Have I been done ? Just brought 2nd car from dealer :-(
Discussion
Sorry for the newbie post, but yesterday paid 3G for a Honda Civic 02 from a dealer (yes I know but it has full Honda service history, service stamps, under 70k and had new cam belt replaced a few years ago, it's immaculate !).
Problem is that it was driven back from dealer, parked up on private road (has 3 months m.o.t but no tax so going to post office Tom, am insured thought !).
Went to start it 30 mins ago and it won't start !, dash lights come on as per normal, but when you turn the key to fully start a quick clinking sound comes from the engine and it doesn't turn over ! A friend has said it could be the battery (but how come key fob works and lights flash ok ?) or could be starter motor ?
What is annoying me is the dealer took off 200 in a deal (£3G was top of my budget but they had it for £3,200 so no tax was provided) and only 3 months m.o.t.
Have I been had or is it a dead battery / starter motor / me being a newbie ?
Problem is that it was driven back from dealer, parked up on private road (has 3 months m.o.t but no tax so going to post office Tom, am insured thought !).
Went to start it 30 mins ago and it won't start !, dash lights come on as per normal, but when you turn the key to fully start a quick clinking sound comes from the engine and it doesn't turn over ! A friend has said it could be the battery (but how come key fob works and lights flash ok ?) or could be starter motor ?
What is annoying me is the dealer took off 200 in a deal (£3G was top of my budget but they had it for £3,200 so no tax was provided) and only 3 months m.o.t.
Have I been had or is it a dead battery / starter motor / me being a newbie ?
Battery is certainly the first port of call. You'll often still get dash lights when the battery doesn't hold enough power to start the engine, and the noise you refer to is the starter trying to engage but not being able to turn the engine over. Easily proven with a set of jump leads and another car to start from.
Dealer would be expected to replace the battery without quibble under these circumstances.
Dealer would be expected to replace the battery without quibble under these circumstances.
AceOfHearts said:
Probably starter motor or solenoid. Try starting it whilst tapping the starter motor with a broom handle. This sometimes frees up the starter motor and lets it turn.
ETAIt also could be the battery, it doesn't take a lot of juice to run the lights, but it does to start a car.
Try jump starting it
The only way to find out is to contact the dealer. If they prevaricate then you may have been.
Probably the battery, bad contacts, starter motor or similar fault. I think the AA etc is your starting point.
Good luck it may be an easy fix. I will be interested to see what the dealer says.
Probably the battery, bad contacts, starter motor or similar fault. I think the AA etc is your starting point.
Good luck it may be an easy fix. I will be interested to see what the dealer says.
Lol certainly not a hippy hoppie dude or dudess, just a total auto newbie that is now getting a ear full from the Mrs as I choose the car and went for one with full honda service history ! So I need to dig myself out of the whole per SE !
I have just put on a battery pack extream charger thingy onto the battery in the car that a neighbour gave me so will leave it over night to see If that helps but I don't feel I should have to bang the starter motor with a hammer or buy a new battery when I have just paid £3,000 or am I expecting too much ? (Looking at the bargin basement thread i am starting to feel I've been had !)
Thank you for the replies so far will call the dealer tomorrow as not a happy bunny
I have just put on a battery pack extream charger thingy onto the battery in the car that a neighbour gave me so will leave it over night to see If that helps but I don't feel I should have to bang the starter motor with a hammer or buy a new battery when I have just paid £3,000 or am I expecting too much ? (Looking at the bargin basement thread i am starting to feel I've been had !)
Thank you for the replies so far will call the dealer tomorrow as not a happy bunny
"Auto newbie" as in new to cars or new to automatic cars?
If you're new to automatics check the car is properly in park. Ignition on, foot on brake, move the lever through the box back to park and check it's firmly in.
If the"auto newbie" means new to cars in general have you tried starting it with the clutch pedal depressed? A lot of cars have an immobilser built into the pedal.
If you're new to automatics check the car is properly in park. Ignition on, foot on brake, move the lever through the box back to park and check it's firmly in.
If the"auto newbie" means new to cars in general have you tried starting it with the clutch pedal depressed? A lot of cars have an immobilser built into the pedal.
If the battery turns out to be faulty you shouldn't replace it or spend any money on the car until you've spoken to the dealer. You've got a warranty, right? A new battery is about £65 so I suggest you let the dealer buy you one.
The battery is probably knackred but there's a small possibility that the battery will recover if you get it running and take the car for a bit of a drive.
The battery is probably knackred but there's a small possibility that the battery will recover if you get it running and take the car for a bit of a drive.
Thank for the tips on the battery, the thing is the car has been stored in side in a heated show room, so has not been in the elements, I don't know how long it has been there for or if the engine had been started but only the immobiliser or alarm red lights are flashing, would that run a battery down ? I am a newbie to cars, I man not just automatic cars but cars in gen.
Ask me about computer tech and I can bore you till the cows come home, but cars,,it's like the twilight zone ! Sorry.
Ask me about computer tech and I can bore you till the cows come home, but cars,,it's like the twilight zone ! Sorry.
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