AgingGeek
Club Member
Hi all, I could do with some advice
My 280z was in storage for a few weeks, but I accidentally left the lights on (doh!). This of course killed the battery and I only noticed when I tried to start it. I will point out its all been working fine up until this point. The volt meter would always show good voltage and the charge light was never on.
I tried to jump start the car from my wife ford focus, but it simply wouldn't start, I couldn't even get the engine to turn over (still had the lights switched on, as I hadn't noticed this yet)
I took the battery out, and put it on the ctek charger for about 3-4 hours. I figured this would be enough to get some charge in to start it, then I could take it for a long drive to charge the battery. I took the car out, drove for about 40 mins, but it was getting dark so I had to put the lights on after about 20 mins. Then the car started to die, lights went out and I got stuck. I had to get the AA to come out, they started the car with a jump pack, but said there was no voltage coming from the alternator. We linked the car to his van, ran it for 20 mins off his alternator and I drove it the 10 mins home.
I have since charged the battery for about 7 hours, fired up the car and checked the voltage, I see 12 volts off and running, so clearly nothing from the alternator.
The alternator was working fine before this, I wonder if having a totally dead battery somehow fried the alternator? Is there anyway to check?
I assume all I can do now is buy a new alternator and a new battery?
thanks for any advice
My 280z was in storage for a few weeks, but I accidentally left the lights on (doh!). This of course killed the battery and I only noticed when I tried to start it. I will point out its all been working fine up until this point. The volt meter would always show good voltage and the charge light was never on.
I tried to jump start the car from my wife ford focus, but it simply wouldn't start, I couldn't even get the engine to turn over (still had the lights switched on, as I hadn't noticed this yet)
I took the battery out, and put it on the ctek charger for about 3-4 hours. I figured this would be enough to get some charge in to start it, then I could take it for a long drive to charge the battery. I took the car out, drove for about 40 mins, but it was getting dark so I had to put the lights on after about 20 mins. Then the car started to die, lights went out and I got stuck. I had to get the AA to come out, they started the car with a jump pack, but said there was no voltage coming from the alternator. We linked the car to his van, ran it for 20 mins off his alternator and I drove it the 10 mins home.
I have since charged the battery for about 7 hours, fired up the car and checked the voltage, I see 12 volts off and running, so clearly nothing from the alternator.
The alternator was working fine before this, I wonder if having a totally dead battery somehow fried the alternator? Is there anyway to check?
I assume all I can do now is buy a new alternator and a new battery?
thanks for any advice