Car is now dead

[omracing]

My car has sat on the drive for over a couple of weeks and now when I try to start the car absolutely nothing, no ignition lights, no noise, no nothing !! completely dead.

I'm assuming its the battery, the only thing I can think of was that the clock was staying on when the ignition was switched off.
Is this a normal problem with the MR2 ?

[Zirax]

Given the weather we've had the cold could have just killed the battery. If you have a charger just put the battery on charge overnight. Otherwise, give it a jump and a run around the block for 20-30 mins. Then see if the battery is still toast.

[Kateg28]

Mine sat on my drive for 4 weeks completely exposed to the elements and started first time without even thinking about it .

I did have a new battery in the spring though. I admit I was expecting some trouble, it is nearly 20 years old so was very pleasantly suprised when it roared into life quite happily. It seemed to have not suffered at all from the wait in all weathers and had a lovely day in it yesterday.

I did have to dry the interior out but new seals soon so that should be sorted too.

[Tony jinxy froude]

Mine sat on my drive for 4 weeks completely exposed to the elements and started first time without even thinking about it .

I did have a new battery in the spring though. I admit I was expecting some trouble, it is nearly 20 years old so was very pleasantly suprised when it roared into life quite happily. It seemed to have not suffered at all from the wait in all weathers and had a lovely day in it yesterday.

I did have to dry the interior out but new seals soon so that should be sorted too.

We have better weather in Herts too dont we Kate < jinx

[Kateg28]

Doesn't feel like it right now. I will be very pleased to get those new seals, had it washed yesterday and sat there watching the water dripping, nay cascading, through the seals.

And someone has scratched my car!!!!!!!!! It wasn't there in the morning but was there in the afternoon, could have been the washers but cannot prove it. Deep too, won't polish out, will need to touch it up and spray it. GRRR

[Tony jinxy froude]

Oooopps i can feel a bad week coming on seals will be here soon for you then the fun begins , Jinx

[Tiny]

Out of interest how much are new seals for the mk1?

Kate Do you want me to try with some of my new toys to get out the scratch may not remove it completely but will make it alot better than by hand.

[Kateg28]

Oooopps i can feel a bad week coming on seals will be here soon for you then the fun begins , Jinx

Estimated delivery was 2-3 weeks from 4th December but Christmas post might delay it a bit. Then I have to get them fitted.

Tiny, they cost me about USD204 including postage so approx £150. The website was kbox.ca, Jnixy very kindly gave me details. I will PM you the link

As for your toy...., apart from the obvious fun comments, I am intrigued. Do I sense a day out for you in Herts where I supply some food and beers (as well as costs) for Jinxy and you (and anyone else who wants to join the party) and we fit some seals and see what we can do about the bodywork?

[Tony jinxy froude]

Ah did you mention food Tiny's on a diet, so i'll have his portion yeah seems like a grand idea, not sure about the bodywork at this time of year, but seals are a definate , Jinx

[Kateg28]

Feel like I hijacked this thread so started a new one on my seals and then we can concentrate on sorting out omracing's possible problem on this one.

Will have to wait until they post an update to see if it is a battery problem

[omracing]

Feel like I hijacked this thread so started a new one on my seals and then we can concentrate on sorting out omracing's possible problem on this one.

Will have to wait until they post an update to see if it is a battery problem

Don't worry, you obviously bought the seals from Jody in Canada.

I meet up with Jody and his MR2 buddies every year when I'm over there. Nice bunch of lads. I always seem to be swapping amber side lights for clear ones when I'm over there, they love the UK spec ones.

I'm currently recovering from an op, so I've not had the chance to put the battery on charge yet, but my main question was should the clock stay on when the ignition is turned off ??

[Kateg28]

I did indeed purchase them from Jody. Fair prices and fantastic service, also arrived today, 2 weeks from Canada!! Would definitely recommend them.

My clock is off when ignition is off. Does that help at all?

[Jaspa]

should the clock stay on when the ignition is turned off ??

No. Should go blank, At least it does on my 1a.

