Jump start dead battery and suitable replacement

by **robmx5** » Sun, 28 Nov 2010 8:09 +0000

Folks,

Need to try and jumpm start my car but can't tell which is the positive and which is the negative - any ideas ?

Also battery has a third cable coming out of it and into the bodywork - I'm assuming this is some sort of earth - any ideas ? Is this required for a new battery ?

Finally, any recommendations for a new battery - priced one in Halfords with 5 year guarantee for €107 yoyos - anybody have one of these and knwo if they fit properly ?

Thanks

Spideog

by **graham** » Sun, 28 Nov 2010 10:49 +0000

The terminal that is closest to the body of the car is the negative, ie the one on the right hand side as you look into the boot.

Be careful what battery you buy, you need to get a sealed battery.

Get this one: http://www.mx5parts.co.uk/product_info. ... cts_id/635

g

by **robmx5** » Sun, 28 Nov 2010 10:54 +0000

Cheers Graham - I assume thats the terminal towards the back of the car and the positive is towards the front so.

Does if have to be a sealed one, or is a sealed one just better.

Thanks

Spideog

by **barney** » Sun, 28 Nov 2010 10:55 +0000

the third ''cable'' wouldn't be the vent pipe from the battery that goes through the floor?

by **graham** » Sun, 28 Nov 2010 11:21 +0000

It has to be a sealed battery! Unless you want corrosion in the boot.

Your battery might be in a slightly different position as my one, but it should be be obvious, the battery should be labelled anyway, The negative terminal will probably be connected to the body, so it should be easy to spot. send in a photo and we'll be able to confirm which one it is.

g

by **mx5ash** » Mon, 29 Nov 2010 10:51 +0000

Is the battery in the boot on mk2s?

by **robmx5** » Mon, 29 Nov 2010 8:05 +0000

Yes, battery is in boot but is sitting lengthways, front to back - will try to get a photo up

Spideog

by **robmx5** » Mon, 29 Nov 2010 8:20 +0000

Here it is lying front to back

Thanks

spideog

by **graham** » Mon, 29 Nov 2010 11:11 +0000

I would assume it the one on the left with the plastic cover on it. I'm sure someone else will be able to confirm.

g

by **sidewaysreilly** » Tue, 30 Nov 2010 2:03 +0000

get a multimeter off someone to verify voltage......there will be some albeit very little........then swap from one pole to a good earth . This will show the positive pole.or try a continuity check with a good earth in the boot. You will have continuity with the negative terminal to the body. Are the poles the same diameter??? The earth(minus) is always/usually smaller.

by **Steve** » Tue, 30 Nov 2010 2:57 +0000

there should be a + and a - on the plastic of the battery beside each terminal too.

by **sspecdave** » Tue, 30 Nov 2010 6:12 +0000

Rob
Checked my battery in the mk2 and the one with with gray plastic cover is indeed the positive . I changed sealed battery a while back and fitted a standard EXIDE EXCELL EB 442 (44AH 420A 12VOLT) bought in a local autofactors .
Hope this helps
Dave

by **robmx5** » Tue, 30 Nov 2010 8:36 +0000

Fair play lads - again

Thanks

Spideog

by **Reesy** » Sat, 11 Dec 2010 7:18 +0000

The gel battery on the '5 was dead so I jumped off wifey's golf. After half an hour of idling it was still hardly charged at all, so i reckon the battery's gone. it's only two and a half years old... and a 2 year warranty.

Anyone know a cheaper place to get a gel battery than MX5parts?

by **johnv** » Sun, 12 Dec 2010 6:16 +0000

im going to talk to a guy tomorrow about a gel battery will let you know