helimeddaz Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 Hi All, Right then, been away on mi hols for 2 weeks and today went to start the Z and guess what? Battery flat as a F%$3. Now I would expect a bit of a drain over 2 weeks, but this is really flat and would not turn over the engine. I've had to go to work in the other car, Smart 4/2 (No Laughing) while the Z recharges. My question is to our learned elders. Do we think think this is a normal drain or not. The Z was new 21st Feb this year and has had no issues to date with the battery or starting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stew Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 I'd personally say no. 2 weeks shouldn't drain the battery completely! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbs Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 I'd personally say no. 2 weeks shouldn't drain the battery completely! +1 I use mine as a second car and sometimes leave for up to 4 weeks in the garage without any issues Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stew Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 I'd personally say no. 2 weeks shouldn't drain the battery completely! +1 I use mine as a second car and sometimes leave for up to 4 weeks in the garage without any issues +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martinmac Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 Mine is regularly in storage for a minimum of 2 week out of 4 and often 6 weeks on the run. This is outside too and I have never had any issues. Car is 4 years old with the original battery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark@Abbey m/s Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 Have you got a tracker fitted? Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beavis Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 I'd personally say no. 2 weeks shouldn't drain the battery completely! +1 I use mine as a second car and sometimes leave for up to 4 weeks in the garage without any issues +1 +2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbs Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 It's only 9 months old get it baclk to the dealer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZMANALEX Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 As the guys have said 2 weeks is not acceptable unless you have stuff running when the car is locked. I would take it back to the dealer and get them to check the battery condition and the charging rate all under warranty. Alex. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helimeddaz Posted November 16, 2009 Author Share Posted November 16, 2009 Booked it in for battery check Weds with the steelers. Always brings me out in a sweat when I have to get involved with them. I suppose it's a matter of trust (Or lack of it). No Tracker or drains I know of. when it's off it's off. Any recommendations from my Yorkshire region owners for a good dealers service centre? A dealer with someone who knows something about 350's would be good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martinmac Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 The guys at Howden seemed to know the car and are getting involved on here so they may be worth a shout. 2 mins away from the M62. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marzman Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 See this a lot with JDM's as they have a smaller battery, but this shouldnt happen to yours. My JDM battery went after 2 weeks as i'd left the reversing camera switched on while i was away Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helimeddaz Posted November 16, 2009 Author Share Posted November 16, 2009 Hope this is going to be simple...Dont want to go looking for trouble at this stage... Fingers crossed.. Had a big Hi-fi install done months ago.. So cant see it being that or it would have gone sooner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stew Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 Hope this is going to be simple...Dont want to go looking for trouble at this stage... Fingers crossed.. Had a big Hi-fi install done months ago.. So cant see it being that or it would have gone sooner. Ahhhhhhh....... this is a VERY important thing to mention. The dealer will say it's down to this and it might well be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helimeddaz Posted November 16, 2009 Author Share Posted November 16, 2009 Hope this is going to be simple...Dont want to go looking for trouble at this stage... Fingers crossed.. Had a big Hi-fi install done months ago.. So cant see it being that or it would have gone sooner. Ahhhhhhh....... this is a VERY important thing to mention. The dealer will say it's down to this and it might well be. How does that work? When you switch off the key the HI-Fi is all powered down! (No power cap for sub installed) I had exacly the same kit in a Civic type R will no issues at all. I know the stealers will look for any loophole they can, But a battery test will prove the battery good or not and then if thats ok, a power drain test with the ignition off will show any excessive drains beyond normal. I know all cars have some drain when turned off. ECU, Airbag system recycle checks and so on. I've left it stood for a week before with no issues. For once I hope I've been daft enough to have left something on (Interior light or something) 1 Thought I have had. When I took delivery the boot light did not work. When I noticed I polled the cover off to change the bulb as you would and found that the plug was not attached, so I plugged it back in and it worked. Never thought to check if it stayed on all the time and wouldn't see it as I have a tonneau cover fitted. Am I being paranoid or do you think the wires were off for a reason? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanS Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 make sure the dealer checks the charge rate from the alternator - may not be an issue of losing charge...but that you aren't getting enough in the first place. My Zed is 5 yrs old and only battery issue was when I left the interior light on by mistake - amateur! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rich5259 Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 When I took delivery the boot light did not work. When I noticed I polled the cover off to change the bulb as you would and found that the plug was not attached, so I plugged it back in and it worked. Never thought to check if it stayed on all the time and wouldn't see it as I have a tonneau cover fitted. Am I being paranoid or do you think the wires were off for a reason? the dealer might have disconnected the light so it didn't drain the battery when the boot was open all day on the forecourt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helimeddaz Posted November 16, 2009 Author Share Posted November 16, 2009 When I took delivery the boot light did not work. When I noticed I polled the cover off to change the bulb as you would and found that the plug was not attached, so I plugged it back in and it worked. Never thought to check if it stayed on all the time and wouldn't see it as I have a tonneau cover fitted. Am I being paranoid or do you think the wires were off for a reason? the dealer might have disconnected the light so it didn't drain the battery when the boot was open all day on the forecourt Ah, Never thought of that. Mine was the last of their Z's and was the showroom car, but I bet thats was why it was off. Left the Z at home all day on charge. I have a really good electronic charger which you can use while the battery is still connected to the car. It cycles and recycles the charge rate and then goes into "Flo" mode to maintain it once it registers full. Just taken it of charge and all seems ok. Off into Nissan Leeds Weds A.M. so I'll update once I've had their verdict. Thanks for all the advice. As always top owners.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helimeddaz Posted November 18, 2009 Author Share Posted November 18, 2009 Well... Here's the update! Went to dealers today. Evans Halshaw Nissan (Leeds). Asked for the Service Manager (Carl) and explained that this was a 1 shot deal and if they got this wrong or cocked up they would not see me come service time. I asked that he give the job card for my hard earned Z to his best man and was assured that this would happen, He said they had a 350 specialist. Explained what had occured with the battery. He did feel that 2 weeks on a Z would not be unheard of for the battery to drain off and said that it needs 7 to 9 volts minimum to power up the systems before turning over the engine. There is a work shop viewing window, so once my keys were handed over I positioned myself to watch. The Z was duly brought in and attached to the diagnostic kit. I saw the tech doing a number of checks with the machine and visually. He too about an hour in total. When the tests were done the service manager came back to me and the verdict was that the battery was in fine fettle and the readings showed no excessive power "off" systems drain, even with my Hi-Fi install. The charging rate was within limits. He also said that the diagnostic had read the recorded the low battery episode from the cars memory (Don't know about that one). He said that was all they could do at this stage, but if I had any problems, book it back in and they would re-check it. Overall I am satisfied with the Dealers checks and the Dealership was very helpful and listened to my concerns about my Z. I will consider them at service time. Although I may book it in and take my Ipod, a buttie and a flask and sit at the window and watch them (Like a hawk).lol Not very trusting I know, But I worked hard for my pride and joy and take it personally if it's not given the TLC I deem fit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rich5259 Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 Good news everything checked out ok. Hope it was a one off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helimeddaz Posted November 18, 2009 Author Share Posted November 18, 2009 Good news everything checked out ok. Hope it was a one off Me too... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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