Hi - I have just finished todays job, which was replacement of rear hub bushes, when I went to start the car to test drive, it appeared the battery was flat (screen worked, lights came on, but when I pressed the ignition button it didnt fire up). I assume that the battery was drained as I left the door open for a long time so I attached my battery charger (whilst the battery was still connected to the car) and when I connected it to the mains the fuse on the battery charger popped and the negative lead of the battery charger melted! Can anyone shed any light on why this happened - is it because I should have diconnected the battery from the car first? It is a 2012 4.4 tdv8.

Also, am i likely to have damaged anything on the car?

Thanks Tom

what make and model battery charger was it ?

Charging whilst the battery is still connected to the car is fine providing you make absolutely sure to connect the leads the right way round.
Mike. G reg 2.5VM Vogue Portofino red 1991- 1999
V reg 2.5td P38 Rioja red 1999- 2006
53 reg td6 Vogue Oslo blue 2006- 2015
11 reg 4.4 TdV8 Vogue SE. Baltic blue 2015- date.
https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic56162...tty+affair

Hi

The leads were the correct way round. The charger was a streetwise SWB CG12. The battery that was fitted was a non AGM battery (was on the car when I bought it).

I've checked all fuses and they are ok and Ive removed the old battery and checked the connections / terminals which were all needed a clean.

There was some water in the battery tray / on the battery (couldnt see it last night as it was dark) so I wonder if there was water ingress that caused a short. I had also left the bonnet unlatched for a few days so the slight incline may have caused the water to enter the battery compartment.

The car was completely dead this morning, except for a clicking noise from the starter relay and clicking from the glow plug modules - which stopped when I pulled the relay.

I have borrowed a charger and it isnt charging the old battery so I am hoping it was just expired.

Ive ordered a Bosch s5 AGM battery (good price from a seller on ebay £160) so I am hoping that will solve the problem.

Tom