Battery woes?

[Conor D]

My battery seems to have went flat (Sealed battery for MX5), if I put it in the car it will turn on the electronics but when I turn the key there's a click and nothing happens. This has happened before when the battery connection was loose, but now if I take it off the car and onto the charger the "charged - maintaining" light comes on as if the battery is already fully charged?

In the past an amber light would come on to say the battery is being charged.. How long should it take before there's enough charge to start the car?

[Mr2Mike]

Conor D said:

My battery seems to have went flat

"have went"? Really?

It's quite possible the battery is charged but you have a bad connection on the starter motor solenoid, or indeed a duff starter motor.

[TheHeretic]

Earth wire?

[c123]

If the battery is OK and the car’s on level ground put it in 1st and try and push it forwards (with the handbrake off obviously) then put it in reverse and try and push it backwards. You shouldn’t be able to move the car but now try and start it.

[AmitG]

Mr2Mike said:

Conor D said:

My battery seems to have went flat

"have went"? Really?

It's quite possible the battery is charged but you have a bad connection on the starter motor solenoid, or indeed a duff starter motor.

Agree. From the OP's description, he/she can't even hear the engine turning over. This suggests the battery isn't even trying. This, plus the other evidence to indicate the battery has sufficient charge, would lead me to suspect an electrical problem.

OP - put the headlights on full, then try starting. Do the headlights dim?

[Conor D]

AmitG said:

Agree. From the OP's description, he/she can't even hear the engine turning over. This suggests the battery isn't even trying. This, plus the other evidence to indicate the battery has sufficient charge, would lead me to suspect an electrical problem.

OP - put the headlights on full, then try starting. Do the headlights dim?

I got it started. I turned on the lights, and turned the key to start the engine and everything died. I opened the boot and pressed down the battery connections, and the lights came back on - Turned the key again, and the car started.

I'm guessing it could just be the battery connections.. I'll have to secure the cables/battery better and see if that takes care of it.