#1: car wont start Author: Chris201009, Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2015 12:18 pm ---- Went to start the car this evening and it wont start! it's not the battery, electric windows etc still work. Any help appreciated
#2: Re: car wont start Author: Spotfist, Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2015 1:32 pm ---- So the engine doesn't turn over at all? If the engine aint turning over and there is a click coming from the engine bay it can still be the battery even if the windows don't work.
Need more info for people to pass comment
#3: Re: car wont start Author: Chris201009, Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2015 4:30 pm ---- no, engine doesn't turn over...tries its best
#4: Re: car wont start Author: mtempsch, Location: Gothenburg, SwedenPosted: Sat Jan 24, 2015 1:29 am ----
Chris201009 wrote:
no, engine doesn't turn over...tries its best
What happens to lights as it tries to turn the engine? If they dim down severely I'd say a faulty battery.
One mode of failure is for the voltage to collapse when a big current is drawn (like by the starter motor) while it's OK when no or small current is drawn.
Typically the fault lies in one cell of the battery - if you can get the caps off (might require cutting_/removing labels and some serious prying on some types of batteries) you could try measuring the specific density of the acid in each cell. If one is significantly different, that's the likely culprit.
Or put a test load on the battery (might work just trying to start the car) while looking down into the cells (not too close and/or wear protective goggles and/or put a piece of plastic between your face and the battery - sulphuric acid in the eyes isn't fun) a faulty cell might be visibly bubbling/fizzing while under load. Might take a few seconds to become visible.
Or get the car/battery to a place that has a tester (most automotive places around here that sells batteries do (excepting small service stations (more likely to sell milk and hotdogs than have ca hose clamp at hand) and the big box ones (just want to sell, not help diagnose...))
#5: Re: car wont start Author: Chris201009, Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2015 3:22 am ---- the dashboard lights, they do dim down severely! it shouldn't be the battery as it was only replaced just after Christmas.
#6: Re: car wont start Author: mtempsch, Location: Gothenburg, SwedenPosted: Sun Jan 25, 2015 3:45 am ----
Chris201009 wrote:
the dashboard lights, they do dim down severely! it shouldn't be the battery as it was only replaced just after Christmas.
Shouldn't, sure, unlikely, sure, but they CAN fail at any time. If they never did, there wouldn't be any need for warranties...
Given you recently replaced the battery, there might be an underlying fault in the charging system. If you've got a volt/multi-meter, check what the voltage on the battery is when it's been 'undisturbed' for at least 10 minutes.
Fully charged is about 12,6V, about 12.2 at 50% and anything at or below 10,5 it's empty.
If you have a meter and get the car running, try measuring the voltage across the battery then. Keep it at about 2000 RPM and you shoul see a voltage in the 14-14.4V range.
I'd still say a check of the battery (acid density, load test) would be in order - maybe the place where you bought it, given it might be a warranty claim?
#7: Re: car wont start Author: kandlbarrett, Location: SwindonPosted: Sun Jan 25, 2015 4:07 am ---- Sounds like your battery is flat or you have a poor connection at the battery or earth point.
You need to get the car started the check for charging faults and, with the car switched off, excess current drain.
Have you left anything switched on over night? Side lights or radio?
My son had an after market CD player in his car and that would either go into standby (push the of button) or switch of completely by holding the off button for 4 seconds. In standby it would flatten the battery if the car was left for a couple of days or only driven short distances. This is just used as an example of some of the strange things that you could be looking for.
#8: Re: car wont start Author: Spotfist, Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2015 8:19 am ----
Spotfist wrote:
So the engine doesn't turn over at all? If the engine aint turning over and there is a click coming from the engine bay it can still be the battery even if the windows don't work.
Need more info for people to pass comment
Sorry meant to say "if the windows do work"
Agree with kandlbarret, check for a parasitic drain on the battery or a dodgy connection, if it was recently replaced the terminal might not be connected 100% so will take a small load (light, windows etc) but not a big load.
My battery recently went in the cold weather, lights, windows, everything worked but the engine wouldn't turn over.
Used to have a Frontera that would drain overnight especially in the cold, had to fit an isolator switch in the end as could never trace the issue!
We are not responsible for comments posted by our users, as they are the property of the poster
Interactive software released under GNU GPL,
Code Credits,
Privacy Policy
Membership:
Latest: 
New Today: 0
New Yesterday: 0
Overall: 17130
Online Now [57]:
Visitors: 56
Members: 0
Staff Online Now:
Page Views:
General
