car wont start

[Hippium]

Hi all

I turn the ignition, theres a 'clattering' noise (sounds electrical) lights flicker with the clatter, the starter doesnt seem to engage.

Any clues?

Only thing I did recently, short of driving it back from being repaired was look under the drivers side foot well, just finding out whats what, I took the cover off the fuse box down there & replaced it.

I'm guessing its something to do with the immobiliser but that all seems to function as it should - its an apollo 2002 if that helps...

[mikeyb10supra]

Battery - Change it :d

[heckler]

aye - flat battery...

[Hippium]

thanks guys, I'll try jumping it in a sec.

Is it ok to swap the battery for another one I know is good or will this cause the immobiliser to kick in?

[heckler]

should be Ok - but dont quote me on that!

[mikeyb10supra]

thanks guys, I'll try jumping it in a sec.

Is it ok to swap the battery for another one I know is good or will this cause the immobiliser to kick in?

will be fine

[SUPRALOOPY]

YOUR CAR IS GOING TO BLOW UP..











Nah it will be ok

[Hippium]

Well, it did'nt blow up but what it did do was... not very much...

Couldnt swap the battery out as the terminals on the other battery were too large so I tried jumping it from a hefty two-battery diesel van with no effect.

The internal door lights got dimmer & dimmer & the beeping sound from the ignition & immobiliser got higher pitched as the power went - this was whilst trying to jump it, I have to say.

I'm stumped but then, I dont profess to know much about cars...

[SUPRALOOPY]

http://www.mkivsupra.net/vbb/showthread.php?t=51682&highlight=starter+motor

If that don't work try this above...

[terribleturner]

So you can hear a clicking when your turn the key?? Not the starter turning over trying to catch??
It shouldn't be the imobilser because they either kill the spark or the power to the starter.

[Hippium]

Thanks SUPRALOOPY

before I go shelling out for a new battery, I thought I'd better test the charge with a multimeter, it read 3.4 volts which is a bit off compared to 12.9 on the other car here, since it didnt jump could it be flat, could it be a dead cell...?

[terribleturner]

Have you checked the water in the battery?? Good indication the battery is going bad.

[LeeT]

Thanks SUPRALOOPY

before I go shelling out for a new battery, I thought I'd better test the charge with a multimeter, it read 3.4 volts which is a bit off compared to 12.9 on the other car here, since it didnt jump could it be flat, could it be a dead cell...?

i'd say definitely new battery time. Were you using a decent size jump lead or those cheap thin things?

[SUPRALOOPY]

you need 12v to kick the alternator into charging..even if its the alternator the battery will be fooked so get another one...4 year one would be good..

[LeeT]

you need 12v to kick the alternator into charging..even if its the alternator the battery will be fooked so get another one...4 year one would be good..

:yeahthat: Halfords HCB005

[Hippium]

yeah Terrible, the electrolyte levels were fine, just over the plates in all compartments, I put some more ionised water in to be sure (not much)

LeeT, the jump leads seemed pretty thick (what do I know) to me, about a cm

SUPRALOOPY a 4 year one, I take it thats how long its likely to last rather than a brand, speaking of which,

LeeT Halfords HCB005? is that the best I can hope to get & its from Halfords? Plus, is it worth getting a sealed gel battery coz I'm lazy or are they inneficient in other ways?

Thanks all for your replies, feeling like I'm taking more than I'm giving to the forum at the mo, hopefully my turn will come... :)

[SUPRALOOPY]

yeah Terrible, the electrolyte levels were fine, just over the plates in all compartments, I put some more ionised water in to be sure (not much)

LeeT, the jump leads seemed pretty thick (what do I know) to me, about a cm

SUPRALOOPY a 4 year one, I take it thats how long its likely to last rather than a brand, speaking of which,

LeeT Halfords HCB005? is that the best I can hope to get & its from Halfords? Plus, is it worth getting a sealed gel battery coz I'm lazy or are they inneficient in other ways?

Thanks all for your replies, feeling like I'm taking more than I'm giving to the forum at the mo, hopefully my turn will come... :)

4 Years is the garauntee. cm jump leads are shit..halfrauds batterys are fine as long as they are garaunteed;) Most batterys are maintenance free now so don't worrie:D If all else fails then i have a gallon of petrol and a box of matches going cheap;) :p

[Hippium]

lmao, thanks SUPRALOOPY, keep the matches in reserve
I'll get down to halfords for the battery & maybe some leads tomorrow (today?), later...
I'll let people know on here if this sorts it or if its anything more interesting :)

[Hippium]

One HCB005 fitted and all working again thanks all who helped and also Greg at Turbofit for sorting out my dodgy terminal job ;)

[SUPRALOOPY]

good show...what what

[Polemarch]

The problem was a dodgy battery connection on the end, Now it is working 100%, hoorah! Thanks toall.