Wouldn't start , now starts ??

[MRBILLYUK]

Got in the car an hour ago to gome home from the g/f's , The car started fine . Got home , the car wouldn't lock using the key fob , just the faintest of clicks. Tried to start the car and it was dead as a dodo , no lights on the dash , nothing . I tried the spare key which is basically new , never really used it and that was the same.

The battery was showing 12.96V when off . When I eventually got it started was showing 14.05V which dropped to 13.75V when the fan kelled that now icked in.

I called breakdown to come out in the meantime but I've cancelled that now.

Anybody any ideas ?

 

[imprezaworks]

Can only be alternator/battery i reckon.

 

[MRBILLYUK]

Can only be alternator/battery i reckon.

That's what I was thinking . I had some problems with my alternator about 20 months ago . I took it to a garage locally , recommended by someone on here . Not a specialist . He fitted a new one , which failed after a few weeks . He fitted another that last 3 months . So he fitted another which has been on ever since. I asked him to fit another earth cable , but he only ran one from the battery to the bodywork and a 2nd live cable from the battery to the alternator.
I'm just wondering if some electrical gremlins are creeping in now due to its age. A couple of weeks ago the windscreen wipers started playing up . They'll only work in auto and position 2 slow speed , not position 3 fast speed.
The batteries 2 and half years old , top of the range Varta . It's holding a charge and charging .
I wonder if your mate @bloke will have any ideas ?

 

[MRBILLYUK]

Just to add. When I put the key in and it wouldn't start there was no noise at all , no clicking , no electrical sounds .

 

[bloke]

what did you do to get it going in the end?

 

[MRBILLYUK]

what did you do to get it going in the end?

Sorry mate , I've been out and just got home . Like I said . It wouldn't start , no noises , clicking, no lights on the dash etc ....... I tried umpteen times to start it , but nothing . Then it just started . I had to enter the code for the radio and the auto lights came on as if the battery had been disconnected.

The first time I had a problem with alternator was the day after this garage had fitted a new abs ring to the front passenger side ( 20 ish months ago) . So I asked him if it's possible he could have damaged or dislodged the earth strap in the wheel arch ( I'm not exactly sure where it is myself lol ) He said no . After the new alternator failed after a couple of weeks , he fitted another . That lasted about 3 months . So I took it back and he fitted another alternator , that was about 18 months ago . I asked him about the earth strap again. So he fitted an earth cable from the battery to the bodywork and a live cable from the alternator directly to the battery , it looks a right bodge job to be honest .

I've just home from the g/f's now and it started fine , no problems . Could it be the earth strap from the gearbox to the wheel arch ? Any ideas ? Both battery terminals are tight .

 

[Typhoon]

Handbags away.

 

[bloke]

Check the earth from the box and also check the main loom earth on the rear of the box as well. Then check and clean relays in the box under the bonnet as well.

Do that first even if it's just to rule them out.

 

[MRBILLYUK]

Check the earth from the box and also check the main loom earth on the rear of the box as well. Then check and clean relays in the box under the bonnet as well.

Do that first even if it's just to rule them out.

Cheers mate . I'll do that at the weekend , I'm busy as fcuk this week. Thanks for your advice , much appreciated ?

 

[MRBILLYUK]

Quick update . I didn't get chance to look at the car due to starting a new job and not having time when I got home from work , then last weekend when planned to look at it , it pissed down all weekend so didn't want to be under the bonnet / car looking for something that I don't have a clue about in the pouring rain . It's only done it twice since , until this morning when It wouldn't fire up at all . I've made a couple of vids if anybody can suss out what it might be from them? @bloke maybe ? I did buy a new earth strap , but like I said it's pissed down when I've been home. The central lockings working ok , which when it first started acting up didn't work.

 

[rik220]

Check the connection to the interior fuse box.

 

[bloke]

battery and connections first check. see if the earth will move on the terminal, then the positive. then body end of the earth etc.

