Does the absence of a green light in the magic-eye indicator indicate fatal battery condition ? My vehicle was left unused for a month and the battery completely discharged itself. It was removed and recharged using the latest type of automatic charger and the car has subsequently been for a run, but still no green light. Following the run I got an inspection service message on the instrument display - but the car has only done 4000 miles (Inspection service on this type is at 10,000). Can anyone offer any advice ?

This happened on the wifes when we left it unused for ages! The battery is best left on a low trickle charge until you get the green magic eye back. Dont forget you need to tap the eye to get it to work (again mine did not show until I give it several taps!). The insp is because the battery went flat. If you go to your dealer he should reset it for free, mine did as it takes 30seconds if that. Hope this helps. :Handshake

I'm sorry to say that I did try all that - battery was charged for 10 hours at an indicated full charge rate of the charger (Charger can supply 11amps RMS, though as the battery is 60 AH I suspect it was only charging at 6A). All the cells were covered with electrolyte at the start of the charge and mid-way through I topped the cells with DW - the handbook indicates that absence of a green light may be due to low electrolyte. After 10 hours the charger automatically defaulted to maintenance charge - this was measured on a meter as just over 3A. The thing was left on maintenance charge for 24 hours and still no green light - though the battery appeared to be fully charged.

On installation it started first time and has been for two runs in the past 2 days totalling 40 miles - still no-show despite vigorous tapping.

I did notice that the battery had been installed from new without vaselining the terminal posts. Is this the new fashion ?

I'm beginning to suspect the battery is a "Friday afternoon" job, and that I would be better advised to visit a dealer sooner rather than latter in order to maximize the recoverable warranty value.

C'est la vie

Just out of interest do you happen to know what produces the green light. Is it chemical or is there an LED ?

Many thanks for your comments

Nick Roberts

Yep sounds like a duff battery I would get it to your dealer and let thenm sort it.....