Calling International Rescue . . .

Currently on hols in Italy - however, RR isn't having as good a time as us, and so has thrown a strop - probably flat batt . . . . .

Waiting for breakdown to come to jump it, then have a drive around.

Question is this - If it's going to do this agin before we're back in UK - is it worth buying a jump pack as a "Get You Home" ?
If so, what spec ie. amps etc ?

Car is a 2005 TD6 - new battery January this year.

Presume I've done it by opening closing roof / windows whilst parked . . . .

Ciao . . . . Where do you go after one of these . . . ?

The battery failed (totally) in mine a couple of years ago to the extent that the electric steering lock would not work, so it was stuck in Park. The RAC guy turned up, applied his jump pack and there was only enough juice in it to allow us to unlock the transmission, get it into neutral and push it out of the garage so it could be jump-started from his van.

Their jump packs don't have the power to crank a V8 so I'd be surprised if there were any out there which did. They may work on the TD6 but no guarantees. If I were you, I'd hunt for a new battery while I was out there. 2021 3.0 P400 Vogue
2012 4.4 TDV8 Westminster - gone!
2007 3.6 TDV8 Vogue - gone!
2003 V8 HSE (LPG) - gone!
2018 F-Pace 25t Portfolio
1974 LR Series III Lightweight FFR
2014 BMW 640i Gran Coupe

There's not much power in the £50 consumer ones - they offer a bit of boost but will not help if the battery is properly dead.
Spare battery and a set of jump leads is about the only reliable option - but again you need decent jump leads to handle the required current.
I found machine mart the best source for quality leads at a reasonable price

I've got one of those jump packs which i have used successfully on a number of cars over the years including a 300tdi Discovery in the middle of winter.
in the middle of winter.
Had a flat battery on the td6 a few weeks ago, the jump pack didn't even look at it although fully charged.
I would say your best bet would be to get the car started and then go buy a battery charger and charge your battery. Even if it means taking it off the car.
Bear in mind one of these batteries could take upto 48 hours to charge fully from flat.
Enjoy the rest of your holiday

I bought a cheap one off of the bay - about £30. It started my 4.4 a couple of times when the battery was low (from leaving interior lights on etc) and also started it from completely flat once (2 days of interior light on!) But was slow to turn over, if it had been winter I doubt it would have worked.

A lot of time the battery is just too low to crank, but isn't flat and just a little boost is needed. I never needed it after my second battery install  

My Dad bought me a cheapish Batt pack but it is a bit crappy and no good for my Rangey, it is good for providing power through a cigerette lighter socket or using the built in air pump but thats about it.

Did you leave the car in the access mode position when you left it on Holiday as I'm sure if it isn't it wakes up now and again to check the air suspension is level (can't be 100% about this).

I've always had a problem with my battery (for 4 years of ownership )because if I am in and out of the car a dozen times in an afternoon the battery will be flat and will need jumping (or just 10mins on the charger). But if I park it up for a 2 week holiday it is happy to start on my return even in the winter months. Very strange but have lived with it.

Adam

how about one of those solar battery charger things you can leave on the dash and it'll keep your existing battery topped up..







edit..must learn grammer..

Last edited by stan on 14th Aug 2011 5:13pm. Edited 1 time in total

scarey wrote:

how about one of those solar battery charger things you can leave on the dash and it'll your existing battery topped up..

Thanks all for your prompt replies

Europe Assistance attended very promptly - remember, Italy, Sunday afternoon (!)

Charging OK
Started fine off jump pack
Appears ok now

I believe the fault may have been human error ie getting stuff in/out of car, opening/closing windows & doors & sunroof, and blowing up air beds from boot socket - all while engine off . . . . .

Plan now is to but HD jump leads or look for jump pack - we'll see . . . .

On a different thread, can the boot lights be disabled ? The interior ones can be de activated following the hand book, but can't see anything for the boot ones . . . . And another thing - what about the ridiculous song and dance the steering has to go through every time you get in it

Thanks again  Where do you go after one of these . . . ?

temporally take bulbs out of boot lights ..

PHEW - started no probs this AM, then completed 412 miles no probs "and all was good in the world"

I blame the air bed . . . . and it was flat in the AM ! DOH

Going for a solar trickle charger when I get back . . . . . where do you get one from ? Where do you go after one of these . . . ?

Maplins

i just carry a spare battery and very heavy duty jump leads  "RANGEISM WILL NOT BE TOLERATED"
www.futuresecurityservices.co.uk
Pretlove says , '' I want my car back "

TugRR wrote:

On a different thread, can the boot lights be disabled ? The interior ones can be de activated following the hand book, but can't see anything for the boot ones . . . .

Quote:

And another thing - what about the ridiculous song and dance the steering has to go through every time you get in it

I have one of these in my boot:

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/...yId_165629

Paul