S1 Elise won't start - sticking starter?

[mrssumner]

Hi all

Just a quick question.

Due to injury I have not run my car properly for five weeks. I did turn it over two to three weeks ago, but obviously this will have done nothing for the health of the battery...

When I went to start it last night, I turned the key in the ignition and got the usual noise of dials resetting and fuel pump priming but then just a loud "tick, tick, tick", like a stuck starter motor. The dash lights were flashing on and off while the ticking was happening.

I have tried rocking the car in gear to release the starter, but still no luck.

I take it most probable cause of failure to start is now a flatish battery rather than a stuck starter motor?

Would be grateful if someone could confirm, as I was really looking forward to getting back in the car last night!

[esselte]

I know nothing specific about the Lotus but that sounds like a classic flat battery problem...

[Strangely Brown]

mrssumner said:

I take it most probable cause of failure to start is now a flatish battery rather than a stuck starter motor?

Yes, your battery is flat. Jump-start it and it'll be fine. My car does exactly the same if I leave it for more than 3 weeks. That seems to be about the limit of Elise battery with the immobiliser on.

[mrssumner]

Strangely Brown said:

mrssumner said:

I take it most probable cause of failure to start is now a flatish battery rather than a stuck starter motor?

Yes, your battery is flat. Jump-start it and it'll be fine. My car does exactly the same if I leave it for more than 3 weeks. That seems to be about the limit of Elise battery with the immobiliser on.

Good, thanks. I have arranged a jump start for tonight. Fingers crossed!

[Strangely Brown]

mrssumner said:

Good, thanks. I have arranged a jump start for tonight. Fingers crossed!

I find that the booster vehicle (Mrs. SB's car) has to be running to provide enough juice. The first time it happened I just connected the cables across but didn't start the other car and I just got the 'tick tick tick' again. Once the other car was started it was fine. Have had to do the same thing a couple of times since.

Methinks I'm not using it enough.

Edited by Strangely Brown on Tuesday 7th July 11:30

[S Works]

You may have done for the battery, might be worth investing a few quid in a nice new one (I think the Varta's are the weapons of choice). They aren't that expensive, so if the current one's fairly old, it's a worthy investment.

[mrssumner]

Thanks, all. Got it started, didn't take much - didn't even have to rev the donor car.

I did a few motorway miles, and it even started again after a brief stop at the pub, so should be ok now.

[Pabl0]

proabably worth charging it fully.

[mrssumner]

Pabl0 said:

proabably worth charging it fully.

Oh, god, no! That means getting the battery out! Been there, done that, and it's a right PITA! I'll wait until it gives up the ghost, then put in a new one, or better still ask somebody else to put in a new one!

Anyway I'm planning a longish trip to Wales at the weekend (if my heel can stand it) - that should help the battery.

Edited by mrssumner on Wednesday 8th July 11:37

[Gad-Westy]

mrssumner said:

Pabl0 said:

proabably worth charging it fully.

Oh, god, no! That means getting the battery out! Been there, done that, and it's a right PITA! I'll wait until it gives up the ghost, then put in a new one, or better still ask somebody else to put in a new one!

Anyway I'm planning a longish trip to Wales at the weekend (if my heel can stand it) - that should help the battery.

Edited by mrssumner on Wednesday 8th July 11:37

You should be able to charge the battery in situ no problem at all. Generally speaking once a modern battery has been flattened fully, it is knackered so I'd suggest getting a new one ASAP (about £50 from Halfords). If not, take some jump leads with you to Wales.

[mrssumner]

Gad-Westy said:

You should be able to charge the battery in situ no problem at all.

Hmmm, I think I have done previously, but I think I would struggle from my first floor flat now! Mind you, I'm sure there is a power socket downstairs - and I wouldn't have to pay for the electricity then...

Gad-Westy said:

Generally speaking once a modern battery has been flattened fully, it is knackered so I'd suggest getting a new one ASAP (about £50 from Halfords). If not, take some jump leads with you to Wales.

I'm sure I've let it go completely dead before, and I mean really dead, so that not even the immobiliser/alarm would sound or disarm properly... This was a couple of years ago now... but I understand what you are saying. I'm lucky I got it back to life the first time. Thanks for the reminder on the jump leads - I think I have left them in the boot, because I did take them out with me last night, just in case... I am, of course, also in the RAC.

Since I don't use the car every day (I'm in the fortunate position where I can walk to work), I'm not going to replace the battery until I have to. Mind you, now that I've said it and knowing my luck, this will probably be on Friday evening, when the car won't start again!