Why won't you start!? :headache:

[AlexHillTVR]

Hello fellow Pistonheaders and TVR nuts,

Still battling with this not starting issue and finally found what was draining the battery. Turned out the alternator rectifier was stuffed and a bearing was shot. So sorted that out and now the alternator is stone cold when the car is left standing. Yay!

So thought all was over, my battery according to my charger is FUL. But I go to start the car, the starter clicks and the engine turns over very very slowly.

Then all of a sudden the battery level is LO and the car will do the same thing if I try and start it again. It's like there's not enough juice getting to the starter. I just replaced the 100A fuse and with the alternator rebuild I thought it'd be fine.

Battery possibly f***ed? The headlights dim when cranking and come back up when I stop.

Help? Help!

Any ideas?

Alex

[QBee]

Easy peasy. Battery SOUNDs fooked. Just take the car to an independent tyre and battery place and get them to test it thoroughly.

Flattening does them no good whatsoever.
Average battery life is six years.
Mine seemed slow starting the car after being flattened during a period off road having an engine change, also following problems with my immobiliser flattening the battery. So i did as I suggest you do.
Their expensive tester said " bad battery" even though the voltage seemed ok. New one installed for £7 more than I could have bought one online. They even checked it was the correct version, ie the right way round in the box.
Cost was between £80 and £90 IIRC. No further issues.

[Jonny cobra]

Have you looked at the earths ???


JC

[AlexHillTVR]

You've always got the answer for me QBee!

[QBee]

Jonny C could be right, but my money's on the battery, and so long as you know somewhere you trust with proper test equipment, you have nothing to lose.

[phazed]

Jonny cobra said:

Have you looked at the earths ???


JC

Worth checking but sounds like the battery.

[QBee]

phazed said:

Jonny cobra said:

Have you looked at the earths ???


JC

Worth checking but sounds like the battery.

Good battery place you can recommend in Surreyshire, Peter?

[jojackson4]

+1 for the above
Also bad connections battery/starter / if there not good they will get hot and the resistance will get higher and the problem will get worse wich may give the flat battery symptoms

[phazed]

I use PMA, DCS or Eurocarparts.

Know what you want and fit the best available!

[Chuffmeister]

I got an E39 Varta. Loads of cranking amps, slightly larger than the original, but holds a charge for ages. cost me about £100. Strap it down in place of the original battery box. Delivered within 36 hours.