172 won't start

[Bec_RSi]

Right boys and girls

Got in our 172 to move the car today - unlocked it, put the key in the ignition and nothing happened! didn't try to turn over at all, just clicked once. Then the alarm went off but it was really quite. Took the key out, got out the car and turned off the alarm. Tried it in the ignition again and it just clicked it again.

Got out, went to lock it with the key fob and....nothing happened, the car won't respond to the key. I got the spare but the same happened...nothing. So I'm left with an unlocked car.
We had the battery checked on the volt meter yesterday and apparently its fine. We drove 125 miles yesterday and it was fine, drove it to work this morning and it was ok, took a little while to start.
It did this about 4 months ago, was running fine, then drove up the road, got back in and it just clicked st me!!

I've left it 30 minutes and tried to start it again and it did nothing!
Any suggestions as to what it might be? Do you think I've messed it up because the alarm went off when I started it???

 

[stu-172]

Are the warning lights etc on the dash lighting when you turn the key to position 2 (ie. before you start it). It sounds like the battery is fubarred! Can you jump/bump start it?

 

[Bec_RSi]

no lights, no nothing!!!
We had to bump start it last time it did this but i can't move it back on my own to jump it down the hill, its a heavy bugger!
would the battery still be fubbard even though the volt meter said it was ok yesterday?

 

[stevo172-RWD]

its amps you need.
will it lock all the doors from the key lock in door?
i think battery.

 

[Bec_RSi]

just checked, no lights come on when i put the key in, nothing. When I lock the it from the door, it only locks the door I'm locking, not the whole car.

Anyone know what battery do I need? do they need to be ordered especially?

 

[stevo172-RWD]

do the headlights come on?
are they bright?
could be a bad earth strap from engine/gearbox to subframe?

 

[Bec_RSi]

no lights at all, its like its just died!
thanks for all these suggestions!

 

[stevo172-RWD]

its gotta be battery.

have you checked fuses?

 

[Nickharding]

You said the Alarm was quiet and no lights, Its your battery.

 

[Bec_RSi]

no not yet, wouldn't have a clue where to start. Going to get my other half to check it when he gets home.

I suppose that the battery makes sense as neither of the key fobs are working either.

 

[stevo172-RWD]

ok.
if you had to bump it before then id say its not holding charge(battery)
i asume its been sat still for a long time.

 

[Bec_RSi]

no thats the problem, it goes out everyday! It does 6 miles a day about 4 times a week and 70 miles a day 2 times a week. We've also just come back from a weekend away 125 mile away

Maybe its the little journeys that's killing it?

 

[stevo172-RWD]

Flat battery either not holding charge or not charging.
Could be alternator.
6miles is plenty!
It's a 90amp alternator I think.