[jimi]

It definitely should go off.
It does still draw some current (milliamps) even when off for the memory circuit which keeps the clock at the correct time.
If it's staying on then there is something wrong. It's possible that if someone has joined both supplies to the stereo unit together then it could be back feeding the clock (among other things) I've seen this before.
The head unit should have 2 separate 12v supplies
Grey wire (I'm assuming its a 1b) should have +12v controlled by the ignition switch and is fed from the 15A Radio/CIG fuse
Blue/yellow wire should have a constant +12v from the 15A Haz/Radio fuse
It could also be a faulty ignition switch that is keeping it on.
With any of these faults it wouldn't take that long ( a week or so ) in this weather to completely flatten the battery.
HTH
Jimi

[Mk1 Turbo Powered Steve]

Oooopps i can feel a bad week coming on seals will be here soon for you then the fun begins , Jinx

Estimated delivery was 2-3 weeks from 4th December but Christmas post might delay it a bit. Then I have to get them fitted.

Tiny, they cost me about USD204 including postage so approx £150. The website was kbox.ca, Jnixy very kindly gave me details. I will PM you the link

As for your toy...., apart from the obvious fun comments, I am intrigued. Do I sense a day out for you in Herts where I supply some food and beers (as well as costs) for Jinxy and you (and anyone else who wants to join the party) and we fit some seals and see what we can do about the bodywork?

I might join in too, i might be able to help a bit, all depends if i can find where you live as Jinxy knows even with sat nav i get lost
You will need loads of burgers for the Jinx, him and food go together even more than Mk1's

[omracing]

It definitely should go off.
It does still draw some current (milliamps) even when off for the memory circuit which keeps the clock at the correct time.
If it's staying on then there is something wrong. It's possible that if someone has joined both supplies to the stereo unit together then it could be back feeding the clock (among other things) I've seen this before.
The head unit should have 2 separate 12v supplies
Grey wire (I'm assuming its a 1b) should have +12v controlled by the ignition switch and is fed from the 15A Radio/CIG fuse
Blue/yellow wire should have a constant +12v from the 15A Haz/Radio fuse
It could also be a faulty ignition switch that is keeping it on.
With any of these faults it wouldn't take that long ( a week or so ) in this weather to completely flatten the battery.
HTH
Jimi

Thanks for all your responses, I did manage to charge the battery today and the car started first time, so at least I know the battery is good.

I've disconnected the clock for the moment, until I get a chance to check as per Jimi's post. I know my other MR2 also suffered the same problem, but that was after I wired in a new stereo Yes I pitched the live from the clock

[greglebon]

It could also be a faulty ignition switch that is keeping it on.
Jimi

Yeh, I had this on my NA a few years back: was my first Mk1 so I was learning the ropes....

The cause of mine was a very worn ignition key / barrel...!
Basically, when I turned the engine off I could just pull the key out.
It should be locked in while the ignition is turned to position 1, requiring you to press the button on the barrel in order to turn the ignition to the fully off position, IYSWIM?

Basically, mine was always in position 1, and the LED clock was always on....

Result: flat battery every week or so...current draw, around 100mA...!
G.

[omracing]

It could also be a faulty ignition switch that is keeping it on.
Jimi

Yeh, I had this on my NA a few years back: was my first Mk1 so I was learning the ropes....

The cause of mine was a very worn ignition key / barrel...!
Basically, when I turned the engine off I could just pull the key out.
It should be locked in while the ignition is turned to position 1, requiring you to press the button on the barrel in order to turn the ignition to the fully off position, IYSWIM?

Basically, mine was always in position 1, and the LED clock was always on....

Result: flat battery every week or so...current draw, around 100mA...!
G.

Thanks I missed that part of Jimi's response. Thats it I never have to press the button to release the key

[Kateg28]

Oooopps i can feel a bad week coming on seals will be here soon for you then the fun begins , Jinx

Estimated delivery was 2-3 weeks from 4th December but Christmas post might delay it a bit. Then I have to get them fitted.

Tiny, they cost me about USD204 including postage so approx £150. The website was kbox.ca, Jnixy very kindly gave me details. I will PM you the link

As for your toy...., apart from the obvious fun comments, I am intrigued. Do I sense a day out for you in Herts where I supply some food and beers (as well as costs) for Jinxy and you (and anyone else who wants to join the party) and we fit some seals and see what we can do about the bodywork?

I might join in too, i might be able to help a bit, all depends if i can find where you live as Jinxy knows even with sat nav i get lost
You will need loads of burgers for the Jinx, him and food go together even more than Mk1's

Ok sounds like a plan but.. Sat Nav won't find where I live, it is 2/4 mile from nearest tarmac. I will try and find a date and need to save up for the food.

[Tiny]

Ah did you mention food Tiny's on a diet, so i'll have his portion

Cheeky Git!

dont worry about money a cold bottle of bud and a slice of pizza will keep me happy.