The barn doors aint the problem, Nimrod, its the freaking parking lights!


"Southoceandrive" > wrote in
message ...
>
> "Gary" > wrote in message
> news:F1Xhd.6469$o52.3207@trndny03...
> > 1990 Miata with WestCo battery:
> >
> > I seem to forget to turn my lights off and run down the battery too
often.
> > I'd say it happens about twice a month. I have a portable battery jumper
> in
> > my house and its no problem starting the car when I forget to turn off
the
> > lights at home. But it really hurts when I forget away from home. I may
> have
> > to keep the portable battery unit on the passenger's side floor. I'm
> afraid
> > to put it in the trunk, because you know what will happen. A dented
trunk,
> > from within.
> >
> > To be properly warned, I bought one of those light minders from Miata
> > Marketing. Its a buzzer and has two wires that attach to a couple fuses
> > inside the car. Unfortunately, the ends of the wires have clips which go
> > under two specific fuses, but its too thick to insert them into the fuse
> > holder without forcing them in and damaging the fuse holder. Yes, I used
> the
> > right clips (there were 3 depending on year and model). The bottom line:
I
> > had to cut the clips off and wrap the bare wire around the fuse leads
and
> > insert them in. That worked for a while, but the vibrations cause it to
no
> > longer make a good contact and the warning buzzer no longer works. I
plan
> to
> > solder the wires onto the fuse leads, but what if that fails?
> >
> > My other idea is to get one of those Priority One units which cuts off
the
> > battery when in reaches a threshold. Then if I leave the lights on, I
can
> > open the trunk and press a button to allow the battery to work enough to
> > crank the engine. However, the friggin thing is almost as much as buying
a
> > new WestCo battery.
> >
> > Other than telling me to not ever leave the lights on again, is there
any
> > advice or tips or products?
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Gary
> >
> >
> There is a subtle 'light on' warning signal that is standard on many
> Miatas -- THE BIG FREAKIN' BARN DOORS FLANKING THE HOOD. If you train
> yourself to detect this slight change in body shape, it may alleviate your
> problem.
>
>