Flat Battery or Alarm issue?

[chickenmadras]

Just went to open my 7 with the fob and couldnt, so used the key to get in. Nothing happens when I turn the key, no lights, no clicks and nothing at all when I go to turn it on.

Its like the battery is flat, but so flat that its giving me absolutely nothing.

All I have had plugged in is a USB lead, thats been in there for weeks, surely that cant be responsible?

I drove the car last weekend, and have never had any problems with the battery since I bought the car.

The only thing I can think of is that I have somehow blocked access to the car via the key fob...I did push a wrong button when locking it at the weekend.

Its a CLIFFORD Concept 650 mk2

Any advice would be great, thanks

 

[JoeLanger]

What voltage you getting at the battery?

Could it be the main 120A fuse?

 

[Spendyrx]

Yeah id get a multimeter on your battery first n see what's happening!
Or if you've not got one to hand. Disconnect the battery, clean the terminals and reconnect.
Maybe get 2 wires and a bulb to see if it's generating any power and as Joe says check the fuses!

 

[Spendyrx]

Not sure if it would work but even try leaving the battery disconnected for 20 mins! May not do anything but worth a try

 

[chickenmadras]

Thanks guys, I'll go and buy one tomorrow...

 

[Spendyrx]

See if you can get one in maplin if there's ome local to you! They got super mega deals on atm as ghey re closing down!
It's always worth buying a multimeter

 

[chickenmadras]

Just had a quick look and assumed I could just pop the fuse out, but it looks as though there are two screws either side, one which I'll need to remove the battery to get to.

So I'll stick to the original plan of getting the multi meter in the morning.

 

[JoeLanger]

Hard to see from the photos but looks OK.
You should be able to see the metal still in tact.

Just get the cheapest one that's all I use for at home.

 

[Rehab.pr]

Sounds like immobiliser issue to me. Alarms are always a pain in the ass. Mine worked great for a while then intermittently starts acting weird, then eventually it stopped working altogether doing exactly what you just explained. What started a a wire hunt to find the fault ended up in me tearing apart the interior removing the dash and removing the alarm system completely. I tried troubleshooting it for weeks so lost it in the end and I’m no stranger to electrics so go figure. I hope yours is just a flat battery, if not it could be the Inline fuse for your Clifford box is blown. If it’s not that then good luck that’s all I’ll say.

 

[Spendyrx]

Haha that sounds like fun and all for a piece of paper to bring your insurance down! Let's face it, that's all its there for!

 

[chickenmadras]

Multi meter confirms flat battery.

It wont start at all, its so flat but also as I can't disable the immobiliser as the battery is flat, so I'm cornered!!

Going to borrow a charger now and try again.

ffs, its blatently the alarm that has made it go flat

 

[JoeLanger]

As above I ripped my alarm out, I don't see what benefit it has, some cunts still gonna steal it if they want it.

 

[Sidzrx]

Clifford alarms are known for heavy battery drain

 

[chickenmadras]

Clifford alarms are known for heavy battery drain

I'm wondering if my alternator isnt charging the battery, as its only left 5 days or so between drives.

As above I ripped my alarm out, I don't see what benefit it has, some cunts still gonna steal it if they want it.

I didn't want it in the first place, but my Insurance wanted it and I had to send them my certificate. So really, instead of my Insurance being around £400, its actually £800 due to the cost of the alarm, which annoys the shit out of me every time I walk past it

 

[Spendyrx]

I have recently been told a cool ltitle trick to find if something is draining your battery!
Basically you disconnect your negative lead, get a single filament bulb, touch the filament on top of the negative side and hold the negative lead to the metal bit on the side of the bulb! If the bulb lights up then somethings grounding out! Simple as that!
I have a drain! Could hear it clicking in the dash somewhere. Will investigate after 7s day!

 

[chickenmadras]

I have recently been told a cool ltitle trick to find if something is draining your battery!
Basically you disconnect your negative lead, get a single filament bulb, touch the filament on top of the negative side and hold the negative lead to the metal bit on the side of the bulb! If the bulb lights up then somethings grounding out! Simple as that!
I have a drain! Could hear it clicking in the dash somewhere. Will investigate after 7s day!

Thanks for the tip!

I charged the battery over night on a slow charge and er yeh, was able to get the alarm to allow me to enter the disable PIN code.

Now, I called the Alarm installer last night and they advised that this alarm will drain the battery if I dont drive the car for 2 weeks (now noted), but I will also hold my hands up as I realised what caused my battery to go flat...

Before I say it, I am a massive silly c**t.

I just drove around for 20 mins on the freshly charged battery and found my inside light to be on.

Yes, I must have left it on when I was rooting around last week in the dark.

FFS.

Thanks for all your help though peeps

 

[Spendyrx]

Haha we've all been there mate at least you don't have to go hunting for shit