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#1 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Brisbane, QLD
Posts: 715
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So Monday afternoon we were in the Kedron area, we had to take one of our pet rats to the vet and have him put down (yes, pet rats, dont start). So after that we were a little down. The car was parked at a friends place.
We got in the car to go home, tried to start it and: "Rr-Rr-Rr-ticktickticktick" Hmmm.. OK, turn radio and lights off, try again: "Rr-Rr-ticktick-Rr-tickticktick" Right, check the fluid levels in the battery. About level with the plate, so not too bad, but could use a top up. Got some distilled water from our friend, filled the cells and went inside for a cuppa. After waiting for a bit, went out and tried again..... with no success. Our friend said she might have some jumper leads somewhere. She found them and brought her commodore around. Hooked up the leads but within a minute, there was a burning smell. Before I could try and start my car, the wisps of smoke coming from the clips got my attention, tried to unhook them, but the leads melted off the clips. Closer inspection revealed the problem, 270Amp load limit... the fine copper core just melted. Hmmm no good. One of her neighbours offered to help, brought around his Hilux surf and his leads. Hooked it up and gave it a bit of a rev. Gave it a minute, and tried to start mine, but nothing. Just the futile tick of the solenoid. Then he said he'd hook it up to the dual battery setup. tried that, still nothing, just more futile ticking. So we gave up, by now it was about 7:30 at night. He was nice enough to offer me a lift to the Kmart in Toombul (which I wasnt aware was open till 9). Got a battery (for $145, ouch, just paid $90 in vet bills) and got back to the car. At which point I find that the battery, which was the only one vaguely suitable, was about an inch taller than the old one, with the terminals in a slightly different location. But by then I was too frustrated, I MADE it fit. The crowning moment, was when I turned the key and the car burst effortlessly into life. A sigh of relief. Drove back home to Wynnum, got some take away, which I enjoyed with a beer. I hate cars sometimes.
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05 BF XR6 ZF 6spd - Stock for now Previously: 98 AU Futura 4.0 - Wildcat Extractors, 200cpsi Stainless Cat, Custom 2.5" Mandrel Bent Exhaust, Tickford Snorkel, Fram 'Airhog' Panel Filter - Daily
79 P6 LTD Silver Monarch - Project |
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#2 | ||
Barra Turbo > V8
![]() ![]() Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 25,733
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Yeah ive been through that mate, but not to the extent of yours. Had mine go flat at the BP at Northlakes made a call to RACQ they arrived in 10 mins new battery ($150) and away i went
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-2011 XR6 Turbo Ute - Lux Pack - M6 -2022 Hyundai Tucson Highlander Diesel N Line |
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#3 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Brisbane, QLD
Posts: 715
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Yeah, next time, I wont let my RACQ membership lapse....
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05 BF XR6 ZF 6spd - Stock for now Previously: 98 AU Futura 4.0 - Wildcat Extractors, 200cpsi Stainless Cat, Custom 2.5" Mandrel Bent Exhaust, Tickford Snorkel, Fram 'Airhog' Panel Filter - Daily
79 P6 LTD Silver Monarch - Project |
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#4 | ||
Flairs - Truckers Delight
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Brisbane Northside Likes: Opposite Lock
Posts: 5,731
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yeah, RACQ membership is king. I remember one time i did a clutch in my old corolla, the fact that 10k towing was free saw the membership pay for itself.
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Current: Silhouette Black 2007 SY Ford Territory TX RWD 7-seater "Black Banger"
2006-2016: Regency Red 2000 AUII Ford Falcon Forte Automatic Sedan Tickford LPG "Millennium Falcon" |
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#5 | ||
Critical Thinker
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 20,324
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glad it was only the battery and nothing more serious.
Sometimes, I have felt like you did, but it all goes away once the car goes back to normal.
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"the greatest trick the devil pulled, is convincing the world he doesn't exist" 2022 Mazda CX5 GTSP Turbo 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Highlander 1967 XR FALCON 500 Cars previously owned: 2021 Subaru Outback Sport 2018 Subaru XV-S 2012 Subaru Forester X 2007 Subaru Liberty GT 2001 AU2 75th Anniversary Futura 2001 Subaru GX wagon 1991 EB XR8 1977 XC Fairmont 1990 EA S Pak 1984 XE S Pak 1982 ZJ Fairlane 1983 XE Fairmont 1989 EA Falcon 1984 Datsun Bluebird Wagon 1975 Honda Civic |
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#6 | ||
I see you....
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location:
Posts: 989
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Batteries a twice as expesive as they used to be because the price of lead has gone up so much since the beginning of the decade.
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#7 | ||
Irregular member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 3,941
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Sorry to hear about your pet, I have also had rats, mice and guinea pigs. Tamed rats are great, don't deserve the bad rep they have. I had a friend who trained his to do things on command.
I was out with the AU guys back in July and my battery gave in after several starts of no problem that day. I put it down to a short drive we did and the battery being almost dead, so it didn't get enough charge that time to see it through for the next start. Luckily they were able to jump me on the spot and I got a new battery the next week and it's all back to normal.
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2000 AU II FAIRLANE 75th ANNIVERSARY - big and shiny My hovercraft is full of eels! Movie Car Chase of the Week: Gene Hackman driving a 1971 Pontiac LeMans to chase an elevated train in The French Connection (1971). |
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#8 | ||
Barra Turbo > V8
![]() ![]() Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 25,733
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Lucky we love our AU's
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-2011 XR6 Turbo Ute - Lux Pack - M6 -2022 Hyundai Tucson Highlander Diesel N Line |
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#9 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Brisbane, QLD
Posts: 715
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Yeah I cop a lot for having rats sometimes. Jim, the little guy who had to be put to sleep, was nearly 4 years old. Which, for anyone who knows anything about rats, knows is a damn good run, considering 2 years is a generally accepted average lifespan. We've been able to train some of ours. One of them used to walk around on his hind legs.
As for the battery, I knew it needed replacing, but it had been performing perfectly for at least a week before hand, so I thought I'd hold off for a while.
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05 BF XR6 ZF 6spd - Stock for now Previously: 98 AU Futura 4.0 - Wildcat Extractors, 200cpsi Stainless Cat, Custom 2.5" Mandrel Bent Exhaust, Tickford Snorkel, Fram 'Airhog' Panel Filter - Daily
79 P6 LTD Silver Monarch - Project |
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#10 | |||
Afterburner + skids =
![]() Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Skidsville
Posts: 12,118
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Quote:
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Speed Kills. So buy an AU XR8 and live forever. Oo\===/oO |
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