newbie with a starting problem...

[tvr si]

typical isn't it. been meaning to join for ages so i could introduce myself, join in the fun and games, exchange stories, feel the camaraderie and bond nicely with fellow tvr chaps and chap-esses (and maybe even get myself a spotted!). but oh no, instead i’m barging in here like a bargy thing (onion possibly) demanding help on my first post!

so, what’s the problem i here you cry?

basically, locked the car up using blipper, and went inside the house. realising i’d left something in the car i go back to it and the blipper won’t open the doors (even after several presses). using powers of the dark side i get into the car. sensing a potential problem i try and start her up. i override the immobiliser turn the ignition on, fuel pump primes, try and start her up and nothing at all, not even a whimper. turned the headlights on and i get a very dull light (possible battery problem?) got out the car and pressed the blipper, it locked and the alarm armed itself (even though the lights only just flashed). i left it for a while and then returned, unlocked it with the blipper tried starting her and got exactly the same result except the alarm went off this time too!

now the thing that makes me worry is that i have never once had a problem starting the car – first time, every time since i’ve owned it. if it is a battery problem can they just go like that? is it something more sinister? i’m going to try hooking it up to another car with jump leads at lunchtime but any suggestions in the meantime would be appreciated.

cheers,

tvr si

time goes fast, but i am faster!

[jimothy]

tvr si said:

I go fast, but green ones are faster!

[Big Al.]

Sounds like a battery problem, dim lights = no charge!

How often do you drive it?

[Podie]

Big Al. said:

Sounds like a battery problem, dim lights = no charge! How often do you drive it?

I'd agree with Big Al... sounds like a battery problem. If you try starting the car with the headlamps on, do they dim..?

[Cider Andy]

Thirded: battery! It sounds like classic symptoms of a cell going in the battery. This can happen at any time, even on new batteries, but is more likely on batteies a few years old.

However, check the battery connections are clean and secure first.

'cause that's cheaper!

[jonathant]

FWIW I've had a car battery go from seemingly fine (started the car ok) to completely dead in the space of about an hour.... The RAC chap who tested it said that one of the cells had died.

[tvr si]

big al – i drive it regularly. every friday it can be seen (but not spotted!) going from cumbria to northamptonshire or london and then the return journey on sunday with use on saturday too.

podie. yep, headlights go dim when i try to start.

if a battery cell went would it make a noise cause i remember a clicking/buzzing noise coming from passenger side footwell when i switched the ignition on after my suspicions - it didn't sound like a speaker buzzing that i sometimes get prior to start up.

thanks for the info peeps.

tvr si

time is fast, but i am faster

[Podie]

Still reckon it's the battery

I replaced mine last year... it was showing signs of going, did the headlight test and it barely started one morning. Got the battery changed at Leven, and out of curiosity we measured it... was holding a full 8 volts of charge!

Car now starts on the button... and it cured the hot-start issue I had as well...

[Cider Andy]

If a cell has failed but the battery still partially works (dim lights), it may well make a noise under load. It's an area of high electrical resistance in the cell. You may well hear a noise similar to an electric kettle just after you've switched it on. It's actually boiling acid you can hear!

[scared but happy]

www.rpc.com.au/products/batteries/accessories/hydrometer/hydrometer_faq.html
Note bubbling battery bit

>> Edited by scared but happy on Wednesday 24th August 15:31

[tvr si]

thanks for all your advice, much appreciated!

will let you know the outcome. may be a day or so before i can sort her out.

tvr si

[GTvr]

Get a new battery then invest in a Accumate battery conditioner from leven if you have a garage with a electricity supply just plug it in (via cigarette lighter socket) when not in use - Presto keeps battery fully charged and will make it last longer.

[tvr si]

Thanks all, battery it was! New one now fitted, and all's back to normal. Next purchase Accumate battery conditioner!

tvr si

[Podie]

tvr si said:

Thanks all, battery it was! New one now fitted, and all's back to normal. Next purchase Accumate battery conditioner! tvr si

Big Al and I will accept thanks by way of a pint..!

Seriously though, glad it's all sorted.

As for Accumate's contact www.leventechnology.co.uk