Won't Start - Battery Low/Flat

[anguswolfendale]

I have a 2001 4.4i Sport, fitted with the in-car phone (communications pack). Unfortunately due to lack of employment, the car is standing on the drive for weeks at a time. I tried to start it today and the starter simply "clicked", the interior lights dimmed but it wouldn't start. I put a charger on the batteries and noted the voltage was only 10.5volts.

I had looked in the TIS and found that there was a known fault with this model and the Siemens in-car phone with cordless DECT handset. Apparently the phone keeps sending a signal on the TelOn line at regular intervals which prevents the radio from going into sleep mode. The continual draw on the battery as a result is 1.2A - enough to flatten the battery over time.

This was a warranty issue at the time but unfortunately is no longer covered after 36months from manufacture. However, the resolution is the fitting of an adapter lead: 61.12.6.916.759 between the plug that goes into the phone module and the module itself (in the side hatch in the boot area).

Defect Code is 84.11.94.20.00 - but this is not shown in teh official defect code catalogue.