Help - car won't start

[FunkyGibbon]

Had a quick search but didn't find exactly what I'm after.

So, up until yesterday all was well with the chim - drove beautifully. Started first time every time, on an accumate.

This morning I get in the car.

Disengage immobiliser, key in, key turn, fuel pump whirs as usual. next turn, nothing - zilch. Apart from I can here a relay in the footwell when I crank the key. Turn off key - here a buzz behind dash. Take key out after 2 seconds here a clunk from behind key barrel. (This may have happened all the time, but first time I've noticed.

I've had a flat battery before, and it usually makes some attempt to start - but in this case no attempt to start apart from a clicking relay.

It's back on charge in case it is a dead battery. But what else could cause this?


TIA before I call the AA

[Zeb74]

Try a jump start if you have another car nearby, if it starts this is certainly your battery (how old it is?).
If not, could be your starter, try to hit it (not too much but not too softly neither) or check the state of the connectors (someone here recently called the AAA who just cleaned those connectors).

[glow worm]

Try putting in 4th gear and rocking the car back and forth, if its the starter jammed... Only a temp fix if it works

[Hedgehopper]

Have you tried turning the headlights on to check for a flat battery?

[FunkyGibbon]

Hedgehopper said:

Have you tried turning the headlights on to check for a flat battery?

Yep lights work ok

[Paul Goldstar]

Does the immobiliser work on the ignition circuit as well as the fuel pump? Could that be causing the problem? I’m sure I’ve read the original is a PIA

[Colin RedGriff]

The original alarm does isolate both the ECU and starter. The starter isolation circuit is a regualr source of problems caused by the way the factory wired it up.

You can wire direct from the ignotion to the starter solenoid as a bypass.

Dave at HF solutions is very good with the TVR alarm.immobiliser

http://www.hf-solutions.co.uk/home/4586165669

[FunkyGibbon]

It should not be the alarm/immobiliser as I had that all ripped out and upgraded by Carl Baker a few years back.

[Classic Chim]

Have you tried a fully charged battery yet.
Even slightly drained batteries seem to play havoc with these cars electrical systems.

[Zeb74]

Classic Chim said:

Have you tried a fully charged battery yet.
Even slightly drained batteries seem to play havoc with these cars electrical systems.

Or a jump start like I was suggesting :-)

[Classic Chim]

Zeb74 said:

Or a jump start like I was suggesting :-)

Yeah

[FunkyGibbon]

Classic Chim said:

Yeah

Will try jump start at the weekend.

Thanks all.