Car won't start

[Ollie16v]

Hi all,

Had a problem with the car this morning, before I get shot I have done a search my problem is just slightly different.

The symptoms are that of a dead battery, flickering lights on the dash, starter won't turn and relays clicking like crazy. The reason I'm confused is because I've had trouble starting the car for a few weeks so I checked the battery about a week ago.

12.5 volts when standing and 14.5 when the car was running so I thought that the battery and alternator were ok.

The starting problem I've been having recently was that it would turn over but took longer than normal to fire. I was waiting to see if it got worse, I thought it would be the starter or coil pack.

I'll get it jump started tonight, but anything else I can check?

Car is a 2003 1.2 16v, 150k original battery.

Thanks.

 

[Chapster5]

Sounds like the Alternator to me mate. Not charging the battery when running so when you come to start the car next morning... There isn't enough power to turn it over. Then again check the voltage at the alternator when the car is running check it's giving out 14V if not your battery is shot.

 

[jamesv6]

it cant be the alternator as its 14.5 v when running, you need to load the battery first then check voltage, sounds like a duff old battery.

 

[Ollie16v]

Thanks chaps.

I did a bit of research and despite the battery reading 12 volts, I didn't check what followed the decimal place in my rush to get to work this morning. According it Wikipedia, the difference between a full charge and only 50% is difference between 12.1 and 12.6 volts!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Car_battery

I've got a mate bringing round the jumper cables tonight and I've ordered a Bosch silver battery from Halfords for collection later.

I think 9 years and 150k from a battery is pretty good.

I'll report back if the new battery fixes it.

 

[Chapster5]

Good to hear dude, fingers crossed.

 

[Ollie16v]

New battery fixed it. I'll give the charging circuit a quick check up tomorrow just to make sure the alternator is doing it's job but for now I'm happy.

In case it helps anyone reading this in the future, after first fitting the new battery, I had to lock and unlock the car to deactivate the immobiliser before the engine would turn over. I had to think twice but noticed the light stayed on on the dash. I think this was because the car was left unlocked all day after it was too flat to lock it this morning.

 

[Chapster5]

Good man glad to hear it.