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MG MGF Technical - mgf battery problems

Do forgive me for posting such a mundane issue, but am at a bit of loss with one flat battery and apparently no way of getting things going in time for an urgent trip on Monday morning! I have just been surfing for help with MGF problems, and came across this site. So if anyone can help or let me know anyone that can, I'd be a very happy man!
My problem is simply this: I recently blew the head gasket on my MGF, and had this duly repaired, at obvious great expense. I drove the car back from the garage with no problems. However, when I went back to start the car a few days later, the battery was clearly very flat, barely being able to light up indicators on the dash, never mind start the engine. Just today, I got out the jump leads and my friend and I went through the normal routine, with which we're both happy. However, the battery appeared totally flat before we started (not even any faint internal lights, no response from key handest) and there was not even a flicker on my electrics after running his engine with the batteries connected.
So, I thought the battery must be completely dead, and not even salvagable with recharging (can this be true, or should you always be able to recharge a battery at least a small amount?). I then tried and failed to remove the battery, as access to the nut on the holding plate was tricky, and I only had an adjustable spanner. So (sorry this goes on!), I then popped off to Halfords, and bought a socket set with a long handle and a new car battery. But when I got back I found (to increasing frustration) that the standard socket sizes don't seem to fit the nut.
So - at last - my simple questions are these:
- Could the stangely failed battery be related to damage from overheating from the recent blown gsaket? (I made sure nothing had been left on to explain the drained battery)
- Does it make sense that I could get no life at all on the old battery, even with jump leads?
- Is the immobilisation a problem? -ie do I need some battery power to immobilse the car, which I can't do with a completely flat battery (but surely a battery connected to another with jump leads should allow things to work as normal?)
- Are the nuts and bolts used on an MGF annoyingly made different sizes so that I need a special spanner to remove them and so change the battery?
I know this is far too long, and probably won't reach anyone in time, but worth a go! Any help HUGELY appreciated!
All the best,
Jon
Jon

First - how old is the battery?

I have now had three batteries (including the original) since 1996 and have had no problems in removing them using a standard socket set although I can not remember the size!

If a battery is completely drained and it is 'getting on' in age then there is a good chance that you will not be able to recharge it sufficiently to be of any use - the modern motor car uses an awful lot of electicity and the MGF is no exception especially if you have the EPAS (electronic power assisted steering).

I do not see a connection with the head gasket problem other than the fact that the car may have been left standing without battery charging taking place.


And as a BTW the early cars came with a smaller battery if they had no EPAS - so make sure you have the correct one.

Ted
Ted Newman

Thanks for your help Ted. Bought car 3 years ago, unsure if battery was original. If it is, it's 6 years old. So yes, it could be time to get new battery, though I find it weird I couldn't even get the tiniest flicker with the jump leads. Could be dodgy jump leads, but they've worked before, and connections look OK. So frustrating not being able to remove the old battery! Standard socket set jumps from too small (3/8") to too big (7/16"). Ah well..
Jon
Jon

Hi Jon,
The socket size on my Year 2000 1.8 vvc is 10mm for the retaining plate bolt.
Did you inadvertanty buy a non-metric set? The F is metric for nut sizes.
Just replace the battery and try again.
Good luck
Chris
Chris Jones

Cheers Chris: I'm sure you're right. I did wonder that just after I'd written it. Didn't think of the old imperial v metric nightmare. Fat lot of use that new set of sockets from Halfords is then! Still puzzling over why battery went so totally flat and won't recharge even a tiny amount. Still, I'll change it and see...
Cheers,
Jon
Jon

How about corroded ground connection to the battery.

My 2 cents worth.

Johan
Johan Slagter

This thread was discussed between 26/06/2004 and 27/06/2004

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