Battery died...charged it..now radio doesn't turn on

[feo]

The title pretty much says it all.

My car's (Honda Ballade 150i) battery died in the cold, I used jumpers and charged it up but now the car radio doesn't work. It's one of those built in Decker ones (kinda similar to this). The antihijack light just keeps blinking, pressing the power button has no effect.

The cars battery has died on me before and previously all I did was press the power button and input the security code to get it working again.

Any ideas before taking it in to Honda?

 

[Mars]

Uh oh...

You say you used jumpers... That sounds like you left the battery connected while you charged it? Chargers output an inconsistent voltage that's ok for charging but bad for electronic stuff.

Alternatively if your car just died it might be your alternator that's gone. That could also cause a couple of problems.

Two possibilities:
1. you blew the radio
2. you blew a couple of fuses

Check the fuses first.

In future, rather take your battery to a Battery Centre. Most will be able to loan you a battery while they charge yours. (yes that's a punt)

 

[feo]

Uh oh...

You say you used jumpers... That sounds like you left the battery connected while you charged it? Chargers output an inconsistent voltage that's ok for charging but bad for electronic stuff.

Alternatively if your car just died it might be your alternator that's gone. That could also cause a couple of problems.

Two possibilities:
1. you blew the radio
2. you blew a couple of fuses

Check the fuses first.

In future, rather take your battery to a Battery Centre. Most will be able to loan you a battery while they charge yours. (yes that's a punt)

Yep, battery was still connected while I charged it, I thought that was how it's supposed to be done.

Well the battery gives problems a lot but I think it's a new battery in there now so your theory about the alternator might be right. How much does a new alternator cost?

Well, the light on the radio (the anti-hijack light) is still flashing like normal so the it's not completely dead.

I have no clue how to check fuses, mind giving me a crash course?

 

[ToxicBunny]

Open the "users manual".. it'll tell you where they are in the car...
look at them and check that none are blown...

If they aren't.. then my next suggestion would be to unhook the battery for 10 mins.. reconnect and see what that does.

 

[Mars]

Well, there are a couple of places to check the fuses.
Usually down on near the bonnet hitch there is usually a little cover you take off, there are a whole lot of fuses. Check them first. Then under the bonnet there is usually another fuse box, (could be anywhere) check that second.

Re the alternator, usually its just a regulator (easy) or a rectifier (not so easy). If you have a multimeter you can check your alternator yourself, but only with a fully charged battery. Put the multimeter on dc and put it on the terminals of the battery, it should read at least 12.6v with the car off . When you start your car that should go up to about 14.2v not more than 14.5v. Then switch on the lights, it should not drop below 13.8. If it goes lower than 13.8 or higher 14.5 then you should have it checked.

I would suggest you take your car to the Battery Centre in Midrand. They have an awesome auto electrical department there, they will recon your alternator for a reasonable price.

They will also be able to sort your radio for you

 

[feo]

Well, there are a couple of places to check the fuses.
Usually down on near the bonnet hitch there is usually a little cover you take off, there are a whole lot of fuses. Check them first. Then under the bonnet there is usually another fuse box, (could be anywhere) check that second.

Re the alternator, usually its just a regulator (easy) or a rectifier (not so easy). If you have a multimeter you can check your alternator yourself, but only with a fully charged battery. Put the multimeter on dc and put it on the terminals of the battery, it should read at least 12.6v with the car off . When you start your car that should go up to about 14.2v not more than 14.5v. Then switch on the lights, it should not drop below 13.8. If it goes lower than 13.8 or higher 14.5 then you should have it checked.

I would suggest you take your car to the Battery Centre in Midrand. They have an awesome auto electrical department there, they will recon your alternator for a reasonable price.

They will also be able to sort your radio for you

Battery Centre in Midrand it is. I know very little about cars (disgraceful, I know ) so finding a reputable CHEAP place isn't very easy.

Usually, in situations like these, I just go to the dealer and get financially raped.

Whereabout in Midrand are they?

 

[Mars]

From Pretoria you take New Road off ramp, turn left.
At the first set of robots (there is a motor dealership on every corner) turn right. forgot the name of the road (sorry).
Then take the first road left. That's Superior road.
Drive to then end, straight into the complex in front of you (toward Maxiprest).
Battery Centre is right at the bottom corner.

 

[Mars]

This is real cool:

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=-25.9...25.983219,28.130515&spn=0.01111,0.022659&z=16

Its where the green arrow is, the road name that I couldn't remember is 16th

 

[Fazda]

I don't know if you radio is similar to the ones we sold in VW, but if you lose charge, the radio "thinks" that it has been removed, and will not come on again until you put the code back in.

If you got the car new, the code should be in your handbook.

Hope that helps

 

[feo]

That doesn't help considering I cant turn it on to input the code. The power button (and all other buttons in fact) have no effect, it just wont switch on.

 

[Fazda]

That doesn't help considering I cant turn it on to input the code. The power button (and all other buttons in fact) have no effect, it just wont switch on.

Then it sounds as if you have murdered the poor thing...best to take it to a radio fitment centre...the battery guys will probably tell you zip.

 

[ponder]

Re the alternator, usually its just a regulator (easy) or a rectifier (not so easy). If you have a multimeter you can check your alternator yourself, but only with a fully charged battery. Put the multimeter on dc and put it on the terminals of the battery, it should read at least 12.6v with the car off . When you start your car that should go up to about 14.2v not more than 14.5v. Then switch on the lights, it should not drop below 13.8. If it goes lower than 13.8 or higher 14.5 then you should have it checked.

Makes a note of this. My Honda eats batteries for some odd reason, replaced way to many in the last couple of years.

 

[JK8]

Geeez Feo, buy a new radio, cant imagine what a 1995 Honda radio is like...

 

[Tun@]

Did you check the fuses like suggested above Feo?
If that car is similar to the Preludes the fuse holder is in front of your right knee above the bonnet catch...should be a square-ish plastic plate there.
Once that panels off i think it has what fuse belongs to what written on the back of that plate u remove.....memories a bit rusty but i think thats all close to correct.

 

[ponder]

Geeez Feo, buy a new radio, cant imagine what a 1995 Honda radio is like...

Pretty good, the Grundigs & Deckers are not bad. On the upside they don't look like todays cristmas trees.

 

[feo]

Geeez Feo, buy a new radio, cant imagine what a 1995 Honda radio is like...

Who said it was a 1995 Honda?