starting after sitting - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

RossD · 10-11-2002, 23:31

Gidday, How much trouble to start a EA 4 speed thats been sitting for a couple of months with a flat battery? Will the ECU be a problem? Anything I should Know when putting a battery in to start it.
Cheers Ross

NZ · 10-12-2002, 00:29

It may take a few cranks but if everything is mechanically fine it should go. Maybe put some more petrol in the tank as whats in there may be stale. If the battery was totally dead, the car will run fine and maybe even better when it relearns itself.

Troutman · 10-12-2002, 00:49

I regularly leave my car undriven for weeks at a time, and it always runs fine. If your car is to be left for any period again, I recommend disconnecting the battery.

If you want to be on the safe side, an oil change wouldn't hurt either.

10-12-2002, 07:05

Don't allow a car battery to completely run flat as it kills them.

You will need to buy a new battery now most likely, as the one you have will go flat very quickly. If your going to leave the car for a long length of time it is a good idea to disconnect the battery completely and charge it up with a battery charger every couple of weeks so that the battery does not go flat and get destroyed.

Troutman · 10-12-2002, 20:39

Quote:

Originally posted by donuts2001
Don't allow a car battery to completely run flat as it kills them.

You will need to buy a new battery now most likely, as the one you have will go flat very quickly. If your going to leave the car for a long length of time it is a good idea to disconnect the battery completely and charge it up with a battery charger every couple of weeks so that the battery does not go flat and get destroyed.

Actually, my understanding is that a disconnected battery will never go flat.

shrekky · 10-13-2002, 12:17

actually, they will go flat and deteriorate slowly if not used. Battery shops sell old stock off cheap because of this. tho they wont go flat very quickly. Best to trickle charge it overnight once a month. If its only for a few months you should be ok just disconnecting it tho.

Troutman · 10-13-2002, 19:50

Is there a device I can buy to charge it via a mains socket?

damienpw · 10-13-2002, 23:02

Go down to your local auto shop...supercheap or the likes. You should be able to find a charger that will automatically reduce to trickle charge once fully charged - or maybe even switchable. Electronics stores also stock various chargers (you're after a 12v lead acid battery charger with trickle - not NiCad or others as the batteries have different characteristics - not sure what the differences are though ;o)

Damien

SiX_iN_a_RoW · 10-13-2002, 23:55

you will also find leaving the battery on cement will cause them to go flat alot quicker...and yes they do go flat when not in use

TopGhia · 10-14-2002, 00:17

That cement thing is an old wives tale. You mean to say the charge is leaking out of the case into the cement?

C'mon!!!!!