Stonkin Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 Guys, the car is currently stranded somewhere far from ideal. I was having the dreaded ‘clicking’ problem so last night I had the starter motor refurbished. The old contacts literally fell out in several pieces, so it definetly needed doing. Once replaced, the car would not start, the guy measured the battery with a multmeter and it was about 12v across which he though was a bit low for a new battery, lights and everything were also dim so he put a ‘booster pack’ on it for about 2 or 3 mins and could see it was charging up. It then started fine and left it for a few mins running, switched it off and tried starting and it wouldn’t start, wouldn’t even turn over, just clicked.. So he put the booster pack back on and got it started and I took it for a drive down the motorway about 10 miles. Went to a friends house for about 20 mins then tried to come home. The car unlocked fine via the remote, tried to start and it just clicked and the alarm led was just flashing franticly. I left it a minute and had to re-disarm immobiliser, when I pressed the button the led again just flashed like mad and the car made a weird clicking noise (key wasn’t even in ignition at this point) I know electrical faults are virtually impossible to help with like this, but does anyone have any ideas. Im sure some electrical power is being drained somehow, possibly the alarm. Are these easy to disconnect? Could there be a dodgy earth somewhere, if so, where are the main earth points on the car so I can check? Also, in a desperate need to recover the car and get it home safe, can it be jumpstarted as the mechanic is in hospital today with his wife, so no booster pack I can use. I know jump started is not recommended with these cars, but why? Not sure if risking a jump start is worse than leaving it where it currently is? Thanks Christian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanM Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 No, alarms are not easy to disconnect, by design. Itis perfectly safe to jump start your car, run it fotr a good 20 - 30 miles to see if the battery charges up ok. Mine is like this every time it has been laid up for a few weeks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Massey Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 is you're car an auto? As i dont think you can jump start these As mentioned tho, get it started and take it for a really good run for at least 20-30 mins. I had to leave my car idling for 50 mins before i could drive it after i came back from Iraq Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonkin Posted February 18, 2009 Author Share Posted February 18, 2009 Yes it is an auto, by jump start, i meant with jump leads, not pushing, can that also not be done with an auto? The journey i did once it was running was a good 20 mins. I stopped at a petrol station for fuel, and it restarted, then drove it another 2 miles to a friends house, where it got stuck after leaving it 20/30 mins Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lukeyboy2k Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 Yes it is an auto, by jump start, i meant with jump leads, not pushing, can that also not be done with an auto? Jump start should be fine - I've done it loads of times to mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Massey Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 Yes it is an auto, by jump start, i meant with jump leads, not pushing, can that also not be done with an auto? The journey i did once it was running was a good 20 mins. I stopped at a petrol station for fuel, and it restarted, then drove it another 2 miles to a friends house, where it got stuck after leaving it 20/30 mins Ah yes jump start is ok, i was thinking of bump start (its too early) which you cant do with an auto. Have you checked the connections on the battery? sometimes if they are not tight enough it may have the same symptoms other than that all i can suggest is you check all wires and get a multimeter on everything and try and find the problem Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyT Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 Just don't use the booster function on these all singin' dancin' units. May fry the ecu. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonkin Posted February 18, 2009 Author Share Posted February 18, 2009 Thanks guys. If jump starting with leads is ok i will do that as im very worried about leaving the car there too long. Once its home i can do some investigating. Battery connections are solid. Where are the earth straps on these cars, wondering if there is a dodgy earth draining something, the car can only ever be left for a week max or the battery is flat. Which doesnt sound right. And ive had 2 new batteries Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonkin Posted February 18, 2009 Author Share Posted February 18, 2009 Must have just read every flat battery/alarm thread, christ theres a lot. Not quite convinced the alarm isnt causing an issue. There is also a stereo in the car that is dead, always has been. This needs to be ripped out and replaced therefore, but if it is dead (for reasons i dont know) could it be causing a drain? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Massey Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 First disconnect the stereo to see if that is causing a problem and try and find out why the stereo is dead. Also when you get the car started do a drop test on the battery while its running to check and make sure the alternator is pumping out enough power Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonkin Posted February 18, 2009 Author Share Posted February 18, 2009 Sorry M45sey, but what is a drop test? Have arranged a set of jump leads and car for later to at least try and get it home. If its still there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Massey Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 Sorry M45sey, but what is a drop test? Have arranged a set of jump leads and car for later to at least try and get it home. If its still there Its just a volts and amp test on the battery to test how much power the battery has got and shows how much the alternator is pumping out. And will also show if the battery is holding its charge, Its a good way to see any problems like a fcuked battery or alternator or if there is a drain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonkin Posted February 18, 2009 Author Share Posted February 18, 2009 ok mate, thanks. Next task for the day, get a multimeter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supra_aero Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 Haven't you got any breakdown cover at least to recover it home or take it to a garage? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonkin Posted February 18, 2009 Author Share Posted February 18, 2009 My cover doesn’t include taking the car home, just to nearest garage. Theres no way its being taken to some random garage only for a grease monkey who doesn’t know supras to get his mitts all over it. Id end up writing a blank cheque. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonkin Posted February 18, 2009 Author Share Posted February 18, 2009 Through reading threads, it seems you shouldn’t put the –ve from the donor car to the –ve on the duff car when jump starting, but to use an engine lifting hook on top of the engine. Where abouts is this please? Might be looking into this too much, just want to make sure its as safe as possible to not damage anything else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supra_aero Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 My cover doesn’t include taking the car home, just to nearest garage. Theres no way its being taken to some random garage only for a grease monkey who doesn’t know supras to get his mitts all over it. Id end up writing a blank cheque. I understand, hope you get it sorted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burna Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 Turn the headlights and cabin blowers on before using a booster pack, been told it helps prevent frying the ECU. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonkin Posted February 18, 2009 Author Share Posted February 18, 2009 Thanks Burna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris2o2 Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 Good luck with it mate , i have similar problems just now Let us know how you get on ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lukeyboy2k Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 use an engine lifting hook on top of the engine. Where abouts is this please? http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/5328/pa242481bzf6.jpg http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/pa242481bzf6.jpg/1/w320.png Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonkin Posted February 18, 2009 Author Share Posted February 18, 2009 Good man, thanks Luke Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burna Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 Thanks Burna No problem mate. You can borrow my Supra if you like, just give it back to me highly polished Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonkin Posted February 18, 2009 Author Share Posted February 18, 2009 No problem mate. You can borrow my Supra if you like, just give it back to me highly polished Shall i lend you the silver 5 series Last night was the first time id driven it in about 5 weeks, thought all was fixed when i saw the state of the starter contacts. Hate electrical problems!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burna Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 Shall i lend you the silver 5 series That's very good of you. See, you can't do enough for a customer who's not paying Last night was the first time id driven it in about 5 weeks, thought all was fixed when i saw the state of the starter contacts. Hate electrical problems!! I know what you mean, hate electrics too. Lucky I know TrickTT, he's got a HNC in electronics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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