purplebargeken Posted October 23, 2016 Share Posted October 23, 2016 Having obtained a silver 156 Sportwagon in dizzle flavour from our very own Moog of this Parish. I decided to visit the barn in Essex to give it some cosmetic attention as the plan was to get my mate to drive it to the local lock up at the weekend. The aim was to tackle the small bits of rust and scratches that adorn its svelte bodywork and just give it a bit of attention. This visit coincided with my multi-Daf owning mate who needed to move a small white Volvo 66 saloon under the eaves of the barn. The plan was to move the Alfa, lob the Volvo in the barn and then put the Alfa at the front of the queue ready for Saturday. Well, that was the plan. It would have worked superbly but for one teeny tiny thing. The Alfa battery was as flat as a skinny pancake. Zilch, no warning lights or anything. Arsebiscuits. Ok, no problem. The Sable is next to it and a set of jump leads were used. Feck all difference. The engine did a half-arsed (at best) attempt to growl but no way was it going to fire. Am pretty sure I hadn't left anything 'on' electrically. It has been a good few weeks since I was at the barn but I didn't anticipate the battery death, sadly I didn't have a socket set handy to remove the lump of a thing. I have a good trickle charger to try and resurrect the battery once off. A new one is around 70 quid so that will have to wait a while It was looking a bit tidier on the bodywork mind. Jim Bell and Aston Martin 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purplebargeken Posted October 23, 2016 Author Share Posted October 23, 2016 I seem to recall an issue with a battery drain but this was cured with a bulb replacement I think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sporty-shite Posted October 23, 2016 Share Posted October 23, 2016 I seem to recall an issue with a battery drain but this was cured with a bulb replacement I think?There was a battery drain that Moog sorted. When I had it, it never got left more than a day or two, but had been standing for a good few months before I bought it. With that in mind, the battery might not be up to a long break in service. A good trickle charge may sort it, though. purplebargeken 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purplebargeken Posted October 23, 2016 Author Share Posted October 23, 2016 Yeah, has to be worth a try. Annoyed that I'd left my tools at home Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rod/b Posted October 23, 2016 Share Posted October 23, 2016 I had a 164 on which the battery died. It was located in the boot. However the only key I had for the car didn't work in the bootlid. The seats didn't fold down and, obviously, the boot release button on the dash didn't work either... Much swears occurred purplebargeken 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supernaut Posted October 23, 2016 Share Posted October 23, 2016 Ah, I did enjoy driving that Alfa gently* around Knockhill back in June... I got 17-Coffees using the imaginary brake pedal in the passenger footwell a few times, whereas Tickman was cool as the proverbial cucumber the whole time. However, it was bloody hanging back then, how bad is it now? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purplebargeken Posted October 23, 2016 Author Share Posted October 23, 2016 It is less hanging now. It will be even less hanging in a few months time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purplebargeken Posted October 23, 2016 Author Share Posted October 23, 2016 If I can de-dog the PBK Golf, this will be a valeting breeze in the park. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Moog Posted October 24, 2016 Share Posted October 24, 2016 The bulb fixed the drain and then I trickle charged the battery which brought it back to life. Never had an issue after that. Longest it went without being used was 2 weeks after which it was fine. Trying to remember whether I ended up putting a new battery in it (perhaps not). Will check just in case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purplebargeken Posted October 25, 2016 Author Share Posted October 25, 2016 I'm hoping to pop back either tomorrow or at the weekend to get the battery out. Might be worth checking the bulbs and connections just for the sheer hell of it. The charger I have is a good one, so fingers crossed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Moog Posted October 25, 2016 Share Posted October 25, 2016 Take a multimeter and check for drain. After I changed the bulb out (right rear brake light) it was happy as Larry. That said I did do mega Google about it and they seem to be prone to brake lights still glowing even with keys out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purplebargeken Posted October 27, 2016 Author Share Posted October 27, 2016 A multi-what? I possess no new fangled elektrickery stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tamworthbay Posted October 27, 2016 Share Posted October 27, 2016 A multi-what? I possess no new fangled elektrickery stuff.Stick your tongue on one terminal of the battery and a wet finger on the other. If you look like Leo Sayer it's charging ok. Pillock, The Moog, purplebargeken and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purplebargeken Posted October 27, 2016 Author Share Posted October 27, 2016 You've seen my hair haven't you. I'd need a lot more than what the car could pump out. Tamworthbay 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tamworthbay Posted October 27, 2016 Share Posted October 27, 2016 I think an Afro would suit you mate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purplebargeken Posted October 27, 2016 Author Share Posted October 27, 2016 You need more medication. Lots and lots. Tamworthbay 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tamworthbay Posted October 27, 2016 Share Posted October 27, 2016 You need more medication. Lots and lots. What do you think is making me imagine you as Leo Sayer! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purplebargeken Posted October 27, 2016 Author Share Posted October 27, 2016 You need less drugs, much, much less drugs! DeeJay and Tamworthbay 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Moog Posted October 27, 2016 Share Posted October 27, 2016 A multi-what? I possess no new fangled elektrickery stuff.Lick both fingers. Unplug negative battery terminal. Stick one wet finger on batter and one on battery terminal. Get your assistant to pull fuses. When your hair is less art garfunkel you have found the drain. No need to thank me Dirk Diggler and somewhatfoolish 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LC Torana Posted October 28, 2016 Share Posted October 28, 2016 If a multi-meter is too daunting, your weapon of choice is one of these: You can find one in a well-stocked pound shop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purplebargeken Posted October 28, 2016 Author Share Posted October 28, 2016 I think that would be a good option! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssDeeWon Posted October 28, 2016 Share Posted October 28, 2016 Ken, If you need me to pop up to The Barn in the 75 with its new heavy duty battery and some decent leads let me know, I am about on Sunday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purplebargeken Posted October 28, 2016 Author Share Posted October 28, 2016 You are on mate! What time? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssDeeWon Posted October 28, 2016 Share Posted October 28, 2016 Sunday morning, I should be up and about by 9 'ish so I could be up there before 10. PM me your number again as your number is on my old phone, I could meet you in that carpark again on the Ongar Rd? Then onto barn.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purplebargeken Posted October 28, 2016 Author Share Posted October 28, 2016 Perfect. I shall also bring sockets and spanners, contact cleaner and a glowy jabby electrical thingy as pictured above. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssDeeWon Posted October 30, 2016 Share Posted October 30, 2016 Just going to leave these pics here and let Ken provide the gory deets. In a nutshell we couldn't get the Alfa started this morning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tamworthbay Posted October 30, 2016 Share Posted October 30, 2016 Ouch, did it kill that meaty fuse? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
overrun Posted October 30, 2016 Share Posted October 30, 2016 RE veehicle lectrix, I heart my Power Probe II. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purplebargeken Posted October 30, 2016 Author Share Posted October 30, 2016 Cheers matey, There was nothing when I switched the ignition on, no lights or anything. I am guessing this fuse blew as a result of us using jump leads? I've used them for years without any issue. The battery is off now and will be trickle charged as a matter of course. I obviously need a new fuse!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purplebargeken Posted October 30, 2016 Author Share Posted October 30, 2016 Ther was also a small nut missing from the threaded post next to it as you can see in the picture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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