Stop/start battery flat

[Deleted User]

The stop/start battery in my 2014 Focus 1.6TDCI is flat and won't start the car. I understand you need a special charger to charge these types of batteries up and also they need special installation to make sure everything still works once replaced.

Anyway, I'm just going to get a fast fit place to fit me a new battery and sort all that out. Even more so because you have to strip down half the engine bay to get the battery out. I think the battery that's in is still the original battery as it has Ford on it so it's been in 7 and a half years if it is.

What I want to know is it still safe to jump start the car? as obviously I'll need to take it to the fast fit place for the new battery to be fitted. I did try my cheapy jump start pack but it didn't work so I'm planning on borrowing some jump leads or a decent jump pack if it's safe to do so.

TadleyBaggie

I've jump started cars with start/stop without problems.

[Deleted User]

Totally safe to jump start the car.

Deleted_User said:

 Even more so because you have to strip down half the engine bay to get the battery out. 

Only need to remove the airbox to fit the battery, nothing major, 10 min job:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hchTUUcHTBg&t=18s

The BMS needs a reset to tell it that a new battery has been fitted, if the garage don't do it then you can do it yourself, ignition on, lights on dipped, press 5x on/off rear fog light then 3x on/off hazards within 10 seconds and the battery light will flash a few times on the dash to confirm the BMS has been reset for new battery.

Make sure you have the code for your radio, if you don't, get the battery changed with continuous power supplied.

shiraz99

Do not attempt to jump start the battery directly. There should be separate jump start posts located in the engine bay which you can use. Directly jump starting an AGM battery on a car with a stop/start can knacker the battery management system.

[Deleted User]

Update:

Borrowed a huge hefty jump start pack which didn't start it neither nor did a cheapy pair of jump leads. So decided to buy a battery from the AA via their website (not as a breakdown as I don't have At Home cover, only Roadside) but still can't help feeling like I've been done by them.

AA guy turned up and noticed that some relay under the bonnet was still on/making a sound (which it was from when I tried to jump it an hour or so earlier) so he said there might be a problem with car draining the battery. Got it started with his jump starter then he put some tester on and said it was charging up fine at 13v or something but still went on to sell me a battery. Battery cost me £200 but the website says I should have saved £35 fitting as I have Roadside cover therefore the cost should have just been £165.

This is a copy of his report which was emailed to me:

Started your vehicle, tested your battery, charging system and tested for electrical drains. Your battery was found to be unserviceable and it has been replaced. Mbr had attempted to jump start vehicle prior to my arrival , system not shutting down correctly , followed aa battery boost from anti spike jump pack , checked charging 14.6 v @ 80 amps , carried out battery test and failed roadside test mbr requested battery replacement Engine Oil Level Ok. Coolant Level Ok.

I know I probably could have changed the battery myself and did the resetting stuff but the battery itself is £150 at Halfords so saving the hassle might have been worth the extra cost. AA did fit a Bosch battery though.

Flight3287462

But you weren't at the roadside, you were at home.

[Deleted User]

Flight3287462 said:

But you weren't at the roadside, you were at home.

Roadside cover, which I have. You wouldn't be booking a battery job on their website and selecting a time and date slot of your choosing if you're stuck at the roadside broken down.

If I breakdown in a car park do I need car park cover?

Ibrahim5

If you buy a Ctek charger or equivalent you should never have to change the battery as an emergency. A Varta with 5 year warranty costs £75 from Tayna delivered. Gives you chance to plan the change. Just look how to remove air filter and battery reset procedure. Change on a nice afternoon when you have time.

roddydogs

Isn't it still dodgy with modern emus? Compared with the old days?

[Deleted User]

roddydogs said:

Isn't it still dodgy with modern emus?

One for Rod Hull.

Ibrahim5

So many jobs on a car involve disconnecting the battery. Most handbooks tell you how to do it safely. It's amazing how people have become too scared to do anything on a car.