Car not starting
Author
Discussion

mk08

Original Poster:

217 posts

77 months

Wednesday 10th February 2021
quotequote all
Hi
I tried to start my car. The battery seems to be ok as when I turn the key, I can see signs of different things etc on dashboard coming on, but when I turn the key to start the car, I hear clicking sound from car but dashboard goes off.

Does anyone know what is the problem with my car?
Thank you.

Deranged Rover

4,689 posts

104 months

Wednesday 10th February 2021
quotequote all
Battery.

It takes a hell of a lot more current to start the car than it does to light the warning lights!

Clarkedontgo

316 posts

89 months

Wednesday 10th February 2021
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Yip what he says

aka_kerrly

12,506 posts

240 months

Wednesday 10th February 2021
quotequote all
Your battery is below 12v whilst attempting to crank the engine over. The cold weather will kill a weak battery!!

It would seem that you have enough power to turn on the dashboard display but as soon as the starter motor draws power the battery drops below 12v - the clicking you hear is likely to be the ECU or fuel pump relay trying to operate.

Time for some jump leads/ charger then once it's running a multi meter across the battery terminals to ensure you are getting OVER 13v , this will prove that your alternator is not at fault.


cuprabob

19,758 posts

244 months

Wednesday 10th February 2021
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Another vote for it being the battery...

parabolica

7,017 posts

214 months

Wednesday 10th February 2021
quotequote all
Battery is the first thing to check; if it turns out your battery is good, next item is the starter motor.

When you hear clicking - is it one single click? Or continuous, rapid clicking? The first is likely to mean a bad starter motor; the second is likely to mean a dying battery.

mk08

Original Poster:

217 posts

77 months

Wednesday 10th February 2021
quotequote all
parabolica said:
Battery is the first thing to check; if it turns out your battery is good, next item is the starter motor.

When you hear clicking - is it one single click? Or continuous, rapid clicking? The first is likely to mean a bad starter motor; the second is likely to mean a dying battery.
When I turn the key and hold it turned, I hear constant clicking.

Pothole

34,367 posts

312 months

Wednesday 10th February 2021
quotequote all
mk08 said:
parabolica said:
Battery is the first thing to check; if it turns out your battery is good, next item is the starter motor.

When you hear clicking - is it one single click? Or continuous, rapid clicking? The first is likely to mean a bad starter motor; the second is likely to mean a dying battery.
When I turn the key and hold it turned, I hear constant clicking.
Your battery is flat.

mk08

Original Poster:

217 posts

77 months

Wednesday 10th February 2021
quotequote all
Pothole said:
mk08 said:
parabolica said:
Battery is the first thing to check; if it turns out your battery is good, next item is the starter motor.

When you hear clicking - is it one single click? Or continuous, rapid clicking? The first is likely to mean a bad starter motor; the second is likely to mean a dying battery.
When I turn the key and hold it turned, I hear constant clicking.
Your battery is flat.
Thank you for replying. Can you recommend a cheap portable jump starter?

E-bmw

13,513 posts

182 months

Wednesday 10th February 2021
quotequote all
Your battery will still be fooked, listen to what you have been told.

While a jump starter may start your car, the battery will still be pretty stuffed.

Captain Answer

1,376 posts

217 months

Wednesday 10th February 2021
quotequote all
Did we say the battery was knackered yet and it needs replacing??

Pothole

34,367 posts

312 months

Wednesday 10th February 2021
quotequote all
mk08 said:
Pothole said:
mk08 said:
parabolica said:
Battery is the first thing to check; if it turns out your battery is good, next item is the starter motor.

When you hear clicking - is it one single click? Or continuous, rapid clicking? The first is likely to mean a bad starter motor; the second is likely to mean a dying battery.
When I turn the key and hold it turned, I hear constant clicking.
Your battery is flat.
Thank you for replying. Can you recommend a cheap portable jump starter?
Loads on Wish. Perfect if you don't need the car for a month. Buy a new battery.

Brian_996TT

111 posts

126 months

Wednesday 10th February 2021
quotequote all
buy jump leads and use another car that’s running to start yours. Chance are lack of use and cold weather can discharge a battery.

Hatson

2,098 posts

152 months

Wednesday 10th February 2021
quotequote all
Brian_996TT said:
buy jump leads and use another car that’s running to start yours. Chance are lack of use and cold weather can discharge a battery.
This, give it a good run, if it doesn’t start the next day go and buy a new battery. If battery is 5 or 6 years old get your money ready for the new battery now! laugh

mk08

Original Poster:

217 posts

77 months

Wednesday 10th February 2021
quotequote all
Hatson said:
Brian_996TT said:
buy jump leads and use another car that’s running to start yours. Chance are lack of use and cold weather can discharge a battery.
This, give it a good run, if it doesn’t start the next day go and buy a new battery. If battery is 5 or 6 years old get your money ready for the new battery now! laugh
This battery came with the car, I bought this car 6 months ago. Breakdown cover came and started the battery but connecting his portable battery wires to my battery. He said if it happens again, buy a new battery.

This is the battery in my car.


Clifford Chambers

29,043 posts

213 months

Wednesday 10th February 2021
quotequote all
mk08 said:
Hatson said:
Brian_996TT said:
buy jump leads and use another car that’s running to start yours. Chance are lack of use and cold weather can discharge a battery.
This, give it a good run, if it doesn’t start the next day go and buy a new battery. If battery is 5 or 6 years old get your money ready for the new battery now! laugh
This battery came with the car, I bought this car 6 months ago. Breakdown cover came and started the battery but connecting his portable battery wires to my battery. He said if it happens again, buy a new battery.

This is the battery in my car.

As Clint Eastwood would say..........................

Deranged Rover

4,689 posts

104 months

Wednesday 10th February 2021
quotequote all
Clifford Chambers said:
As Clint Eastwood would say..........................
"In this world there's two kinds of people, my friend. The ones with loaded guns and the ones who dig. You dig."

Although I’m not sure what that’s got to do with the OP’s battery...

wink

Clifford Chambers

29,043 posts

213 months

Wednesday 10th February 2021
quotequote all
Deranged Rover said:
Clifford Chambers said:
As Clint Eastwood would say..........................
"In this world there's two kinds of people, my friend. The ones with loaded guns and the ones who dig. You dig."

Although I’m not sure what that’s got to do with the OP’s battery...

wink
"This kind of certainty happens once in a lifetime"

Thats What She Said

1,180 posts

118 months

Wednesday 10th February 2021
quotequote all
Clifford Chambers said:
As Clint Eastwood would say..........................
Right turn Clyde?

CopperBolt

965 posts

97 months

Wednesday 10th February 2021
quotequote all
Clifford Chambers said:
As Clint Eastwood would say..........................
Do you feel lucky punk?