Intermittent Failure to Start
Discussion
My Jaguar X-Type is failing to start, but on an intermittent basis.
When it fails to start it catches first click if hooked up to a battery jump starter pack. Its mostly after cold nights that this occurs so perhaps the battery is just on its way out.
However, I had the MoT done last week and told them it probably needs a new battery - they tested it and found it to be at 12.9V and 80% starting capacity (whatever that means) and they told me I don't need a new battery.
Fast forward to this morning when it fails again, it started fine from cold, but after driving to the petrol station it wouldn't start after i'd filled up. Jump started fine (away from the pumps!!).
I need a new battery don't I, or would you check something else first given that they said its at almost full voltage and charge capacity?
When it fails to start it catches first click if hooked up to a battery jump starter pack. Its mostly after cold nights that this occurs so perhaps the battery is just on its way out.
However, I had the MoT done last week and told them it probably needs a new battery - they tested it and found it to be at 12.9V and 80% starting capacity (whatever that means) and they told me I don't need a new battery.
Fast forward to this morning when it fails again, it started fine from cold, but after driving to the petrol station it wouldn't start after i'd filled up. Jump started fine (away from the pumps!!).
I need a new battery don't I, or would you check something else first given that they said its at almost full voltage and charge capacity?
trickywoo said:
Is the failing to start not turning over or turning over slowly? Or does it turn over but not start until its jumped?
Non battery related starting problems are commonly down to cam position sensor issues (also sometimes crank sensors).
Nothing happens. Dash lights come on, when you engage the key it just clicks. Hook up battery pack and it fires first time.Non battery related starting problems are commonly down to cam position sensor issues (also sometimes crank sensors).
Battery is probably on it's last legs in that case. Once they've been flattened badly once, they don't recharge well, the voltage of 12.9 is too low if this was taken whilst the car was idling, it should be around the 13.3 - 13.9 volt mark.
I'd get a replacement battery, but also investigate the alternator as well. Multitruck do a testing service for alternators to determine if they're not working correctly.
This was the same fault as my BMW 325i and it turned out to be a worn out brush set and a duff voltage regulator, after a test and a replacement at Multitruck for the pricely sum of... £14 instead of £150 solved all the charging issues, but it'd killed my battery too, so had to get one, Euro Car parts were reasnonable at £69 for a Bosch Silvertop Battery.
I'd get a replacement battery, but also investigate the alternator as well. Multitruck do a testing service for alternators to determine if they're not working correctly.
This was the same fault as my BMW 325i and it turned out to be a worn out brush set and a duff voltage regulator, after a test and a replacement at Multitruck for the pricely sum of... £14 instead of £150 solved all the charging issues, but it'd killed my battery too, so had to get one, Euro Car parts were reasnonable at £69 for a Bosch Silvertop Battery.
Sf_Manta said:
Battery is probably on it's last legs in that case. Once they've been flattened badly once, they don't recharge well, the voltage of 12.9 is too low if this was taken whilst the car was idling, it should be around the 13.3 - 13.9 volt mark.
I'd get a replacement battery, but also investigate the alternator as well. Multitruck do a testing service for alternators to determine if they're not working correctly.
This was the same fault as my BMW 325i and it turned out to be a worn out brush set and a duff voltage regulator, after a test and a replacement at Multitruck for the pricely sum of... £14 instead of £150 solved all the charging issues, but it'd killed my battery too, so had to get one, Euro Car parts were reasnonable at £69 for a Bosch Silvertop Battery.
Where/What is this magical Multitruck place? I'd get a replacement battery, but also investigate the alternator as well. Multitruck do a testing service for alternators to determine if they're not working correctly.
This was the same fault as my BMW 325i and it turned out to be a worn out brush set and a duff voltage regulator, after a test and a replacement at Multitruck for the pricely sum of... £14 instead of £150 solved all the charging issues, but it'd killed my battery too, so had to get one, Euro Car parts were reasnonable at £69 for a Bosch Silvertop Battery.
Chris71 said:
Can we have some sort of wiki to document this happening to cars other than TVRs and Alfas?
On a more constructive note - it could be the solenoid going in the starter motor. Sometimes they're almost seized, but a bit more current from a jump battery will overcome that.
...Or a hammer. On a more constructive note - it could be the solenoid going in the starter motor. Sometimes they're almost seized, but a bit more current from a jump battery will overcome that.
Oh the joys of 80's Fords...
I'd say
Lights going dim/dash resetting and click = Dead battery
Engine going click with no effect on other electrics = Dodgy earth
Alternatively, if the lights aren't going dim, try having a few goes at it, if it suddenly turns over without assistance then the solenoid in the starter is knackered.
Lights going dim/dash resetting and click = Dead battery
Engine going click with no effect on other electrics = Dodgy earth
Alternatively, if the lights aren't going dim, try having a few goes at it, if it suddenly turns over without assistance then the solenoid in the starter is knackered.
This sort of thing happened to my Bora.
It turned out to the strap that goes between the solanoid on the starter and the actual starter motor. Replaced that and it started fine!
As others have said, dodgy earth, dodgy/loose terminals would be my first port of call. Try disconnecting the battery, clean the connections on it and the starter. Give everything a good clean and see how you get on - you might spot something out of place whilst you are doing this.
At least then you will know you have tried everything if you do need a new battery (Try costco - cheap)
It turned out to the strap that goes between the solanoid on the starter and the actual starter motor. Replaced that and it started fine!
As others have said, dodgy earth, dodgy/loose terminals would be my first port of call. Try disconnecting the battery, clean the connections on it and the starter. Give everything a good clean and see how you get on - you might spot something out of place whilst you are doing this.
At least then you will know you have tried everything if you do need a new battery (Try costco - cheap)
I'm guessing your X-type is around 5 years old? If it is, then it needs a new battery, no ifs or buts.
Had the same problem on my Mondeo. Went to start it, nothing. Boosted it, changed it, ran for 3 or 4 days, then flat again. Boosted again, charged, another 3 or 4 days and dead. New battery for £41, 6 months on and not a problem.
Had the same problem on my Mondeo. Went to start it, nothing. Boosted it, changed it, ran for 3 or 4 days, then flat again. Boosted again, charged, another 3 or 4 days and dead. New battery for £41, 6 months on and not a problem.
hardcorehobbit said:
Sf_Manta said:
Battery is probably on it's last legs in that case. Once they've been flattened badly once, they don't recharge well, the voltage of 12.9 is too low if this was taken whilst the car was idling, it should be around the 13.3 - 13.9 volt mark.
I'd get a replacement battery, but also investigate the alternator as well. Multitruck do a testing service for alternators to determine if they're not working correctly.
This was the same fault as my BMW 325i and it turned out to be a worn out brush set and a duff voltage regulator, after a test and a replacement at Multitruck for the pricely sum of... £14 instead of £150 solved all the charging issues, but it'd killed my battery too, so had to get one, Euro Car parts were reasnonable at £69 for a Bosch Silvertop Battery.
Where/What is this magical Multitruck place? I'd get a replacement battery, but also investigate the alternator as well. Multitruck do a testing service for alternators to determine if they're not working correctly.
This was the same fault as my BMW 325i and it turned out to be a worn out brush set and a duff voltage regulator, after a test and a replacement at Multitruck for the pricely sum of... £14 instead of £150 solved all the charging issues, but it'd killed my battery too, so had to get one, Euro Car parts were reasnonable at £69 for a Bosch Silvertop Battery.
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