How's this for a weird one?!

[Jo Williams]

Help!

Got into the Cerb this evening having not driven it since last sunday. Tried to start it, engine turned over for a bit, then alarm chirped a couple of times and headlights came on!!?? Car will not start now, just turns over a couple of times and then the same bizarre thing happens.

I guess the battery is flat, but why is the alarming chirping and headlights comming on? Could this be something else? Will try to jump start tomorrow and see what happens.

Have a good weekend all, I hope no one elses car is possessed like mine!

Jo

[GCerbera]

Normally does this with a low battery, should be nothing to worry about.

Naturally you may just need a good charge or a new battery...or a new big fuse!

Also see here:
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=71216&f=6&h=0&hw=battery

[kojak69]

Sounds like battery to me.

[pvapour]

I would'nt bump start if if I were oyu, someone told me it could do some serious damge, duno if this is true? something to do with the cats?

Nik

[Jo Williams]

Thanks for thoughts guys, I am fairly sure it is the battery, just don't know why it makes the headlights come on?

Definately not going to 'bump' start it, but will try 'jump' starting it. I don't think bump starting any car does it much good, but jump starting it shouldn't be a problem!

Jo

[JMH99]

Jo - sure it will be fine but please check out this link before you jump start your Cerbera.
John


www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=6&h=&t=71820

[BCA]

If it runs a little lumpy (BIG understatement) once its started take it to a suitable venue and give it some in the first three gears - first time will be awful, second time will be fine, third time will be a check up and the fourth time will be remembering why you own the car...

[Wacky Racer]

pvapour said:

I would'nt bump start if if I were oyu, someone told me it could do some serious damge, duno if this is true? something to do with the cats? Nik

You should NEVER try to bump start a car with a catalytic converter

Unless you have very deep pockets......

[Tatlow]

Wacky Racer said:

pvapour said: I would'nt bump start if if I were oyu, someone told me it could do some serious damge, duno if this is true? something to do with the cats? Nik You should NEVER try to bump start a car with a catalytic converter Unless you have very deep pockets......

Plus, the first garage I used when I'd just got my Cerb tried to bump start it (fortunately it was already de-catted) and all that happened was that the back wheels dragged along the ground because the compression was too high. Makes me cringe now because they even tried it with someone sitting in the boot to weigh the back wheels down - it still dragged, even down a slope!

All part of the learning process, I tell myself!

[Jo Williams]

Tatlow said:

Wacky Racer said: pvapour said: I would'nt bump start if if I were oyu, someone told me it could do some serious damge, duno if this is true? something to do with the cats? Nik You should NEVER try to bump start a car with a catalytic converter Unless you have very deep pockets...... Plus, the first garage I used when I'd just got my Cerb tried to bump start it (fortunately it was already de-catted) and all that happened was that the back wheels dragged along the ground because the compression was too high. Makes me cringe now because they even tried it with someone sitting in the boot to weigh the back wheels down - it still dragged, even down a slope! All part of the learning process, I tell myself!

OUCH!! That doesn't sound too good!

From a quick scan of the threads mentioned, it would seem that jump starting is only a problem if you connect the batteries in series, rather than parallel. Not a clever idea to put 24V through a Cerbs electric system! Easy mistake to make I guess, but I will be careful, which is why I will do it tomorrow in daylight, and not tonight!

Thanks again,

Jo

[VYT]

Jo Williams said:

OUCH!! That doesn't sound too good! From a quick scan of the threads mentioned, it would seem that jump starting is only a problem if you connect the batteries in series, rather than parallel. Not a clever idea to put 24V through a Cerbs electric system! Easy mistake to make I guess, but I will be careful, which is why I will do it tomorrow in daylight, and not tonight! Thanks again, Jo

But you can only parallel the batteries if you remove at least one terminal. Of course it would be possible to connect +ve to -ve which would short circuit the batteries, cause a big flash, liberate some hydrogen, bit of heat etc, etc maybe even a bang.


>> Edited by VYT on Saturday 17th January 08:09

[RUSSELLM]

I had a similar problem with a recent duff battery, I think as your turning over the engine the battery has gone to near enough zero, when you release the starter, it recovers slightly & your alarm activates as though its been armed with the ignition on. The head lights coming on are part of the alarm system & this must draw enough out of the battery to make the sounder sound weird (low voltage). I think.

On the subject off bump starting, I did start mine, would be interested to know if anybody else has. Mines de catted, from what I've just read, I shan't be doing it again.

[colinc01]

definatley the battery mine has done the same thing as well

[Tatlow]

Not directly related to batteries, but rather the electrics in general - a garage I used to use were investigating a cooling fan that failed to come on at high temperature and in the process spiked the ECU which cost me £865+VAT at a local dealership to have replaced.

Later, a different garage (also which I no longer use!) managed to spike the new ECU while tinkering with the electrics. Fortunately, this time I found out you can have them reconditioned and it only cost me the 'bargain' price of £200-ish plus VAT.

Since then I have become VERY wary about the electrics! I just wish I knew about PistonHeads two years ago, I would have saved £,000's!

[BigBazza]

I'm glad you posted this about gremlins Jo, yesterday was giving a colleague a lift driving along singing the cars praises as I do, denying all reports about reliability when theres a "noise" from engine bay and she start rattling like shes got alzheimers so I pull over get out have a visual, nothing obvious so get back in ignition on but no starter....press alarm button retry same again, lock the car unlock it again press ignition drivers window goes up then she fires, drive away no shaking perfectly normal???? I realise they are all unique gremlins but anyone suffered similar is it just one of those things that will probably never happen again or is it something on its way out?