Warning lights all coming on?

Jonnyboy71

New Member
Messages
11
Hi All, i think its just a battery issue but all the warning lights coming on when starting up, ABS fail, Park on fail, Suspension fail, power steering fail etc etc with go to dealer. Can not been used for quite some time but has been constantly on a Ctec trickle charger. Hopefully just the battery or else have serious issues. Is the car still safe to drive as does start no prob?
thks


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MaserMike

Member
Messages
329
My GranCabrio did exactly the same, the original AGM battery was knackered even after being kept on a CTEK… should be fine to drive but check your battery voltage etc. Most likely you will need a new battery
 

MaserMike

Member
Messages
329
Thks mike

What I think it is also. On my 3rd battery in 6 years


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No problem and hope it gets sorted. Blimey 3x batteries is a lot! That is unusual… what CTEK do you have and battery type/make? Maybe an issue with the charger/setting or even type of battery…

My CTEK is a 5AMP max current, now got a non AGM Bosch battery in her. My other cars apart from the recent MC Stradale I have these 4Amp max MayPole Smart chargers and non AGMs - all been fine for years…
 

Jonnyboy71

New Member
Messages
11
Always had the oem fiamm one. Had car in at hrowens several time with it and they never got the the bottom of it and just keep putting new one on

Ctek is max 5. Car just has a gremlin in think. Mid poor think only done 10k in 6 yrs


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MaserMike

Member
Messages
329
My bet is it’s excessive battery drain or a dodgy alternator/charging module…. Which in turn eventually kills the battery quickly. The excessive battery drain (when car is not turned on) could be a number of sources such as the electric front seats, interior lights, stereo etc.

Maybe get a multi meter rigged up to take measurements of current drain when the car is asleep, also is there any difference or improvement if the car is locked and alarmed. Also car is unlocked and unalarmed? Also taking some fuses out to isolate some of the power drain sources if it is showing excessive or high drain…

Also worth checking the alternator output, you would have hoped HR Owen would have checked this already though.
 

Jonnyboy71

New Member
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11
You would wouldn’t you, all they came up with was the tracker was draining it. Really good tips and will take the poor thing to Joe M for a good going over. But seriously need to drive the car more!


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Sam McGoo

Member
Messages
1,745
Does your battery actually go flat if its not on the charger? If so, how long does it take?

Some people get this if they take it straight off the charger and start the car. Try taking it off the night before you use it.

Also, some people are convinced that keeping the battery on charge constantly, even a smart cgarger, kills it. So you could try on for a week, off for a week etc... But obviously your battery could already be knackered.
If you still using the same charger as you always have, and you've gone through 3 batteries, I think I'd be changing it.
I've have an MXS 10 with a temperature sensor, so it compensates depending on temperature.
I have mine on charge for 3 weeks (when I'm away) and off for 3 when I'm home. If not used the battery starts to slow at about 3 weeks for me. But I normally use it daily when home.

As Mike says, you could test the current draw, to see what that's like. I did, as I thought it was the tracker draining mine, but disconnecting it was a bit more involved than I had time for at the time so left it.
 

Jonnyboy71

New Member
Messages
11
If the sensor does that mean best not to drive at all & get it picked up/take to garage?


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Jonnyboy71

New Member
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11
It’s done the same before and when changed to batt all went away so just the battery. Just need to get to bottom of it draining. I thought was a common issue but doesn’t sound like it is from what you all saying.

Thks


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Sam McGoo

Member
Messages
1,745
If the sensor does that mean best not to drive at all & get it picked up/take to garage?


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If you can get it to drive, ie parking brake releases, not in limp mode etc I suspect it'll be OK. It might even clear the lights when you get moving. Just bear in mind that if the lights are on, you might not have abs or stability control, so taker it easy.
 

Sam McGoo

Member
Messages
1,745
It’s done the same before and when changed to batt all went away so just the battery. Just need to get to bottom of it draining. I thought was a common issue but doesn’t sound like it is from what you all saying.

Thks


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It is very common.
 

MaserMike

Member
Messages
329
No it’s not normal to eat batteries like that. Sam also made a good point that it could be the charger and is it set to AGM mode each time?… you might want to consider taking the car to a decent auto electrician, rather than JM or HRO (both are incredibly expensive)….
 

Scaf

Member
Messages
6,512
This is true. But thought, the abs sensor usually manifests itself once you've got moving?
In my case it showed up when the car was stationery one morning, then it went away and then came back and wouldn’t go away, so it’s not an exact science.
Hopefully it’s your battery.
 

Sam McGoo

Member
Messages
1,745
No it’s not normal to eat batteries like that. ........ is it set to AGM mode each time?

This is a good point! There has been a few posts lately where people have found they had an OEM AGM battery, when I think originally from the factory they would have been a normal battery.
I'll be checking mine, as I assumed it was a normal battery, and ctek is set accordingly.
 

Jonnyboy71

New Member
Messages
11
Thanks all, you know what I don’t think I’ve used the AGM mode on ctek, Will do going forward


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