redtwinturbo Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 Hi guys, History: I have been having some problems with the battery going flat over the last few months - have always solved it by charging overnight and then the next day no problems starting. The battery seemed to be fine as long as the car is used fairly regularly. Problem: The car has been idle for 3 weeks and I tried to start it and you guessed it - nothing, took the battery out and charged it up, put it back in this morning and won't start. When you turn the key to start there's a whirring and a loud "click" noise and nothing else. It tried to turn over once on about the third attempt but only for about 1/2 a second before the "click" noise. I'm confident it's not an alarm/immobiliser problem and everything else seems to be working fine. I'm a bit worried because just charging the battery seems to have solved the problem in the past. So do you think it's new battery time? Or is there anything else you suggest I check first? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Cheers, James p.s. sorry about the long explanation! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanM Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 Sounds like battery is goosed mate, get it checked Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supra steveo Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carl0s Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 That click is the solenoid plunger part of the starter motor assembly plunging into place in order to acheive two things: 1. Push the pinion gear into the gearbox 2. Make an electrical contact with the motor part to start it turning. What happens with a dead battery is that there's enough juice to fire the solenoid, but not enough to turn the motor once the pinion gear's engaged. The other thing that gives exactly these symptoms is when the brass electrical contacts on the end of the plunger are worn out, these are the contacts that make the electrical connection to turn the motor. When this happens the plunger/pinion gear is pushed in, but there's not a good enough electrical contact on the brass contact parts so current doesn't flow properly and the motor doesn't turn. So either: Your battery doesn't have enough juice, or, You need to Overhaul your Starter Contacts ( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robin Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 car batterys don't like to be completely drained or deep cycled. They can die from being drained right down Maybe try and Jump it from a known good car? If that works you know its your battery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supra_surj Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 Had same problem. Battery was knackered. Replaced it and solved everything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tylos Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 I had the same problem, turned out i had a dead cell in the battery so if i left it for a few days, used the lights without the ignition on etc car wouldnt start. Got a new battery and completely fixed the problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redtwinturbo Posted August 3, 2007 Author Share Posted August 3, 2007 Sounds like I need a new battery I've had a look in the battery FAQ and will probably get the Halfords one tomorrow. The existing battery is very old anyway so even if it doesn't solve the problem a new one would have been a good idea sooner or later anyway. Thanks for the advice everyone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest s_supra Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 me and a mate had the same problem, sticking starter motor! its a common fault. try the battery but i think you may find that its the starter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redtwinturbo Posted September 12, 2007 Author Share Posted September 12, 2007 Update: Following on from your suggestions I changed the battery to a new Halfords HB005, this seemed to solve the problem and the car has started and driven fine since, useage has been fairly regular. Anyway today I attempted to start the car (to take it for a service ironically ) and its the same old story, all i'm getting is "click" and nothing else. The car was used the day before yesterday. So i'm thinking, either the battery is flat again or its the starter motor contacts (but seems unlikley as was working fine before). What would be the best way to check to see if the battery is flat, and if so, does this mean there is an electrical problem somewhere to drain a brand new battery in two days? What would be the best way to go about diagnosing what the problem may be? Any help would be greatly appreciated, cheers James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanM Posted September 12, 2007 Share Posted September 12, 2007 Check the output from the alternator Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carl0s Posted September 12, 2007 Share Posted September 12, 2007 To check battery current drain whilst the car is off you'd need to stick a multimeter set to amps (ammeter) in-line (series) with one of the battery cables. Duff starter contacts will be intermittant. I put up with mine for a few months before I decided I'd had enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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