Last used 31/03 (I think).  Perfect.   Went to start it today and it won't go.  Tried getting a jump of a Hilux and nothing.  Put the battery on charge but something is not right.  The charger seems to be cutting in out at irregular moments - and a meter across the terminals shows only 5v.  I would assume the battery is done for but it's a 66 plate with only 21k, infrequent journies, never short.

The system now is not recognising the fob (possibly because of the battery) and I'm wondering if anyone can tell me why a battery (if it is that) should die so suddenly.

My drive is on a slope.  I've chocked the rear wheels as I'm concerned about failure of the electronic handbrake if the battery loses whatever it's got lost.  Was this necessary?

When I bought the car the dealer (franchised) said don't leave things on to long without running the engine - perhaps 10 days is to long.

I have an 'expert' nearby (used to be a VW mechanic).  He advises not disconnecting the battery but to keep on charging even though there are times when a clicking noise is coming from the engine bay.  He says this is due to the canbus wiring system used in most vehicles today.  It's all a long way from testing with a hydrometer, and replacing battery.

 

Thanks in advance. 

Have you left an interior lamp on?

On Friday the battery on our XV had just enough power for a couple of cranks before dying. Turns out I'd knocked the interior lamp after taking it to work on Wednesday (possibly by chucking my coat in the back) and then a couple of starts whilst investigating the lack of air-con and that was enough to drain it. The lamp has a rocker switch that is very easy to knock and I would imagine the Outback has the same.

It sounds odd that it wouldn't accept a jump, but if it only has 5 V it may have lost some cells.

Good luck!

No, I've done that before - this was just down to non-use for 10 days.  A full days charge and a few hrs. the next morning did the trick.  It seems that when the car slips that low it goes into accessory mode, and maybe this is why it wouldn't jump.  To fix that you have to hold the fob next to the starter button whilst depressing the brake pedal (logical - but works) the button turns green and you're ready to go.  Wierd things, new cars.  Apparently it's in the handbook, but I couldn't see it.

Anyway, thanks for your reply, reminders never hurt.

 

JN

Good to hear you've sorted it, and thank you for the useful information about battery drainage 👍. (I've had a quick look through the handbook but couldn't find it either, although there was a bit about re-syncing the keys to the car, so maybe you have to work it out from that?!)

The Mrs is now working from home now I'm making a conscious efforrt to take the XV to work at least once a week to keep the battery topped up and the brakes free, etc.

Over inflate the tyres to prevent / reduce flatspotting (I had to let mine down this week because it suddenly got hotter) and chock the rear wheels, leaving the handbrake off.  Trickle charge the battery with the low setting on your charger or get one of those super duper C-TEK ones (mentioned on this site).  Or take the car a little more frequently than once a week until you know what you can get away with.  Mine needs a large reserve because it has to power the glow plugs and start a diesel, more work than starting a petrol.

As for the keys, I think they were still synced as it could operate the locks and immobiliser etc. after charge.  The trick was to get it out of accessory mode into run mode.

 

JN