Chimaera won't crank - battery advice

[THEDAVINATOR]

Hi everyone,

I decided that May would be the month that I'd start using my Chim this year. I hasn't been started for a while, but started fine last time it did, which would have been a few months ago.

It won't crank (I've done the immobiliser bypass successfully). The lights on the dash dim slightly when I turn the key fully, and I can hear the fuel pump, but she won't start. The battery is a 72 type 60 550a - it's lead acid and about 18 months old, but has had very very little use in terms of alternator charge, having only been charged up periodically by a normal battery charger, and then by battery conditioner since about a few months ago. It's never totally discharged, but it's got fairly low before. The green blob is showing indicating it's "healthy" however. I also tried to start it with the battery that came with the car when I bought it - history unknown and older, obviously. Green blob health indicator also showing - same thing, it won't crank.

Does the battery for RV8 TVRs have to be in absolutely tip top condition to start the car? If I need to get a new battery would AGM be the way to go? Whatever battery I buy would be topped up almost constantly with my recently acquired battery conditioner.

[Loubaruch]

When you say "it will not crank" is it trying or completely dead? Can you hear the solenoid clicking in but not turning the starter?

[Zeb74]

You can try with the 2 batteries in parallel, but if the indicator is green, you should at least hear the starter turning (and potentially slowing down quickly and not managing to start the engine).
If you hear the solenoid, try to hit a bit the starter body with a wooden piece, it could be stuck.

[Belle427]

If your happy the battery is good then the first thing to check is that the battery terminals are on properly, clean and tight.
If that looks ok then check the cable to the solenoid at the starter is also clean and tight.

[THEDAVINATOR]

Hi, yes, when I turn the key fully, there's no clicking noise from the solenoid, nothing - not a sausage. The 2 dash lights dim slightly, but that's it.

Both batteries are showing as healthy. My chim has the hot start problem which I need to address, but I've never had this problem from cold...

I'll clean up all the battery connections and see if that helps. If I wired the batteries in parallel, this would mean I would connect the + of one battery to the - of the other, then connect the remaining + and - to the car?

Edited by THEDAVINATOR on Thursday 1st May 09:23

[gavgavgav]

Belle427 said:

If your happy the battery is good then the first thing to check is that the battery terminals are on properly, clean and tight.
If that looks ok then check the cable to the solenoid at the starter is also clean and tight.

Another quick and simple check is to run a jump lead form the -ve terminal of the battery and connect directly to the engine somewhere. This bypasses any battery earthing issue that can happen behind the dash.