Renault Clio problem. Can you help?

[benjo83]

Hi guys. Got a problem with a 51 plate Clio. It won't start and won't even tick over. I
Think it might just be a flat battery but it won't jump start either and I'm confused.
Any ideas?
Cheers

[benjo83]

Well I didn't try the headlights but the dash is all lit up. The positive terminal has a protector over the top of it and another cable running off it. I'm a bit concerned it's not making a proper connection

[benjo83]

It makes a quiet click and then a sort of low Chattering noise. Any thoughts? It doesn't sound like the plugs are sparking

[benjo83]

dave328 said:

Is the earth cable still attached?

From what I can tell, everything is where it should be. However, I'm not that experienced under the bonnet so there could be something really obvious staring me in the face and I'm just missing it

[benjo83]

Eggman said:

Describe what happens when you turn the key. Does it make a click, or a chattering noise, or does the starter motor turn the engine?

Sorry, meant to also say,the engne is not turning at all. Cant hear the starter motor doing anything

[benjo83]

maniac0796 said:

Flat battery from the sounds of it.

Have a look in your handbook to see if there's any plce in particular it tells you to attach jump cables. Otherwise try a bump.

Right, the manual just says to do as you would with any jump start so at least I know I hooked it up right. Problem with a bump start is that the car is on a raised drive on a main road. I cant get it off the drive and onto the road to do the bump start without causing chaos.

Is there any way to mimic a bump start with the car stationary?

[benjo83]

Oh great. I'll just go get one from the shed haha. Think I'm just gonna have to pay someone to come and look at it. I've found the starter but can't see it moving. I'm stuck. I was fairly close to agreeing a deal with someone to buy it as well. Guess that's that one up the creek

[benjo83]

Yea, more than happy to buy a new battery but I can't be 100% certain it's the battery. That's my only concern with that

[benjo83]

Eggman said:

benjo83 said:

I've found the starter but can't see it moving. I'm stuck.

Who said anything about it moving? Its only the insides that move. A sharp tap is what it needs.

Haha, yea, now you see the amount of experience you're dealing with...d'oh!
Well I've given it a tap and nothing different is happening. However, when the dash settles down with the key in the ignition now it's just left with the service light and battery light. Guess that could be positive?

[benjo83]

maniac0796 said:

It takes very little energy to power dash lights and computer systems. It takes lots of amps to turn the starter motor.

Try flicking your wipers on. If they're slow, then the battery's died.

Ok, looks like that proved the batteries dead. My dads called a breakdown company now though and they're on the way so I'll know for sure soon.
Thanks for your help guys

[benjo83]

So turns out it was just a dead battery. Only had 4amps instead of 12. Then I stalled it getting off the drive and low and behold, it won't start again. I feel like such a tit. Can't remember the last time I stalled a car