04 Cab Has Dead Battery Issues

[Douge]

I have an 04 Cab that has been a little neglected, it only has 8K miles and the battery is dead. I can start the car but my radio is tweaked, assuming I need a code but also the top will not cycle? Not sure what that is about but would love some direction if anyone has an idea.

The PO does not know if he EVER changed the oil, besides that, what other refreshes would you consider? Top off fuel, add any conditioner? I think just putting some miles on it would be an improvement.

TIA

Doug

[therock88]

I have an 04 Cab that has been a little neglected, it only has 8K miles and the battery is dead. I can start the car but my radio is tweaked, assuming I need a code but also the top will not cycle? Not sure what that is about but would love some direction if anyone has an idea.

The PO does not know if he EVER changed the oil, besides that, what other refreshes would you consider? Top off fuel, add any conditioner? I think just putting some miles on it would be an improvement.

TIA

Doug

I would consider the following items as a good start. Just my opinion if I bought it. I am sure some experts here will have other thoughts, so take it for what it is worth.

Batteries cause all sorts of crazy issues, and if you are not going to drive it regularly you absolutely need a battery maintainer (get the kind that cycles on and off). I would

get a fresh battery to start and would consider changing/checking the following just due to time more than mileage:

Change oil/filter 0W/40 Synthetic

Change Serpentine Belt (sitting a lot for 6 years...may dry out)

Change air filter and cabin/pollen filter

Flush Brake fluid completely and replace with new (should occur every two years)

Check tires for dry rot/cracking before you get any high speeds

Run some injector cleaner and a full tank of premium gas through it (drive it)

From there an overall thorough inspection and just watch for any odd behaviors and you should be golden....And a good thorough washing and cleaning will usually uncover

lots of otherwise missed potential issues/damage/etc.

That should be a good start anyway.....

DC

[Bostonduce]

You have a nice low mileage car, no need to worry about lack of maintenance at 8K--80k would be a different story. I bet you still have the flippin cosmoline on the engine.

The top instructions start on page 140 of the Carrera manual. You can download it on this site if you don't have it. (thanks Loren!!)

As DC said, do all the scheduled maintenance so you have a base point forward. Make sure you check for dry rot cracks in tire sidewalls when they are under load (with car on ground), and both inner and outer sidewalls.

There is an unofficial 6 year life for tires-can they be used after 6 years? Sure. Can you get an inspection? So far, at least in Mass, big bro hasn't found that pocket to reach into. Would I feel comfortable at 125MPH? Probably not. You make your own call.

Check for coolant leaks at the front radiators, and reservoir. Check for oil leaks seeping from upper engine area and dripping down the block. Check for debris clogging front radiators.

My recommendation for a battery charger/maintainer is the CTEK 7002-I've used it to recondition what I thought were un-chargeable batteries and it brought them back to life. (check battery acid level before charging)

Before you drive it on the original tank, get some Marine Sta-Bil (the green stuff) and put about 4 ounces in the full tank. If you plan on keeping it ultra low mileage- keep up the Sta-Bil treatment. You probably don't need injector cleaner at 8K- and most recommend an oil change after a treatment, so you may pollute your new oil change.

Make sure your power windows have the open door pull down working or you will mess up your top's window seals. If you lost power you will have to re-initialize the power windows to get that feature back.

Finally, if you're up to it take off the intake side hose off the intercooler and check for oil. Any oil in there is a sign that it's getting by the turbo seals. No need to panic, but it's probably going to get worse until the turbo bearings fail. Try to avoid shutting the engine down without letting it idle about 2min to get some of the heat out of the turbo's.

BD

[70Sixter]

I have an 04 Cab that has been a little neglected, it only has 8K miles and the battery is dead. I can start the car but my radio is tweaked, assuming I need a code but also the top will not cycle? Not sure what that is about but would love some direction if anyone has an idea.

The PO does not know if he EVER changed the oil, besides that, what other refreshes would you consider? Top off fuel, add any conditioner? I think just putting some miles on it would be an improvement.

TIA

Doug

I would consider the following items as a good start. Just my opinion if I bought it. I am sure some experts here will have other thoughts, so take it for what it is worth.

Batteries cause all sorts of crazy issues, and if you are not going to drive it regularly you absolutely need a battery maintainer (get the kind that cycles on and off). I would

get a fresh battery to start and would consider changing/checking the following just due to time more than mileage:

Change oil/filter 0W/40 Synthetic

Change Serpentine Belt (sitting a lot for 6 years...may dry out)

Change air filter and cabin/pollen filter

Flush Brake fluid completely and replace with new (should occur every two years)

Check tires for dry rot/cracking before you get any high speeds

Run some injector cleaner and a full tank of premium gas through it (drive it)

From there an overall thorough inspection and just watch for any odd behaviors and you should be golden....And a good thorough washing and cleaning will usually uncover

lots of otherwise missed potential issues/damage/etc.

That should be a good start anyway.....

DC

[70Sixter]

I have an 04 Cab that has been a little neglected, it only has 8K miles and the battery is dead. I can start the car but my radio is tweaked, assuming I need a code but also the top will not cycle? Not sure what that is about but would love some direction if anyone has an idea.

The PO does not know if he EVER changed the oil, besides that, what other refreshes would you consider? Top off fuel, add any conditioner? I think just putting some miles on it would be an improvement.

TIA

Doug

I would consider the following items as a good start. Just my opinion if I bought it. I am sure some experts here will have other thoughts, so take it for what it is worth.

Batteries cause all sorts of crazy issues, and if you are not going to drive it regularly you absolutely need a battery maintainer (get the kind that cycles on and off). I would

get a fresh battery to start and would consider changing/checking the following just due to time more than mileage:

Change oil/filter 0W/40 Synthetic

Change Serpentine Belt (sitting a lot for 6 years...may dry out)

Change air filter and cabin/pollen filter

Flush Brake fluid completely and replace with new (should occur every two years)

Check tires for dry rot/cracking before you get any high speeds

Run some injector cleaner and a full tank of premium gas through it (drive it)

From there an overall thorough inspection and just watch for any odd behaviors and you should be golden....And a good thorough washing and cleaning will usually uncover

lots of otherwise missed potential issues/damage/etc.

That should be a good start anyway.....

DC

Agree except I'd go 5W-40. And tires also die after about six years. Also plugs should prolly be changed. And battery maintainer is good rec for any car not driven daily.

Edited April 3, 2010 by 70Sixter