goluckman

hi this is my first post so please bare with me.. iv'e had my 52 reg sti for about 6 momths now. about 1 month ago the battery died so had to jump start it and everything seemed fine untill now. iv'e been away for around 3weeks on honeymoon and tried the car today and nothing is happening...key fobs not working so have to use key to enter car, also noticed the imobiliser light is not flashing, nothing lights up when i try starting the car, basically not a thing seems to be working. im no expert on cars like but think its to do with the battery... what happens to the alarm if i need to change the battery will the alarm need a pin entered or something because dont think i have one!! any help is much appreciated

cheers Gav..

goluckman

im also worried if i try to jump start it the alarm will play up.

scoobyd00999

iTrader: (1)

If its gone flat a few times it will be better to buy a new battery.they arent that much money and will give you piece of mind

goluckman

yeah i planned on getting a new battery but what will happen to the alarm will it need resetting or something??

shag

iTrader: (10)

mate just take battery off , re-charge it, refit it and have key fob ready when you connect the negative lead last so if it does go off you can reset quickly, doubt the fob will have gone out of sync.

DonNedly

iTrader: (10)

Scoobys are known for eating batteries for some reason.
Just replace the battery and everything will work fine again, The alarm may go off when you reconnect the battery but the fobs will all work as before.

CREWJ

I didn't know scoobs were known for that

I bet it's because it's earthing somewhere wrong.

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

Two thing about the alarm - which is the same for 99% of vehicle alarms, both OEM and aftermarket

One: If the siren sounds, press the unlock on the fob and it'll always turn off (assuming the fob actually works).
Two: if the siren ever does sound and you can't stop it, it'll sound for 30seconds then shut up (unless a door/bonnet is open).

So either way its nothing to worry about.


As for the car battery. After jumping did you charge it? Running the engine for a few hours will NEVER fully charge a battery. It may put in enough charge to last a week or so, but what ends up happening is sulphation, which damages the battery permanentaly. Never let a lead acid battery go below 12.5volts as it WILL damage it and causw a reduction in its overall capacity (or worse - a shorted cell).

Battery charge info here: http://jgdarden.com/batteryfaq/carfaq9.htm#types

Also see this post:https://www.scoobynet.com/showpost.p...34&postcount=6

If you ever have a flat battery or it feels a bit sluggish when starting the engine, ALWAYS use a mains charger to fully charge it. The majority of battery failures are caused by owner ignorance. I've not had a battery die on me since I learnt this myself and bought a decent 5 stage charger and used it at any hint of battery discharge, this has probably saved me a few hundred quid in needlessly replacing damaged batteries over the years. Everything you need to know about car batteries, charging and caring for them is here: http://jgdarden.com/batteryfaq/

DonNedly

iTrader: (10)

I only say that as most newage owners i know have had to replace the battery within 3 years of ownership.
It was also mentioned in Jap Performance in their buyers guide for imprezas that the battery doesn't last.

CREWJ

Oh newage, that's why I haven't had much of an issue then.

wrxsti280

iTrader: (6)

All scoobs go through abtteries as they dont like feeding an alarm immobiliser without regular runs to keep it charged, whilst it sits in the garage for a couple of weeks, its constantly being discharged by thenalarm and immobiliser

goluckman

cheers guy, it jump started fine so will go buy a new battery, any recomendations on good batteries??

wrxsti280

iTrader: (6)

Varta red top i think their called, unless you want to go the whole hog and buy an oddessey lightweight but your looking at £150 ish for one of them.

tubbytommy

iTrader: (20)

more internet untruth take no notice
the reason most newage owners are replacing their battery is because the cars are 5 plus years old and most batteries start to fail at this age.
also the newages use sigma alarms that were fitted before being supplied to uk dealers, this is what uses the power when the car is being unused.
if the car is unused for a length of time the batteries loose charge because they are still powering the alarm,clock etc.
they should be connected to a trickle charger like motorbikes use .

happydude303

iTrader: (1)

mine is well over 5 years old it bee there since i improted it 5 years ago hell it could even be the original one

DonNedly

iTrader: (10)

I am only speaking from personal experience. My car was 5 yrs old when i got it and the previous owner had replaced the battery already and i had to within 6 months of owning it. My father-in-law's has got through 3 batteries in 8 years. Then i noticed it mentioned in Japanese Performance so it seemed like a common thing to me. Sorry.

Anyway I haven't had any problems since fitting a Yuasa battery.
If its good enough for the BTCC its good enough for me.

madscoob

iTrader: (3)

had mine 6 years and never replaced the battery . i was told allways drive with the sidelights on even in daylight , it makes the battery easier to charge by the alternator , don't know how true that is but it's worked for me

dunx

iTrader: (3)

Nearly, the alternator will only charge when the load is sufficient to switch it on, adding a load ensures that the alternator "kicks in".

Both my Impreza's needed a new battery at 4-1/2 years old. The Japanese "MOT" occurs after three years, and most fail and are shipped abroad. Why make a battery last any longer ?

All IMHO.

dunx

kennedyuk2001

Maybe also check that the alternator is working as should be or your new battery might not last long.

maydew

iTrader: (9)

most likely the tracker killing the battery,on the early bug/blob stis the tracker dont go into sleep mod for something like a 3 days or something along the lines, most were rectified i believe but some wasnt.

solar panel from maplins works very well if been left

JohnD

iTrader: (5)

Agree with the above. The Trackstar system was notorious for draining the battery due to it not going "to sleep" My system was replaced as the only cure for the battery problem.

JohnD

boosted

why would you take it off to re charge it? just do it on the car
Also if its been pancaked a few times it will be knackered, so as mentioned just get a new one, comes fully charged. All you will loose is the radio code

RobsyUK

iTrader: (2)

Would braking no do the job? Radio too

boosted

and fuel pump, and injectors, ecu, heater blower, coil packs, boost control solenoid etc etc etc lol