Starting problem - much clicking, no starting..
Discussion
Have a Lumina SS over here in Dubai which is the ME version of the Monaro and after a new battery and a starter motor, I got a couple of days of short runs before it refused to start this morning..
Other than each of these being on the way out, (and replaced before they failed), I don't think there were any issues, yet this morning the alarm sounded when I went to get into the car and it wouldn't start - lots of clicking, (sounded like from the dash), didn't even attempt to turn or fire. I may have left the headlights in the auto position when I got home last night, but I'm sure I'd have noticed if they didn't switch off when I locked the car. Feels like a battery drain issue though from new to flat in maybe 9 hours with no obvious signs, (lights on) seems odd..
Any ideas?
Other than each of these being on the way out, (and replaced before they failed), I don't think there were any issues, yet this morning the alarm sounded when I went to get into the car and it wouldn't start - lots of clicking, (sounded like from the dash), didn't even attempt to turn or fire. I may have left the headlights in the auto position when I got home last night, but I'm sure I'd have noticed if they didn't switch off when I locked the car. Feels like a battery drain issue though from new to flat in maybe 9 hours with no obvious signs, (lights on) seems odd..
Any ideas?
I'm surprised that you have changed the starter motor. Battery and then alternator would be my next suspect.
Anyway, have you measured the voltage across the battery? If the battery is still fully charged, you may find that an earth strap hasn't been reattached correctly, or there's a bad connection on a terminal somewhere.
Anyway, have you measured the voltage across the battery? If the battery is still fully charged, you may find that an earth strap hasn't been reattached correctly, or there's a bad connection on a terminal somewhere.
BUCKLE vxgts said:
As you have already mention about leaving lights on overnight. Clicking all means flat battery, Charged up the battery and see what happens.
Yep agree - clicking from behind the dash definitely battery. Do you have a tracker fitted because they are notorious for draining the battery.Battery needed changing a few weeks ago as it was failing, (they last a year, maybe 18 months in the Dubai conditions) and the starter was replaced before this happened at a regular service as it was failing.
I guess it just flattened the battery overnight though how I managed to leave the lights on without noticing I'm not sure. I could have sworn they turn off automatically when the ignition is off/doors locked/alarm set whether the switch is in the on or auto position.
Haven't managed to do any checking of voltages etc, literally found it dead then had a 10 hour stretch at work yesterday. No messages on the dash other than an ABS warning which has been popping up on starting every once in a while somewhat randomly, (brakes are fine - replaced a few months ago on regular service).
Will investigate tonight..
Thanks all..
I guess it just flattened the battery overnight though how I managed to leave the lights on without noticing I'm not sure. I could have sworn they turn off automatically when the ignition is off/doors locked/alarm set whether the switch is in the on or auto position.
Haven't managed to do any checking of voltages etc, literally found it dead then had a 10 hour stretch at work yesterday. No messages on the dash other than an ABS warning which has been popping up on starting every once in a while somewhat randomly, (brakes are fine - replaced a few months ago on regular service).
Will investigate tonight..
Thanks all..
Psychobert said:
an ABS warning which has been popping up on starting every once in a while somewhat randomly
May well just be a wheel speed sensor needs a bit of a wiggle / tightening up if it's intermittent.Good luck on the starting problem, hopefully it is just a battery thing, however annoying that might be!
my VXR8 had similar issues turned out to be a loose connection on the starter motor on the main power lug, the solenoid connection was ok hence the clicking.
if they have had the starter motor off then it may just be a missed earth strap somewhere, on mine the starter is hidden away under the manifold near the transmission.
if they have had the starter motor off then it may just be a missed earth strap somewhere, on mine the starter is hidden away under the manifold near the transmission.
I'll have a look at all the little micro switches later. I never used to leave the lights in auto, but the car park I leave it in at the flat has just started putting their lights off during the day and fining people who don't have their car lights on. I think I've been leaving the lights on auto once in a while since then. Guess it could have drained the battery over a couple of days of short runs here at the same time..
Psychobert said:
2 months later and another completely flattened battery in about 8 hours of standing overnight. Couldn't find any loose switches or other such issues so I really don't know what the problem is.. This time absolutely flat battery with no lights or any life in it at all..
You need to get an ammeter connected, check the load, and if necessary start pulling fuses to see where the fault is. If no ammeter, try Pulling a fuse a night to see if that has an effect.Its a battery drain issue I'm sure. First time it went fairly flat and I got lots of clicking but not enough power to start until it had jump leads attached. Last time it was totally flat. I locked it with the key rather than setting the alarm last night as I'm wondering if the alarm is the issue. Started ok and has done a couple of hundred KMs so far since then..
Psychobert said:
Its a battery drain issue I'm sure. First time it went fairly flat and I got lots of clicking but not enough power to start until it had jump leads attached. Last time it was totally flat. I locked it with the key rather than setting the alarm last night as I'm wondering if the alarm is the issue. Started ok and has done a couple of hundred KMs so far since then..
alarm looks like a good starting point then?007 VXR said:
alarm looks like a good starting point then?
Guess so, see if this solves the problem. The trip computer etc lost its memory, as did the clock, but the radio kept the preset stations I'd programmed. What was strange last night is that it jumped perfectly and after only 30 seconds of running I pulled the leads off, stopped it and it started again which it wouldn't have done if the battery was totally flat as it appeared. Odd electrical gremlin, but I'm used to that as I have had TVRs for years..
Needs a service now anyway..Gassing Station | HSV & Monaro | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff