2011 dci suddenly wouldn't start.

[jako111]

hi all, I bought my car 6 months ago. it's a 2011 dci and it had driven beautifully. today after driving my usual 50 miles I went to pick my kid up from school. when we returned to the car 5 mins later it was dead. the outside lights didn't flash when I bleeped it open. the inside lights did turn on. the immobiliser light is on. I got a jump start and the car did "try" a bit harder for a while after to never got on.
Is my battery dead or is it an electronic problem. I don't know much about the workings and got absolutely shafted by a mechanic last time I used one.
I have taken little video if i could figure out how to upload it

 

[Jenesaisqoui]

hi all, I bought my car 6 months ago. it's a 2011 dci and it had driven beautifully. today after driving my usual 50 miles I went to pick my kid up from school. when we returned to the car 5 mins later it was dead. the outside lights didn't flash when I bleeped it open. the inside lights did turn on. the immobiliser light is on. I got a jump start and the car did "try" a bit harder for a while after to never got on.
Is my battery dead or is it an electronic problem. I don't know much about the workings and got absolutely shafted by a mechanic last time I used one.
I have taken little video if i could figure out how to upload it

Best place to start is battery. You can remove the plastic cell covers using a coin (they look like small circles with crosses on). Remove all the covers, look into the cells using a torch and get somebody to turn the ignition. If the battery is duff you should see small bubbles emerging from one or more cells.

 

[jako111]

thanks for that. it's parked where it died so I'll try that tomorrow. however I didn't notice that when we tried to jump it. and i was standing right there.

 

[Jenesaisqoui]

It's worth a shot buddy, if one of the cells has died the other 5 will be working overtime to charge it, therefore losing power themselves. Your story sounds extremely similar to mine a few months back. Turns out 2 cells in the battery were absolutely crapped. £40 and a trip to halfords later and the car's perfect again

 

[Jenesaisqoui]

For reference, these are what the cell covers look like:

 

[jako111]

It's worth a shot buddy, if one of the cells has died the other 5 will be working overtime to charge it, therefore losing power themselves. Your story sounds extremely similar to mine a few months back. Turns out 2 cells in the battery were absolutely crapped. £40 and a trip to halfords later and the car's perfect again :smile:

you've given me such hope!!!!
this is probably going to be the dumbest things anyone has ever said. but. do I just get a mechanic to put the new battery in

 

[jako111]

For reference, these are what the cell covers look like:
View attachment 171295

my battery don't look like that. eeek.

 

[Jenesaisqoui]

you've given me such hope!!!!
this is probably going to be the dumbest things anyone has ever said. but. do I just get a mechanic to put the new battery in

Not at all mate, if you don't fancy doing it yourself Halfords will fit it I'm sure

 

[jako111]

Not at all mate, if you don't fancy doing it yourself Halfords will fit it I'm sure :smile:

ha. the car is dead as a door nail. so cant get it to Halfords. I'll ask around aNd hopefully someone can do it. and it will work. and Christmas will be saved. lol

 

[Jenesaisqoui]

Everything above is from my neighbour by the way, no sure how robust the science is aha!

If I was you, I would just buy a battery, get somebody to plug it in for you, then if the car still doesn't start replace your own and return the new one for a refund. Could be a few other things I'm sure, but probably best to start with the cheapest/simplest option mate

 

[jako111]

thanks very much. I'll get to Halfords tomorrow so.