Help required dead chim

[FunkyGibbon]

Hi All

Got in the car this morning as usual, alarm off, fuel pump primed, turned the key...

rat-a-tat-a-tat-a-tat-tat....

WTF!

The noise didn't sound like usual engine turning over, more like the noise F1 cars make when being started - before the engine catches (IYSWIM).

On each rat-a-tat all the lights on the dash flashed.

The car made no attempt to fire and start. Just the noise described above - which didn't sound like it was healthy for the car so I only did it twice.

Battery is not dead (I don't think) as the lights seem as bright as normal.

Alarm and immobiliser seem fine.

Fuel pump primed OK.

So does this point to some ignition - electrical problem?

Any ideas greatly welcome!

TIA

FG

(1st non-start in 3 years and 30,000 miles)

[Podie]

Give the starter a sharp smack...

[Podie]

Try starting the car with the lights on, and see if they dim... usually a sign of the battery on the way out... otherwise your starter isn't playing ball...

[Ribol]

Sounds like a flat battery, starters make the machine gun noise when there is not enough current for them to work. Battery connections?

[Podie]

Ribol said:

..., starters make the machine gun noise when there is not enough current for them to work. Battery connections?

... or if the solenoid is stuck... (often due to heat) - but in this case I tend to agree with Ribol.

[Ribol]

Podie said:

or if the solenoid is stuck....

If the solenoid was stuck it would not be making the machine gun noise, the solenoid moving is what makes that noise

[Podie]

Ribol said:

Podie said: or if the solenoid is stuck.... If the solenoid was stuck it would not be making the machine gun noise, the solenoid moving is what makes that noise

OK… contradicts what I was told by a main dealer though… they informed me if was the elctrics that made the clicking sound...

[FunkyGibbon]

cheers guys - too flat a battery kinda makes sense.

I did notice yesterday when starting up it was.

wrr,wrr,wrr,wrr, vrooom. instead of the usual

wrr,wrr, vroom.

An early indication of iminent battery failure perhaps?

I guess the battery is well over 3 years old so these things happen.

Time to dive head long into the passenger footwell then

[ChimBungee]

battery it is

Make sure you give it a good charge, it's easy to flood the engine with a nearly dead battery.

>> Edited by ChimBungee on Tuesday 22 March 10:04

[parrot of doom]

I wonder if anybody makes a battery level meter that would look right on a Chim? I've often thought there is enough room inbetween the speedo and oil gauge for another meter

Would be a blob to fit without cracking the trim though.

[Podie]

parrot of doom said:

I wonder if anybody makes a battery level meter that would look right on a Chim? I've often thought there is enough room inbetween the speedo and oil gauge for another meter Would be a blob to fit without cracking the trim though.

I had considered replacing the clock...

[Ribol]

Podie said:

contradicts what I was told by a main dealer though… they informed me if was the elctrics that made the clicking sound...

A starter solenoid has two functions. First is to move the bendix gear forward to mesh with the flywheel, second is to power up the motor windings like a big relay. Both functions are achieved at the same time in one movement.
What happens is the flat battery is strong enough to push the piston inside the solenoid forward enough to connect the motor windings up. As soon as the windings are connected the voltage drops, the solenoid can no longer be held in place due to the voltage drop and so goes back to rest. Because you are still holding the key round it tries again which keeps this thing going until the battery dies completely. Each time the piston in the solenoid reaches the end of its travel it makes a noise, when it goes to rest it makes another noise. When it keeps going backwards and forwards it makes a rat tat tat tat noise as described by FG.
The reason the heat problem with TVR starters exists is that the piston expands in the hole and therefore can’t move. When you leave it for a while, it cools and shrinks and goes back to working properly. If you strip the solenoid and clean out the sh1t(auto electrical term) in the solenoid hole and lube the piston the starter will work like any new starter.

This is what happens, not sure what your dealer had in mind

[Podie]

Ribol said:

This is what happens, not sure what your dealer had in mind

Ta, appreciate the info

Not MY dealer... given I spent 55 minutes waiting for a test drive of a Chim when I was looking... my car is fettled elsewhere now.