Ahhhh.....first non-starting moment – help please!

[da_murphster]

The mk1 has been garaged for about 6 weeks plugged into a trickle charger, BUT I did leave the boot open and hence the boot light on.

Went to start it today and the internal lights went a bit hey-wire and when I went to crack it....nothing, no starter motor sound at all.
Turned alarm on and off etc – everything inside the cars seems fine – voltage reading as 11.5v but nothing.

Connected it up for a jump start (to my 2litre Clio) – made no difference.
It makes the gurgling sounds (fuel pump priming?) when you turn the key initially.

Any ideas? Wanted it for a long jaunt tomorrow.

First time in 2 years it has let me down.....goes to show they work better with regular use.

It shouldn't be the batt as it was on trickle but if I was to buy a new one - would this do....

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...

mytuscan says to use 096R Varta Blue Dynamic 12V 74Ah but I only have access to Halfrauds now!

Is it just sulking?

[so called]

Sounds a bit starnge.
Could it simply be the starter motor solenoid.
Try knocking it with a hammer shaft or something.
Alternatively maybe a bad earth ?

How low does your voltage drop when you try to start her. I guess not much if the starter motors not kicking in.
Dont think buying a new battery will help so I'd save your money until your sure.

[da_murphster]

Grrr......this is getting worse!!

When I gave up with the car on Friday I reconnected the trickle charger, made sure all internal lights etc were off and left it.

Went back today, utterly flat battery, dispite the trickle charger.

Had to 'break' in but now I am just getting nothing at all from the car.

Reckon my AA warranty will cover this? Should I just get it dragged to APM??

[m0ssy]

It sounds like the battery is fked to me.

Jump starts can be funny on these cars, I'm not sure why.

But I have experienced the following;

At Le-Mans battery was dead after too much stereo playing the night before. Went to get a jumpstart with anderson off my mates Scooby but would not provide me with a charge. Eventually got a jump off another car forget what it was and started first time.

My Dad bought me one of those battery packs for Crimbo... and I had battery trouble recently... so popped it into the back of the car in case battery was faulty but for some reason I just cant get a decent crank from it.... got stuck at work.. one of the other Directors hooked up my anderson to his Merc and car cranked a goodun

Left the lights on once overnight so battery was flat on my drive in the morning. Asked my neighbour to give me a jump. He drove his SLK220 on the drive hooked it up... gave me a crank like being hooked up to a radio controlled car... Had a mate pop round in his white van, tried the same and it started a goodun

I will point out that each time it didn't work we both checked the slave battery and anderson connection and it seemend fine but for some reason wouldn't work...

Have you jumped from the Clio before?

Also if buying a new battery pay the extra and get an Optima.

Edited by m0ssy on Monday 26th April 16:25

[da_murphster]

Well, attempted a jump from my BMW - it struggled but did eventually start.

Ran it for 20 mins or so but the old batt did not accept a charge.

Hoping its just teh batt that is knackered and not the charging system (is there an easy way to check)

Was going to buy the Varta blue from Tayna (works out at about £90) but would like to know more about this optima red.

What battery do you need? They come in at about £160?? Does it really make a difference?

Having searched on here it seems no one agrees on 'one' battery that is correct - I'm going to take out the old one and buy the same size.