My 328 died. I didn't use it much due to winter time and the battery went flat. Should I just disconnect the battery, since I'm not going to use it for the next few months ? is it just about removing the two cables ? Or just the red one should suffice (ie keep the ground connected) ? Sorry if it's a stupid question... Thanks.
I would disconnect the ground quick disconnect or take it out of the car and put it on the automatic battery tender. The battery should be fully charged by the time you're ready to install it
There is a cable connector on the ground side to disconnect the battery from the car for long term storage. Use that. THen connect a battery charger to the battery for a couple days.
Thanks for the tip. I connected the CTEK charger to the battery using the eye hook connectors. When I power on the charger, though, it lits for a while but then it turns off after 30 seconds or so. Does that mean the battery is fried ? I think not somehow because I changed it last year and everything was fine until I left the car in the garage for like three weeks without driving it... Am I missing something obvious ? Thanks.
Has your car got an alarm on it (or a tracker?) Either one will drain the main battery & in turn , if you don't have them connected to a battery its possible you will flatten/damage the internal/backup batteries in those.
Two possibilities: 1. The battery is so dead that it demands a very high current and the trickle charger cannot deliver it so it shuts off. 2. Your connections are reverse.
I vote for # 1. You'll often need a "proper" charger if the battery charge has gone way low. If/when it comes up to a good charge then go back to the trickle charger. (I think there's an LED on the trickle charger that will tell you if the polarity is reversed). What yelcab wrote.
OK, it may be 1, because the charger has a warning led to alert the connections are reversed. Tomorrow I will try with a jump starter...hope that will work !?!
If you do NOT need to use the car immediately then get a "normal" battery charger (not a trickle charger) and then charge at the LOWEST setting (lowest current). The faster you charge any battery the more you reduce its overall life. I would not try a jump start. Take the battery out of the car. Check the water level (if it is possible), clean the battery of dirt or grease and put it on a real charger. A jump start should never be done on any car unless you are in a difficult situation without other options. This is especially true with the more modern cars. Your car is not "modern" but I would not do it. FINALLY: drink a Felsenau Bärni and be happy and grateful you live in such a beautiful place.
Once a lead/acid battery has been discharged completely, it should be replaced. So get a new battery, and a disconnect like this one: BATTERY MASTER DISCONNECT TOP POST CUT OFF SWITCH | eBay Then run the car (or at least start the motor) once a week. Charge the battery once a month. Disconnect the battery when you are charging, and when the car is not in use. Letting the car sit unused will generate all sorts of problems.
I wouldn't jump it either. As above, a CTek type charger will not charge a flat battery, you need a standard battery charger.
The Euro-cars too? Anyway. I find the listed cut-off switch not suitable for the 308/328 cars because of access to the battery. I have installed this near the spare tire compartment, easily accessible after opening the hood, with a self made bracket: https://goo.gl/images/tnnsla Best Regards Martin
Might be okay if the owner is willing to leave the spare tire out of the car for the winter otherwise not so good if you're going to remove it once a month. That sucker is heavy and you're in a compromised lifting position. You risk back injury, dropping it on a fender, leaning up against your paintwork unnecessarily etc. I've used the quick disconnect you refer to on other cars where it's easy to get to the battery. Worked fine. On the 328 I've always used the factory quick disconnect and never had a problem. It was made for the purpose and owners should stay familiar with its existence and location in the event of an un-fused short/electrical fire. In the event of an emergency, and possibly being in a panic mode, they should not be trying to get to a quick disconnect on the battery because they forgot about the factory disconnect.
That is certainly what I would use if I did not have the 328 disconnect plug. https://goo.gl/images/tnnsla
It just comes to my mind, that there's even a better version of this cut-off switch I showed avove. One, where the red key has an 'umbrella' to prevent moisture from rain or car wash from getting into the switch https://goo.gl/images/aVrj0e I was not aware of this, when I bought and installed mine. So I fitted a 'custom-made' umbrella using the rubber of an old track rod end Works perfectly. I need this, since I installed it outside the spare tire bucket and it can get a few drops through the fender vents in heavy rain or while washing. Best Martin
auch schoen but I would want to keep the key in the switch in case of an emergency. Then you do not have to look for it or remember where you put it.
I've never seen such nonsense over a dead battery. Just charge the battery and see how it goes from there. It will either be fine or it won't hold the charge. As for the OEM disconnect, that's what it's there for. Use it to disconnect the battery when the car will not be used for a couple of weeks or more. I don't drive my 308 that much any more and I use the disconnect after every drive. Been doing so for over 30 years.
Yes of course. My key is always in the switch. But the first version I showed isn't waterproof. Not even with the key inserted. With my rubber 'umbrella' on the key it is. But only with the key inserted. The second version I showed even has a cover for making this thing waterproof without key. Best Martin
I unplug the quick release negative earth socket after each drive and plug the battey into a battery maintaniner. I have a quck connect permanently connected to the battery terminals and run the extension up through the batter compartment lid then through one of the spokes in the spare tyre. So very easy this was, just open hood and plug straight in and disconnect the earth.
Fine as long as you don't have an alarm or a tracker with its own backup battery that is charged from the cars electrical system.
