Technical question for a Nissan Almera

Simon · 13th July 2007, 20:25

Yes - I know it's not a Rover/MG but I'm allowed to post things like this here - I've got a note from my mum saying I can

Anyway...

Girlfriends Nissan Almera isn't healthy. For one month it hasn't been driven around but was used once (short trip) about a week ago. Yesterday it didn't start. We thought it could have been fuel as the tank was extremely low (ie virtually empty). So we put 4 or 5 litres of regular unleaded in the tank and tried again - still nothing. All we get is a "clunk" which sounds like it's the starter motor trying to turn over. Symptoms seem to point towards no battery power because 1) Very dim lights and intrument cluster fails when you try and start the car 2) Voltage accross battery terminals reads a dismal 9V.

Question is: Would buying a battery charger recharge the battery sufficiently to keep it going. Battery is about 5 years old in the car at pressent. Would we be better buying a new battery and be done with it and if this is the case, what is the correct procedure for removing/refitting a battery from a car?

pondweed · 13th July 2007, 20:30

bump start it or jump start it, and then see if the battery holds charge after a good long run and then a few days. (or indeed will start it again!)
If not, take off the negative terminal first when changing to stop sparks...

Phil · 13th July 2007, 20:31

Remove the battery, negative terminal first, I'd be inclined to stick a new battery on it, the price of a battery charger would probably equal the new battery and even then you don't know if the battery is ok.

Simon · 13th July 2007, 20:34

Oh yes... should have said:

Jump starting didn't work!

black olive · 13th July 2007, 20:37

sounds like a knackered battery, or it could be the satnav draining the battery via the K bus

get rid of it and buy a 75

pondweed · 13th July 2007, 20:41

or get rid of the girlfriend and find one with a 75? (or in fact, practically any other car other than an almera...)

Simon · 13th July 2007, 20:57

Unfortunately the Almera needs to be mobile within the next few days and so this weekend is the only opportunity to buy a new battery should it need it.

Are we sold on the new battery idea then?

Mike · 13th July 2007, 21:05

All the money is on your battery. Replace is a good bet

This link tells you how to change a battery (thanks Christopher

)

http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-...-car-battery-2

Simon · 13th July 2007, 21:21

Thanks for the help peeps.

Mike - Interesting how the guy in the video wears the gloves for cleaning the battery cables but does not wear them for actually handling the wires when disconnecting/reconnecting the battery.

I'm guessing it should be safe to lean/touch the cars bodywork whilst doing this procedure...? I wont earth myself to the battery inadvertantly will I?

Mike · 13th July 2007, 21:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simon D

I'm guessing it should be safe to lean/touch the cars bodywork whilst doing this procedure...? I wont earth myself to the battery inadvertantly will I?

No you won't at all, it is safe. The one important thing is to remove the connectors in the right order

13th July 2007, 20:25	#1
Simon Banned - Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: - Posts: 10,318 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	Technical question for a Nissan Almera Yes - I know it's not a Rover/MG but I'm allowed to post things like this here - I've got a note from my mum saying I can Anyway... Girlfriends Nissan Almera isn't healthy. For one month it hasn't been driven around but was used once (short trip) about a week ago. Yesterday it didn't start. We thought it could have been fuel as the tank was extremely low (ie virtually empty). So we put 4 or 5 litres of regular unleaded in the tank and tried again - still nothing. All we get is a "clunk" which sounds like it's the starter motor trying to turn over. Symptoms seem to point towards no battery power because 1) Very dim lights and intrument cluster fails when you try and start the car 2) Voltage accross battery terminals reads a dismal 9V. Question is: Would buying a battery charger recharge the battery sufficiently to keep it going. Battery is about 5 years old in the car at pressent. Would we be better buying a new battery and be done with it and if this is the case, what is the correct procedure for removing/refitting a battery from a car?

13th July 2007, 20:31	#3
Phil This is my second home Rover 75 CDT Connoisseur SE Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Wales Posts: 12,227 Thanks: 469 Thanked 523 Times in 241 Posts	Remove the battery, negative terminal first, I'd be inclined to stick a new battery on it, the price of a battery charger would probably equal the new battery and even then you don't know if the battery is ok. __________________

13th July 2007, 21:05	#8
Mike This is my second home Rover 75 V8 Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 3,448 Thanks: 0 Thanked 206 Times in 32 Posts	All the money is on your battery. Replace is a good bet This link tells you how to change a battery (thanks Christopher ) http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-...-car-battery-2 __________________ Mike [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

13th July 2007, 20:30	#2
pondweed This is my second home Waiter, Waiter! I seem to have a Roomster in my drive... Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sussex Posts: 3,268 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	bump start it or jump start it, and then see if the battery holds charge after a good long run and then a few days. (or indeed will start it again!) If not, take off the negative terminal first when changing to stop sparks...

13th July 2007, 20:34	#4
Simon Banned - Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: - Posts: 10,318 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	Oh yes... should have said: Jump starting didn't work!

13th July 2007, 20:37	#5
black olive I really should get out more....... 260 SE vin 214 ( last mark 1 260 ) Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Lancashire Posts: 2,009 Thanks: 1 Thanked 8 Times in 4 Posts	sounds like a knackered battery, or it could be the satnav draining the battery via the K bus get rid of it and buy a 75

13th July 2007, 20:41	#6
pondweed This is my second home Waiter, Waiter! I seem to have a Roomster in my drive... Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sussex Posts: 3,268 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	or get rid of the girlfriend and find one with a 75? (or in fact, practically any other car other than an almera...)

13th July 2007, 20:57	#7
Simon Banned - Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: - Posts: 10,318 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	Unfortunately the Almera needs to be mobile within the next few days and so this weekend is the only opportunity to buy a new battery should it need it. Are we sold on the new battery idea then?

13th July 2007, 21:21	#9
Simon Banned - Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: - Posts: 10,318 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	Thanks for the help peeps. Mike - Interesting how the guy in the video wears the gloves for cleaning the battery cables but does not wear them for actually handling the wires when disconnecting/reconnecting the battery. I'm guessing it should be safe to lean/touch the cars bodywork whilst doing this procedure...? I wont earth myself to the battery inadvertantly will I?