Major problem!

[AhmedRSi]

Happened today out of the blue, when i was very low on petrol. Randomly when i switched the car on it turned over fine but:

• the red light for the alarm/imobilliser would be flashing fast
• oil/battery light was perminantly on
• after 2/3 seconds the engine would then cut out completely.

Now it happens about 30% of the time i try to switch the car on. I have since filled up with petrol but what could it be? its still happening and Im really worried as I have a 150 mile trip tomorrow and I need to know my car is ok. Its a mk2ph1 1.2 8v btw.

p.s - how can i renew my club membership?

 

[Paul M]

When you say "very low" on petrol how low had it gone?
If its happening 30% of the time best thing is to have it looked at asap. I don't think I'dbe risking a 150 mile journey with the possibility of a breakdown with the inconvenience etc.

 

[Timmay]

as for renewal - pay on card through paypal

 

[AhmedRSi]

The petrol light had been on for approx 10/20 miles. Thing is after I put petrol in it seemed to stop doing it but then at the end of last night it did it again.

 

[gaz_5103]

check you oil level.

 

[AhmedRSi]

oil level was topped up approx 100 miles ago. But ill check it again when i go out later.

 

[AstoN]

c**k your leg on the wheel and call it a day...

 

[AhmedRSi]

oil levels fine. suggestions?

 

[Da]

Battery is fubared possibly?
Does the car start and drive fine sometimes?

 

[bmh.01]

You've got immobiliser issues for a start if the light is flashing rapidly. Check the battery voltage first.

 

[AhmedRSi]

Does the car start and drive fine sometimes?

Yes. Upon further inspection i started the car approx 20 times today and it only did it twice.

You've got immobiliser issues for a start if the light is flashing rapidly. Check the battery voltage first.

Is it worth mentioning I recently installed a sub (approx 2 weeks ago)... and more recently I left the interior light on overnight which drained the battery but after a jump start it recharged? Oh.. one more thing... sometimes it takes ages to start the car...

Eg..
normally, turn key "click click click *engine fires up*"
sometimes "click click click click click click click click click click click click click *engine fires up*

as if the battery is dead but it just takes longer than usual and starts in the end.

 

[Bloooor]

this kind of thing happened to me mate, bought a new headunit and wired it up red cable to red cable and yellow to yellow. I later found out the red cable is our yellow and vice versa. This drained my battery overnight and when I started up my car it did exactly the same as yours (started almost instant and then gradually began to die)

Bought a new battery the next day, installed it, swapped the wires over correctly and it was fine

I also had all sorts of lights flickering on my dash and my car juddering but this was because of a connecter on my battery was loose.

Hope this helps

Adam

 

[bmh.01]

I'd be checking the battery for sure then if you've flattenend it, if its an older one that might have finished it off.

And adam just to add to the confusion all the alpines i've had have been red->red/yellow->yellow, no swapping required!

 

[AhmedRSi]

The battery is the original that came with the car, and its about 7 years old now. Glad its the battery though i was worried about oil problems etc!