Abu Dhabi Off-Road Club Forums

My other car is a Ford Explorer, and I think the battery has died (rather than the starter motor). Its currently at my villa which is no where near a petrol station/battery place, so I guess I need to go somewhere to pick up a battery and then replace it in the Explorer.

I have tried to jump start it with the Jeep, but it didnt work. Am assuming its because its been sat idle for months - since I got the Jeep rather than anything more serious.

So my questions are:

Where can I get a battery and is it a standard battery or will I need to ask for something special?
How easy is it to swap them over?
Is there anthing I should be aware of before I begin - would rather know now than after the fact!!

Or alternatively, can I ring someone/a garage/a Mr Fix It who will come out and do it cheaply?

Many thanks.

Sam

sam, where is you house located (nothing personnal)

Bain Al Jasrain - backside of the Shangri-La hotel, Abu Dhabi.

hum... i don't know the area.

But what i did when i had my Z3M dead on the parking, i went to see a small mech shop i was recommended (behind Adnoc Khalidiyah) which i gave a lift to my car. He checked the battery, we went back to his shop to get the good one, then back to the car, change it, paid it the expat price and this was done in half an hour.

so, you should be able to do that in your area if you find a small mech.

I did the same when my car was dead after I came back from vacations.
That was easy and fast.

However there was a problem later, the new battery fitted did not last very long.
I was explained later that probably it had not been charged properly after the
installation, it should have been fully charged first, then discharged, then
charged full again.

Sam, you can buy a battery from any of the car spare parts shops in Madinet Zayed behind the Zayed Shopping Center in Moroor Road or behind Baby Shop in Airport Road (same area from different direction).
But take care that the batteries have different sizes according to the car model and so on.
Last time my car did the same, I managed to jump start it and took it there, they replaced the battery with a new one (AC Delco).
If you can reach the battery, try to read it's model or number, then you can easily fix the new one.

I don't think you need a new battery, just a good charge (30 minutes). Most new batteries will have a port to peek through to colored dot, probably green/black/red. There should be a legend telling you what each color means.

Sam, you just need a good jump start wires. Normally the small ones that you buy (Because they look handy) are good for jump starting a motor bike.

You need a heave duty one ... Keep it plugged for 5 minutes, rev the charging car to 3 RPM and then try to start the Ford. If not working, then keep it for another 5 minutes and try again.

This link will tell you how to read your battery
http://hubpages.com/hub/Choosing-a-Car-Battery---Guide

Here they normally go with the same size group

If you need help, just call me

If the car has comprehensive insurance you will also have breakdown assiatance that is free.....cal them and get them to jump start your car for you.

Alternately some credit cards and bank accounts also have free breakdown recovery so check with your bank or card issues.

This is the most simple and cost effective solution.

Also the Ford dealer will send out someone to start the car if it has the extended service plan.

Thanks everyone. I just have the puny jump leads so will try again tonight with heavy duty jump leads and let it run for much longer. Will also have a look at what the battery is etc to see about getting a new one if its needed.

Watch this space...

if u need any help let me know .... i think the battery died

YaYoS wrote:if u need any help let me know .... i think the battery died

YaYos..this is a month ago

Gladiator wrote:

YaYoS wrote:if u need any help let me know .... i think the battery died

YaYos..this is a month ago

But thanks though YaYos