 

[MRBILLYUK]

Bit of an update . The breakdown recovery guy came . His first thoughts from the noise and lights when trying to start was the starter motor . Then he said it's the battery not holding a charge , but the alternator is charging it, just not holding the charge . I've bought a new battery and I'll fit it in the morning . I'm not 100% convinced it is the battery , but I'll go with what he says . I'll also have a look at the earth strap tomorrow . You can get to it through the passenger side arch liner can't you ?
The battery I have on is only 2 and half years old , it's a Varta Silver with a 5 year warranty . I phoned Tayna batteries who I bought it off online and they sent me some emails about what to do next .

Charging information.


We tend to find if a battery is discharged too low, when then attempting to re-charge the battery, the charger will run a current through but the battery will not retain its charge as it will not recognise it as a battery.

So following the next steps will "trick" the battery into regaining a charge, in most cases.

Please try the following to re-charge your battery:

1. Connect flat battery to any other battery with jump leads

2. Leave for 10 mins and then connect charger to flat battery at same time.

3. Turn on charger and charge like this for 1 hour.

4. Then take off jump leads and charge battery normally with charger for minimum of 12 hours

5. 12.73v will be 100% charged.

They also said I can send it back by recorded delivery . I checked out the price and it was £40 ?so that's not an option .

 

[MRBILLYUK]

Just a thought . I started a new job 3 weeks ago . I literally drive 5 or 6 mins to and back from work each day , the cars left standing all day and night . If the battery was a bit on the weak side that might be causing the problem? I've just given it a 20 mile blast down the M65 , checked the voltage when I got home and it's showing 12.78 volts.

 

[bloke]

is that running?

 

[imprezaworks]

I reckon by midday tomo your weekend will look brighter.

 

[MRBILLYUK]

is that running?

No , that was as soon as i turned the engine off . Running was 14.24 Volts

 

[MRBILLYUK]

I reckon by midday tomo your weekend will look brighter.

I fuckin hope so mate . I'm getting a bit pissed off with the car at the moment

 

[imprezaworks]

How long you owned the car? Has it had a battery in that time?

 

[bloke]

what about when you crank it?

 

[MRBILLYUK]

How long you owned the car? Has it had a battery in that time?

I've had it since new , 12 and half years . First original battery lasted about 8 years . Then I changed that after 2 years cos I was having starting issues , turned out to be the crank sensor. So this is the 3rd battery , 2 and half years old .

 

[MRBILLYUK]

what about when you crank it?

You mean put the voltmeter on when I start it up ? I haven't tried that. Is it worth changing the earth strap , seeing that I've bought a new one?

 

[bloke]

check voltage on cranking first.

 

[MRBILLYUK]

what about when you crank it?

Just been out and tried it as I cranked it . Before it started it was 12.61 volts , when cranking it dropped to between 10.60 and 10.80 for a split second then shoots up to 14+ volts as you'd expect. Does that sound normal to you ? @bloke

 

[MRBILLYUK]

Another thing to add . Which it's done before , but not today until just now is the auto lights came on straight away and it's asking for the code again for the radio as if the battery has been disconnected . It did this the other week . All the terminals are tight on the battery.

 

[bloke]

give the battery a good charge and get it drop tested.

 

[MRBILLYUK]

give the battery a good charge and get it drop tested.

Well I've already gone and bought a new one now . So I'll change it tomorrow morning. Does that sound right though the 10.60 - 10.80 volts when I crank it ?

 

[bloke]

bit low but nothing to worry about, from what it's doing it could be a dicky battery though if connections are 100% ok.

 

[MRBILLYUK]

bit low but nothing to worry about, from what it's doing it could be a dicky battery though if connections are 100% ok.

Thanks for the advice , I really appreciate it . I'll change the battery tomorrow and see how I get on. I'll have a look at the earth strap too .

 

[MRBILLYUK]

Changed the battery . Cleaned up the terminals on both + and - cables . The earth cable from the battery and loom were pretty loose , so tightened them up. The gearbox to body earth strap was in decent condition but put a 2nd one on just for good measure as I already bought one. I couldn't see this much talked about white fuse/relay ? Mine are pink , brown and purple. I'll see how I go from now on . I still get a feeling that it could be a combination of not driving the car much this past 2 weeks and maybe a slightly weak battery could have been an issue. Time will tell . Fingers crossed. Thanks @bloke for your advice mate . Much appreciated.

 

[bloke]

White connector at bottom of the fuse box.

If earth from battery wasn't tight then 99% that will of been your problem.