Help! won't start

[AlRaven]

I just finished fitting new numberplate lamps and went to take a run on this beautiful day but when I try to start all I get is - fuel pump primes ok but just get this "machine gun" noise and nothing else, battery seems healthy, is the noise the solenoid? and what does it all mean? Where does a mechanical moron like me start?

[spend]

That sound may be a low battery, charge it up or use jump leads to check. The battery can seem OK until the big bad starter gives it a big a pull

Dave

[GreenV8S]

Make sure the battery is fully charged, if in doubt check the voltage while you're trying to start; it shouldn't dip below 9-10 Volts at the worst. If the battery is OK it may be a poor feed to the solenoid, which can be checked with a voltmeter while trying to start. Something else worth trying if you're pulling your hair out, is to just bump the engine over a little by rocking the car in gear. Sometimes this seems to help the starter gear engage.

[AlRaven]

Aaah, like an idiot I thought 'cos it was giving the solenoid a good rattling then the battery was ok. I tried it again (after trying the nudge in gear trick) and it's now totally dead, so we'll see tommorrow, cheers for now.

[spend]

My first SD1 did it & the rear wiper started going as well - I even looked round to see if it was someone playing a practical joke!

Dave

[AlRaven]

Yep, trickle charger has sorted it for now, sorry for obvious post, I think he was just a little miffed at being ignored for a week. I presume I'm still going to need a new battery soon though? (it is six years old)

[grumbledoak]

Yes, six years is old for a car battery. Especially trying to crank that V8 from cold.

After about that time mine stopped holding charge for long. Originally 2 weeks was fine, then 1 was do-able, then only a few days. A new battery will be next, I'm sure. Though if I am honest, the replacement never quite got her back to '2 weeks'.

A trickle charger will be your companion for a while, I suspect...