Car won't start

[bobfredstinker]

Monaro won't start. Might be a flat battery, but don't know. It starts to fire up but then dies and just ticks quickly. Called the RAC but of course it's happened miles from home so now I'm stuck! Angry doesn't even cover it.

[bobfredstinker]

IXLR8 said:

Yeah sounds more like the battery...
Check to see if the cable terminals on the battery aren't loose first... Fingers crossed

I don't think they are, since the stereo and electric windows still work. RAC still haven't turned up though.

[bobfredstinker]

Aaaaaaand the RAC STILL haven't turned up. Goodo.

[bobfredstinker]

EmmaJ said:

Is your battery relocated to the boot? Could be it's too hot, as this is exactly what happens to mine. Hope you get sorted soon...

Em x

Thanks Emma. Nah, it's in the normal place.

[bobfredstinker]

Hi guys, thanks for the messages. The RAC guy finally turned up (3hrs after my call!) and got out his heavy duty leads, plugged it into the battery and it started straight away! So, it was just a flat battery indeed. We had tried jumping it from a Peugeot 206, but that simply didn't have enough power to turn over a monstrous V8!

James, I have to admit that I nearly called you for help!

Jez, sorry I didn't see your message sooner, but I was in a tiny village in Dorset. I made it back to Basingstoke with no more problems, other that truly horrendous traffic. My delays have meant that I now have to go back to Portsmouth in the morning rather than tonight as I had planned. But, at least the car is alright eh! Although I did manage to set the alarm off by accident outside my house at half 9. Very embarrassing!!

[bobfredstinker]

preciousmetal said:

Gavin

no problem, should have called me, thought it would be the battery, did they replace it or just jump it for you ? need to get the charge checked if not replaced ?

JB

They just jumped it. There's nothing wrong with the battery, i had just managed to run it flat by using the blowers for a couple of minutes without the engine on. It's all fine now, and the battery is holding its charge.

[bobfredstinker]

James - indeed I have! Still loving it though! How could I not?!

Jez - don't be so cheeky!

Emma - Out of interest why have you repositioned the battery? Is it to make space for turbos or something like that? And why does it have to be in third to be bump started? The steering issue was one I had yesterday - was on a drive that would have been impossible to get off of without power steering, so no chance of pushing it (Jez!)

[bobfredstinker]

EmmaJ said:

Yep, the turbo kit reduces space under the bonnet to zilch unfortunately so the battery has been relegated to the boot.

I'd be interested to see it, perhaps at the next meet I can make it to. Never seen under the bonnet of a twin turbo Ro before, only a Nissan GT-R!

Also, since I have this thread here, anyone know why my washers won't work? The bottle is full to the top, the wipers activate, but no water comes out. Off the top of my head I can't remember if you can hear the pump or not though (I'm not near my car currently).

[bobfredstinker]

EmmaJ said:

Sure, next meet up just ask

I had this! Not sure what the Fish had done but the washer fluid pipe had been clamped under something so no screen wash could get through it. It was a five minute fix, not sure if it's likely to be the same issue you have though. I suppose check the pipe hasn't come loose and that the jets aren't clogged....

I had a look to see where the pipe went, and it seemed to disappear deep into the dark depths of the engine bay. Is it easy to get to, or do i need to get under the car?

[bobfredstinker]

EmmaJ said:

bobfredstinker said:

EmmaJ said:

Sure, next meet up just ask

I had this! Not sure what the Fish had done but the washer fluid pipe had been clamped under something so no screen wash could get through it. It was a five minute fix, not sure if it's likely to be the same issue you have though. I suppose check the pipe hasn't come loose and that the jets aren't clogged....

I had a look to see where the pipe went, and it seemed to disappear deep into the dark depths of the engine bay. Is it easy to get to, or do i need to get under the car?

I'm talking about the thin pipe that comes out near the firewall and goes up to the bonnet and ultimately to the washer nozzles. Just a thought, can you hear the motor pump going if the pull lever to fire the washer jets?

That's the problem - I'm currently nowhere near my car and won't be until Friday morning. I had a look at that pipe where I could see it and it looked fine, but like I say it disappears down into the darkest depths, so I have no idea.

[bobfredstinker]

Update to post: My car now won't start again. Nothing, not even an attempt at turning over. It then also flashes up with all sorts of warning messages about how my service is due, and I have an ABS fault, and an airbag fault, and no traction control. Even the stereo won't turn on. Despite what the RAC said the other day, I'd say I need a new battery. What are your thoughts?

[bobfredstinker]

ARAF said:

If the battery is good, then it could just be a loose terminal, or a bad connection on an earth strap.

If the battery is good, but flat, then the charging circuit needs investigating.

I don't know that much about where stuff like that is. Where do I check? I mean, obviously I know where the battery is, but I don't know what terminals to look at, or anything like that.

[bobfredstinker]

preciousmetal said:

Hi Gavin, if the battery is down on power it will confuse all the electrics, so fit new battery - size 075 and that should do the trick and re-set everything. happened to me last week on a VXR - only mileasge on dash would show, nothinhg else, new battery sorted it

regards
JAMES @ elite

Cool, thanks for the info. I will look into that, but I'm away now for a month so I will have to sort it when I get back. Where's the best place to get them from? Also, James, where do you take cars to get sprayed/touched up? I have a lot of stone chips which I want to get rid of by respraying the front end.

[bobfredstinker]

preciousmetal said:

Gavin

not sure who to use over in basingstoke, as the company i us are not that closeto you. any motor factors can supply an 075 battery, make sure you go for a good make with at least 3-5 yr warranty

JB

I don't mind if they're not that close to me. It's not that far to drive down your way...

[bobfredstinker]

Of course the other option I've seen done is a partial vinyl wrap of the very front of the car. Anyone have any experience of that?

[bobfredstinker]

Right, update to the situation.

Since my car now has a completely flat battery, I went out and bought one to replace it. Great stuff. However, because the battery has no power I can't unlock it with the remote, and the key won't unlock it either for some reason. Can anyone help? I now have a car I physically can't get into. How can I unlock it?

[bobfredstinker]

fildigger said:

Jeez Bob...this has been ongoing since August 19th !! (on here anyway) and your still locked out of the beast !!

That's because shortly after discovering that the battery was dead I had to go away for a month, which I've just got back from!

[bobfredstinker]

The beast lives!!!