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MG MGF Technical - Stranded! help needed please

Hi all, first time on this forum. I'm usually on the BV8 & midget forums. Just had a call from a friend who's F has just died. The message was "you've got MG's, can you help?" She started her car this morning with no problems. She drove it for about 15 mins and parked. When she returned about two hours later the car won't start. No ignition lights, no kick from the starter, no central locking, no nothing. Sounds to me like dead battery or broken/disconnected battery leads.

Has anyone experienced anything like this before with an F. Is there anything else I should be looking for? I've never been in the F or worked on it so I dont even know where the battery is! I think it's call in at the deep end, fault finding on a car you don't know, in the snow and in the dark.

Hope someone is able to offer some help as I don't fancy towing it in the snow!

Regards

Andy
A.S. Kenning

Andy,
Sounds like a battery terminal has become dislodged - check that first. It doesn't sound F specific. Battery is in bonnet which is opened by a lever in the boot. Good luck - but it does sound very simple if there is absolutely no power to anything at all.
Charles
harles

Hi Andy and welcome.

The battery is located under the bonnet (the bonnet release handle is located in the boot and before closing the boot lid make sure you have the keys in your hand !). TBH the battery is the first item I would check out for broken earth / loose cables etc.

HTH
Steve P

Thanks guys, especially for the advice about the keys. I'm off to perform a miracle/surgery (delete as applicable!!)


Regards

Andy
A.S. Kenning

Problem resolved. Flat battery due to driver leaving head lights on when she parked it, despite lights reminder sounding! When I connected it to another car to jump start it, the alarm sounded, interior lights and headlights came on - however she maintains that she never switched the lights on this morning....

Must be a poltergeist then. Never mind all's well.

Thanks for your help

Regards

Andy
A.S. Kenning

Sort of glad to hear it!! Thanks for the feedback. Discharged dead like that, the battery probably won't last next winter; even if that sort of muppetry is not repeated. Well done you for volunteering.
Charles
C.R.B. Simeon

Glad you got it sorted Andy. If you do have to replace the battery, IMHO Varta make a better replacement than the OE one for less money.

Steve
Steve P

This thread was discussed on 24/01/2007

MG MGF Technical index

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