Opening front lid with flat battery

[Upnorth]

Due to the bad weather here in the UK, I have not used my car ('03 GT3) for a few weeks, and inevitably the battery is flat. My fault entirely.

When I came to lift the front lid to attach the charger, I followed the instructions in the Drivers Manual (see attached scan), however it was not possible to stop the alarm horn sounding and neither did the lid switch work, I assume because the alarm horn had not been silenced.

Can anyone advise what may be going on, and offer a solution.

[fpb111]

Assuming that your car was locked and you had to open it with the key in the door lock. It wants to sound the alarm if you don't put the key into the ignition. Did you try putting the key in the ignition and turning it to "on"?

[Richard Hamilton]

Another Brit with this problem: http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?s...c=30938&hl=

Someone also suggested opening the rear lid with the emergency cable in the rear tail light (as it's easier to get to) and putting a jumper battery on the terminals in the engine bay, and then releasing the front lid. I've never tried it, so don't know if it works.

Edited January 17, 2010 by Richard Hamilton

[Upnorth]

Thanks for the responses and suggestions.

I tried the key in ignition On/Off, but no result. However what did work was pressing the key remote button that opens the front lid. The alarm stopped, the front lid popped and the alarm horn chirped (correct spelling?). The battery is now on charge.

Lesson learned - always read the manual but don't expect it to be totally correct, then ask the experts (Renntech) and together we get the answer.

Thanks again, and perhaps this answer will help other owners with the same problem.

:renntech:

[70Sixter]

You need to use a battery maintainer. Batteries hate the discharge-recharge cycle and will only do it a fixed number of times. Some versions prevent sulfation.