not have sufficient output to charge a depleted battery. Either jump start it and run it for an hour or so (preferred), or buy a true battery charger. Even "smart" chargers will not charge a very low battery, as they interpret the low voltage as a defective cell, therefore an old fashion "dumb" charger may be needed. As it is the original battery, it might be a great opportunity to replace it with an AGM which can't leak or give off flammable gas. Battery Choices & Information
Michael

tesprit · 10-01-2009, 01:43 PM

+1 for everything TheViper said, but seeing as this is the original batter from '05, I think it would be better to just buy a new battery instead of playing around trying to charge that old one. That old battery appears to be completely depleted and the chances of it coming back to life are probably poor at best. There is no use trying to jump a battery that will not accept a charge. If you manage get the car started with a jump, it will just put a heavy load on the alternator and who needs to replace an alternator because it was trying to charge a bad battery and that battery ends up damaging the alternator in the end? Batteries are cheap and easy to replace, just go buy a new one.

SoCal Craig · 10-01-2009, 05:37 PM

Thanks everyone! I ordered the Braille battery and Xtender from S111

The OEM unit was probably bad as I had let it discharge a couple of times prior during it's life.

TheViper · 10-01-2009, 05:45 PM

Just be aware that disconnecting the battery will mean you can't use the alarm, the radio presets loose memory.
Michael

SoCal Craig · 10-01-2009, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheViper

Just be aware that disconnecting the battery will mean you can't use the alarm, the radio presets loose memory.
Michael

Thanks. Car sits im my warehouse unlocked most of the time, so the alarm is probably not an issue.

10-01-2009, 12:21 AM	#1 (permalink)
SoCal Craig Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 60	Need help. Car won't start 2005 Elise. Was sitting in my garage for around 5+ weeks without being driven. I plugged in a Battery Tender (BT) to the car's power outlet a few days ago and let it charge. It appeared to be working as the LED on the BT illuminated. Went to start the car this evening, but none of the electrics appear to work. The immobilizer light on the tach no longer flashes either. I checked some of the fuses and they appear okay. Is there some sort of reset procedure or switch I need to activate? Could the battery be completely dead? The interior cabin light does not illuminate either. Also, when I re-plugged the BT into the car's power outlet the LED on the BT did not illuminate. It appears it is no longer charging the car. __________________ Craig

10-01-2009, 12:25 AM	#2 (permalink)
SoCal Craig Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 60	Frogot to mention, car still has OEM battery. __________________ Craig

10-01-2009, 12:59 AM	#3 (permalink)
ZJChaser Blue Wheel Pimp Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Laguna Hills, CA Posts: 2,851	tender wouldn't likely be enough to recharge it....but it might be smoked. __________________ AJ - Akua Solutions - #128 Lotus Exige - JRZ Suspension - Innovative Mounts - Toyo Tires - TW Research Development

10-01-2009, 04:29 AM	#4 (permalink)
TheViper Alarmed & Dangerous Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Boca Raton FL Posts: 3,205	The Battery Tender is a very low amperage trickle charger that does not have sufficient output to charge a depleted battery. Either jump start it and run it for an hour or so (preferred), or buy a true battery charger. Even "smart" chargers will not charge a very low battery, as they interpret the low voltage as a defective cell, therefore an old fashion "dumb" charger may be needed. As it is the original battery, it might be a great opportunity to replace it with an AGM which can't leak or give off flammable gas. Battery Choices & Information Michael __________________ Cobra OEM - Alarm, Immobilizer, CDL Emergency Override with warranty Additional Emergency Touch Keys - see link above Brand New Cobra Alarm Remote with warranty Cobra Remote Key Fob Strap Cobra Window Closing Module - Add to your existing Cobra alarm 3 Piece Front Clam Protection Kit with Center Bumper Undertray Removal Tool INFORMATION Improved AC & Heating System Battery Choices & Information Remote Key Fob, Alarm & Immobilizer Programming Light Bulb Conversions 2005

10-01-2009, 05:37 PM	#6 (permalink)
SoCal Craig Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 60	Thanks everyone! I ordered the Braille battery and Xtender from S111 The OEM unit was probably bad as I had let it discharge a couple of times prior during it's life. __________________ Craig

10-01-2009, 01:43 PM	#5 (permalink)
tesprit Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Racine, WI Posts: 1,925	+1 for everything TheViper said, but seeing as this is the original batter from '05, I think it would be better to just buy a new battery instead of playing around trying to charge that old one. That old battery appears to be completely depleted and the chances of it coming back to life are probably poor at best. There is no use trying to jump a battery that will not accept a charge. If you manage get the car started with a jump, it will just put a heavy load on the alternator and who needs to replace an alternator because it was trying to charge a bad battery and that battery ends up damaging the alternator in the end? Batteries are cheap and easy to replace, just go buy a new one.

10-01-2009, 05:45 PM	#7 (permalink)
TheViper Alarmed & Dangerous Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Boca Raton FL Posts: 3,205	Just be aware that disconnecting the battery will mean you can't use the alarm, the radio presets loose memory. Michael __________________ Cobra OEM - Alarm, Immobilizer, CDL Emergency Override with warranty Additional Emergency Touch Keys - see link above Brand New Cobra Alarm Remote with warranty Cobra Remote Key Fob Strap Cobra Window Closing Module - Add to your existing Cobra alarm 3 Piece Front Clam Protection Kit with Center Bumper Undertray Removal Tool INFORMATION Improved AC & Heating System Battery Choices & Information Remote Key Fob, Alarm & Immobilizer Programming Light Bulb Conversions 2005 Last edited by TheViper : 10-01-2009 at 05:54 PM.

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