Jump starter kit for a Nissan Micra???

catnicex

Hi,
i have been some problems with my Nissan Micra's battery 4-5 times in the last year due to an electrical problem (it goes completely flat everytime I don't drive it for 4-5 days in a row)
After a check with the garage, they said that it would be more expensive, given the car's age, to check and find the electrical problem that dries out the battery than just to call the AA or similars everytime, since it is only for 4-5 times a year and I have the breakdown cover anyway (really cheap...30 pound with home recovery!....thanks to this website and topcashback... :-) )
So I did last year...
This year, after it happened again last week, I was wondering if it made sense to buy a cheap jump starter kit...
I have found some of the for a price between 20 and 50 pounds online (on Amazon and other website...), but I have not idea about which one would be suitable...if there are differences between different models, etc...

Any help?

Many thanks in advance

Alessandro

Inactive

Any would be suitable for a Nissan Micra, why not just disconnect one lead from your battery when the car is not in use?.

catnicex

disconnecting the lead would make it...when I am on holiday for example...but the problem usually arises when I leave for 1 week, for example, leaving the car to my wife...and she just forgets to drive it... :-(
A cheap jump starter is the best option I think...

If you think any would be suitable, I buy the cheap one at 20 pound on Amazon....
Many thanks

Alessandro

anewman

Firstly, post on a Nissan forum describing your problems. It may be a common one and have an easy fix. If that fails go to an Automotive Electrician, they have their own section in the phone book, and specialise in car electrical systems (most mechanics in garages make particularly poor electricians). Assuming they find the problem and sort it within an hour it should be under £50 I'd imagine.

It could be just that your battery is coming to the end of it's useful life and you need a new one. How old is the battery?

If the £20 one is a cigarette lighter type I would avoid it.

zxcv784

I bought this when my old car had battery problems when it was on sale for £40 very good piece of kit...

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=353865

Kilty_2

I'm sure Aldi had such a thing in the other week - probably still some kicking around in your local store.

Wasn't expensive either.

goldspanners

Kilty wrote: »

I'm sure Aldi had such a thing in the other week - probably still some kicking around in your local store.

Wasn't expensive either.

apparently they went like hotcakes. well round here they did. i know someone who had to visit 4 stores to get it,and got the last one in there.

i would rather spend a few quid getting the car fixed,by the sounds of it its an old micra,which should be easy to rewire the charging system if its a wiring fault. im guessing the alternator has been ruled out.
or failing this, a battery isolator switch inside the car which disconnects the battery when your leaving it for a few days.

Kilty_2

goldspanners wrote: »

apparently they went like hotcakes. well round here they did. i know someone who had to visit 4 stores to get it,and got the last one in there.

Heh fair enough - it was a few weeks ago right enough - they still had some in my local when I was looking for the packs of fuses (which were gone - although I'm glad I didn't buy that now because I think they were standard ones and not mini blade which my car uses).

Gotta love some of the things Aldi get in that cause masses of people to rush there :rotfl:

petrolhead69

get a cheap multimeter, put the black lead in com and the red lead in 10A, set it to 10A range, ignition off, disconnect the battery - lead, connect the red multimeter lead to the battery - lead and the and the black lead to the battery - terminal. place the meter so you can read the display while at the fusebox (make sure the doors and boot are closed so the curtosy light is off) remove and replace the fuses one at a time and see if any one fuse makes a bigger difference than all the rest to the reading. you want it to be as close to 0.00 as possible, but you will never get there. if one fuse makes a bigger difference than the rest see what it feeds. if it isn't one of the fuses unplug the alternator to see if that makes a difference
post your results.
pat yourself on the back cos your doing science

come tothink of it haveyou actually tried a new battery? knackered ones self-discharge quickly when not in use

iolanthe07

My wife had a Micra and this happened. It was cured by a software fix from the main dealer. Also, make sure that you always lock the car, even if it is in a locked garage.