Jazz Starting and immobiliser

[guest2928]

Hi all,

In the last few weeks my ten year old Jazz has had a green flashing key on the dashboard (probably only once a week). At the weekend the car wouldn't start after a 15 mile drive. Bumped started it and it appears to be behaving fine since. I've checked the battery and it is displaying "ok". Any ideas or previous experiences?

[guest255]

How old is the car battery?

If its 10 years I would replace it. I can still show 'ok' but need replacing.

[VicW]

You can have the battery capacity tested but you are at the mercy of a workshop/dealer who may con you into buying something you don't need, so use someone reputable.

The battery state indicator on the battery, I believe, only works on one cell so others may be duff.

If you use a reputable dealer they will probably use a 'keep alive' device as they change the battery so that you don't have to re-programme anything after the battery is reconnected.

Vic.

[trebor1652]

When I had my battery tested/replaced they showed me the test print out to prove that the battery needed replacing, so ask the question.

Sent from my XT1039 using Tapatalk

[guest5505]

batterys are not that expensive, if it is 10 years old I would just change it.

[culzean]

It is worth noting as VicW says that the battery condition indicator is only fitted to one cell,  any of the other 5 cells could have a problem and it would not show (shorted plates, low electrolyte etc. and condition indicator doesn't always show up sulphated cells) .  I never leave a a battery on a car more than 5 years, even the high quality 'silver' and calcium' plate batteries are not guaranteed more than 5 years.

Batteries are not an expensive item and work hard without maintenance,  Halfords batteries are pretty good and they normally have them on special -  I just replaced my Civic battery with a Yuasa 'silver' battery for £70 on special at Halfords - proper bargain. 

You need two cars or spare 12V battery -  I bought a couple of fused cigarette lighter plugs from local car shop (about £2.99 each) and a 20M reel of cheap speaker cable about £10 (2 core with a white line on one core) - just connect marked core up to centre pin on plug ( + ) and unmarked core to outer of plug ( -),  plug it into both cars and turn ignition key to 'aux' and you can happily disconnect bad battery and replace it without losing settings on radio etc.

[guest2928]

  Thank you all for your helpful replies. I'll take it across to a reputable garage tomorrow, as I suspect the battery may be ten years old!