HELP!

[dave_p]

I've just been to start the Chim up and I'm getting a noise that can only be described as a machine gun noise. The car will not fire at all....I started it up the other day and it was fine. The noise seems to be coming from the plenum, and if I place my hand on it I can feel it vibrate with the noise. It sounds like something not engaging properly.

Any help would be good.
Regards
Dave

[the dodger]

STOP! That's the starter solenoid trying to throw the pinion into the ring gear. It hasn't quite got enough volts and cannot engage so it springs back. Sounds like you need some more volts in your battery or the starter is on it's way out.

Try it with your headlamps on, if they dim when trying to start it's your battery.

[dave_p]

Cheers The Dodger!

The lights went dim when I tried it... so it must be the battery, one other question is it ok to charge the battery whilst in the car without disconnecting the leads?

Cheers
Dave

[ashwortp]

I've had the same problem Dave, checked out my battery and alternator, all O.K. I have a trickle charger which I can plugin when she's in my garage but people have been comming round and I've been starting it so they can here the roar, and I havent had it plugged in. After charging it for an hour it started OK. I think the cold weather, Alarm & Tracker may also take a lot out of the battery when it's stood for a while.

[dave_p]

ashwortp said:

I've had the same problem Dave, checked out my battery and alternator, all O.K. I have a trickle charger which I can plugin when she's in my garage but people have been comming round and I've been starting it so they can here the roar, and I havent had it plugged in. After charging it for an hour it started OK. I think the cold weather, Alarm & Tracker may also take a lot out of the battery when it's stood for a while.

Cheers!
Do you know if its ok for me to charge while in the car and leads attached..until i can buy the plug in charger for it?

Thanks for the replies..happy new year to you all!

Dave

[hut49]

That's probably the original battery - mine's a 99 vintage too and it started failing to hold a charge despite regular use, even with a trickle charge. Quite soon it falls off the edge and so I'd recommend a new battery - this time of the year it will catch you out at the most inconvenient time.

In answer to your question - I did charge the battery while still connected (with the windows open to avoid build up of gas). Just be careful not to short the ECU or other precious items lurking in the footwell.

[dave_p]

OK - charged battery up in-situ on a trickle charge, but now the car will not fire..it's trying to but will not catch. I have tried quite a few times but it's having none of it, Is it possible I have flooded the engine? or worse done damage to the ECU? it's never done this before prior to having the flat battery.

Any help would be good.

Dave

[shpub]

May need to replace the spark plugs! If they are wet, drying out/cleaning usually is a waste of time and a newt set is often the best option.

steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk

[dave_p]

Finally the car has started this morning...took a while for the engine to catch but now she seems to be fine!

Thanks to the people who gave their advice..best wishes.

Dave