Z4M 56 plate - Battery dead

[Cheshire]

Hi,

Just looking for a little help/advise/clarification having reviewed some of the advise on various forums...

20 months ago I put my Z4M in my garage and bought myself a Ford Focus having recently become a Grandma. The intention was to run both cars but somehow it just didn't happen - 20 months down the line and I just can't get the Z4M to turn over. I've recharged the battery and also tried to jump start the car - but without success. There does seem to be some life in the old girl (dashboard lights up, radio etc.) but the engine just doesn't turn over - one click and nothing.

I did leave the charger on for 24 hours +.
Also when trying to jump start, I left the car 'donor' car connected for 20 minutes +.

The dashboard does have the battery highlighted in red which suggests it is the battery but I'm at a loss - I've seen talk about the problem could be the starter motor or could be some security feature....

Any advise would be appreciate -

Regards,
Cheshire

 

[Cooper]

Hi, not sure if something in wrong with the car but for best jump start results do the following:
1. connect positive to positive on the batteries
2. connect negative terminal for the donor car to the negative on the donor battery
3. connect the negative terminal for the Zed to the engine lifting mount or other strong piece of engine metal [not the battery]
4. keep the donor car revved by someone else
5. try and start the zed.

After 20 months I would have drained the tank and put fresh fuel in as well

Good luck.

 

[Cheshire]

Hi,

I have already tried the steps you provided above apart from 'step 4 - getting someone else to keep the donor car revved'. I'll give that a go. Thanks for taking the time to reply!

Yes, feel rather foolish that I've left it for 20 months without taking additional considerations.

Cheers

 

[Aceman]

Firstly I think you need to replace that battery. Lead acid batteries do not like being deep discharged and if you have left it so long it will have been totally discharged down to zero volts which I am afraid will have resulted in the battery not being able to be recovered no matter how much you try to charge it jump start.

Get the battery replaced and start from their.

 

[Cooper]

As a service to you and the community I would have been more than happy to assist by driving the Z4M around if I was living in your area - for free! Have a good day and I hope you get it sorted.

 

[Cheshire]

So kind

 

[Aceman]

Where are my manners !

Welcome to the forum @Cheshire I do hope you manage to get your Z4M back up and running as they are a great drivers car.

 

[hard top]

@Cheshire welcome from me too.

 

[t-tony]

Hi there and welcome from here near Lincoln. Hope you are soon mobile again enjoying your Z.

Tony.

 

[jonco]

from a part of Cheshire.
Agree with Aceman, if it has stood idle for that long then battery is probably beyond rescusitation. If you can borrow a suitable battery then that could be used to prove it. If it does fire, take it very gently to start with after that length of inaction.
Good Luck

 

[Cheshire]

Hi Guys,

Much appreciate your good wishes -

Yes, I have loved driving the Z4M but I agree you have to learn to drive a Z4M. In my youth I have driven Lotus Elan's (big valve twin cam), 7's etc.

I really appreciate your guidance and good wishes - I'm going to have another attempt tomorrow at recharging/jumping. l'll let you know how I get on. Plan 'B' will be a new battery which I will need any way but don't fancy fitting one in my rather small garage - I will struggle if it comes to fitting a starter motor. Actually that's a fib - I wont have a clue!

Thanks again

 

[oldcarman]

Welcome Cheshire! It seems once again a new member has lead off with a question before an introduction. I hope you enjoy the forum and get your car back on the road quickly! JIM in Canada!!

 

[Cheshire]

Sorry Jim of Canada,

Wasn't sure of the protocol and had thought that my brief summary of my background may have been more than enough for some people.

I apologise for any offence

 

[t-tony]

I'm sure Jim took no offence at all, after all until you "find" us how could you know what the protocol would be. You can go to the Introduce Yourself section and do just that. You may upload some pictures of you car if you like, something that's always appreciated by the members. Anyway for the 2nd time, Welcome.

Tony.

 

[hard top]

Sorry Jim of Canada,
I apologise for any offence

No offence taken by anyone @Cheshire its just that Jim gets snowed in a lot and likes photos to look at.

 

[FRANKIE]

Hi,

Just looking for a little help/advise/clarification having reviewed some of the advise on various forums...

20 months ago I put my Z4M in my garage and bought myself a Ford Focus having recently become a Grandma. The intention was to run both cars but somehow it just didn't happen - 20 months down the line and I just can't get the Z4M to turn over. I've recharged the battery and also tried to jump start the car - but without success. There does seem to be some life in the old girl (dashboard lights up, radio etc.) but the engine just doesn't turn over - one click and nothing.

I did leave the charger on for 24 hours +.
Also when trying to jump start, I left the car 'donor' car connected for 20 minutes +.

The dashboard does have the battery highlighted in red which suggests it is the battery but I'm at a loss - I've seen talk about the problem could be the starter motor or could be some security feature....

Any advise would be appreciate -

Regards,
Cheshire

Welcome to the forum from the other side of the Pond. Glad you came to us for advice. Absolutely NO ONE was offended by your protocal. Unfortunately, I am afraid Aceman was right. You will need a new battery. As was already said, when they get that run down, its too late to recharge, and they won't even accept jumping from another car. You'll find out that it will respond to a new battery very well. Don't waste your time doing anything else, do this first. Normally, we would like you to try another battery, if possible, but there is a very high degree of certainty it is your old battery causing the problem. Frankie

 

[oldcarman]

Hi Cheshire, sorry if I gave the impression I was offended. Far from it, I'm glad to have you with us and asking for assistance from the knowledge that members possess. I have been bringing forth a suggestion that new members be advised to use the intro route prior to asking questions simply because we don't get to properly welcome you and many newcomers are denied that if they go straight to questions whereas if the intro thread comes first we have an idea of who you are which can get lost in the query posts. I personally enjoy meeting newbies and feel bad if I miss someone coming on board. You'll find that it's pretty hard to offend anyone here as we're all here for a good time and enjoy one another as much as the cars. Again, sorry if I made you feel you weren't welcome. JIM

 

[Rev]

Hi Cheshire,

I also own a Z4M and my battery died this year. It is a car that needs a lot of amps to start and so the battery is a key component.

If it isn't charging then it'll need a replace. I got mine going again, but it died soon after. Luckily whilst at home. Even though I was running it the day before, I turned the key and... nothing.

So I would suggest the investment is mandatory.

Enjoying your car means a journey is always completed both there and back! It's a bad day when it isn't.

Have fun.