Focus not starting
Discussion
Hi all,
Could do with a bit of advice.
I have a 2003 Focus 1.6. I went to use it today (for the first time in a week) and it wouldn't start. The remote central locking wouldn't work, the clock wasn't working, I turned the key and nothing happened.
Unfortunately as I'm at uni I have no friends locally with cars, nor an volt meter, or any way of charging the battery.
Fortunately I live across the road from a garage so the mechanic from there jump started the car for me. On his advice I then took it for a 20 minute spin, came home, turned it off and it started again no problem.
Later on tonight I went to try it again and had the same problem. The central locking wouldn't work, the car wouldn't start, and the clock was only working until I tried to start it.
It seems that something is draining the battery very quickly. I can't see anything obvious though, all lights have been turned off as has the radio. Even if they hadn't surely it'd take more than a few hours to drain it?
The battery was new last month, and I haven't had any problems with it until today. I've left it for long periods over Christmas and it's started on the turn of the key.
Could it be the alternator?
Any help would be appreciated before I go back to the garage tomorrow looking stupid and spending money I don't have.
Could do with a bit of advice.
I have a 2003 Focus 1.6. I went to use it today (for the first time in a week) and it wouldn't start. The remote central locking wouldn't work, the clock wasn't working, I turned the key and nothing happened.
Unfortunately as I'm at uni I have no friends locally with cars, nor an volt meter, or any way of charging the battery.
Fortunately I live across the road from a garage so the mechanic from there jump started the car for me. On his advice I then took it for a 20 minute spin, came home, turned it off and it started again no problem.
Later on tonight I went to try it again and had the same problem. The central locking wouldn't work, the car wouldn't start, and the clock was only working until I tried to start it.
It seems that something is draining the battery very quickly. I can't see anything obvious though, all lights have been turned off as has the radio. Even if they hadn't surely it'd take more than a few hours to drain it?
The battery was new last month, and I haven't had any problems with it until today. I've left it for long periods over Christmas and it's started on the turn of the key.
Could it be the alternator?
Any help would be appreciated before I go back to the garage tomorrow looking stupid and spending money I don't have.
I'd check for a light being left on in the boot but doubtful it would flatten it that quick it could be the Alternator but also look for a bad earth this would flatten the battery quickly and certainly give you most symptoms you describe as in won't start clocks etc. The earth might of been pulled loose when battery was changed worth having a look before going back.
ETA After you saying he jump started it i think it could be a bad earth as it would of been earthed thru his car did it fire over easily?
ETA After you saying he jump started it i think it could be a bad earth as it would of been earthed thru his car did it fire over easily?
Edited by glassspares on Thursday 26th January 00:18
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