Battery going or something else - advice needed

[dlkbs1]

I have had my Chim for just over 2 weeks and so far picked it up then garaged for 9 days while on holiday, came back and wouldn't start just the dreaded click. Charged up for an hour then started, took her for a spin and then left for 2 days, again wouldn't start. Charged up overnight for 14 hours or so last night and my accumate showed a green light this morning as in fully charged. Disconnected the charger this morning and tried to start her this evening again the dreaded click and nothing. Tried a few times and then the starter motor kicked in unfortunately turned the key back before it fired. A few more clicks then success. Went for a drive for half an hour, switched off and 10 minutes later started first time.

Does this sound like a dodgy battery or something more sinister.

I have a warranty on the car and will investigate whether this is covered. Anyone on the forum from Northants, if so any recommendations for local garages.

Cheers all.

[mongoose]

Sounds more like a solenoid/starter issue to me.Does it spin quickly when it finally catches?If so then battery is probably strong.You could take a look at the connections on the starter solenoid,if these are dirty/corroded they could well give intermittent behaviour like this.

Edited by mongoose on Wednesday 26th July 20:32

[Fat Boy Chim]

I had the same problem, owned mine for 10 months now, slowly got worse, i invested in new battery, alarm and charger and several hours with an auto electrician, finally found out that the problem was the starter, apparently a common problem, if new starter is not wrapped with heat resistance can only last 1 year, due to closness to manifold,

even worse on 5ltr cars

[david beer]

The "hot start" can rear its ugly head in many ways,cooling fans on while trying to start, headlights on etc etc.It should be called "poor solenoid power supply". Put a relay back into the circuit, TVR saved a few quid by not bothering to fit it, even if your car has never failed to "crank" its a very wise move to do it before it happens, fine on a petrol forecourt, not so nice straddled a junction after stalling, not to mention the solenoid that arcs it contacts closed and burns out !! Easy to fit, free instructions.

[Big Brin]

A 'click' usually indicates that the earth has not been made. Check the earth lead from the battery where it meets 'the body'. It may be rusted/corroded. At the very least it's a cheap first check.

Rgds, Brin

[dlkbs1]

When the starter does kick in it turns perfectly well and fires within a second or so.

The vertical battery cover in the footwell has the +ve and -ve bolts that the leads are attached to, no obvious corrosion there didn't look to see where the earth wire went to the body though, Is the starter solenoid obvious to find, still waiting for Amazon to send the Bible.

David Beer, do you mean a relay at the battery to isolate it when not in use? if so where do I get the free instructions?

[crimpdoc]

I've had a very similar problem (see 'flat battery thread'). Since then I've plugged it back into the charger and the light has been on orange for about 4 or 5 days, I keep checking as I've been working in the garage alot recently. I've tried to start it twice and all seems fine now, I'm thinking maybe I hadn't got a good connection on the cig lighter socket? We'll see what happens at the weekend when I want to go for a spin.

[zumbruk]

Sounds like there are several problems, here;

- Car batteries do not like being completely flattened and then left flat ("deep discharge". Once they've been treated like this, they won't subsequently retain any
charge.

- The older they get, the easier it is to damage them by deep discharging them.

- 5 years or so is a good life for a car battery.

- Once the battery's getting on a bit, this amplifies the "hot starting" problem, since the battery voltage is reduced under load anyway, and the TVR wiring problem makes it worse.

So ...

- Buy and use a battery conditioner.

- Do not allow your battery to go completely flat. If you're going to go away for a while, either leave the conditioner connected, or disconnect the battery completely.

- As soon as your battery starts to show signs of failing to retain charge, buy a new one.

- Fit the Mod-Wise "hot starting" mod.

[M@H]

To me this sounds just like the pre-engager in the starter motor is sticking. You can fix this DIY with a removal, general clean & WD40, and replacement. The fact that it won't start at all, then 10 minutes later it will turn over fine clearly suggests it is not a battery problem.

Edited by M@H on Thursday 27th July 14:41

Edit: Here was my experience of this:
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=8&t=48535

Edited by M@H on Thursday 27th July 14:47

[Podie]

Mine took a while to turn over in the winter in Jan / Feb 2005... and was having difficulty starting when hot. Put a new battery in and problem solved...

[dlkbs1]

Matt,

Thanks for your advice, the more I read on the subject the more it sounds as you describe. I have checked the warranty and it covers virtually everything including starter motor so hopefully get a pro to do it this time.