21 replies to this topic

[maq]

Hey all

 

I had my NA VX garaged for 3-4 weeks and the battery went a bit flat. On first start it turned over one single time, then did the famous clicky sound (I assume this is a relay?).

 

Since then I've charged the battery, tried jump starting of a spare and another car, and all I get from the car is the fuel pump priming sounds, and these relay clicks. No turn of the starter or anything further.

 

Could anyone please suggest what to look at next? Unfortunately it's stuck in a garage with no power and I don't really know what I should be checking in order.

 

Any help appreciated

 

Thanks

M.

[smiley]

Did you check the yellow relay in the boot for corrosion?

 

[maq]

I assume that's the thing making the clicking, but will check the terminals next. Everything is acting like a flat battery, but there's no starter or engine turn at all..

 

I'll check the relay, thank you.

 

Unfortunately my garage is quite a way from my house with no electric, so I'm kind of limited.. Anything else to recommend checking on my next visit?

[Zoobeef]

It may be battery connections, earth points or a stuck starter as the most common options.

 

Disconnect the battery and clean the terminals, also see if where the earth bolts to the chassis near there is tight.

try connecting a jump lead from the engine to the battery earth.

 

What's the battery power reading now it's charged? What does it read as you are trying to start?

[maq]

I don't have a battery meter handy as such, but have been using the C-Tek traffic lights style one and it gives me a green light.

 

I've just checked the starter relay, looks ok, no corrosion but hard to say much more than that without a replacement to try. I think I might have one of those cigarette lighter volt meters somewhere, so will try dig that out.

 

I'll try the jump lead trick on the engine on my next visit, I'm also getting my laptop charged for Opcom but not overly expecting it to be helpful

 

Thanks for the help so far, I fear it might be the starter motor in this instance

[Zoobeef]

Opcom will give you battery voltage

[maq]

Ok, cool, will check Opcom for that when I do a scan later.. 

 

Can I assume that failure to turn over even when jump starting would rule out the battery being the issue?

[Andrew aka Stuwy]

do you know where the clicking is coming from?

[maq]

I don't 100% but I assumed it was the relay clicking or similar.

 

Just looked on youtube and is sounds like this, from one of our other forum members

 

Happens when jump starting too, this is literally as far as it gets hence I can't imagine the battery is the issue if we're trying to jump off another car.

 

Edited by maq, 24 April 2018 - 11:58 AM.

[Andrew aka Stuwy]

that sounds more like a sticky starter to me..

 

too loud a thuddy for the usual tinny relay click, unless it was filmed in a acoustic garage...

 

Try and roll it in gear a few times, make sure you pop it back out of gear before you try and push the button

[maq]

Will give that a go, thank you... I'll record mine later, I know what you mean about the acoustics on this clip.. Mine is a less harsh version of the above but essentially the same thing

 

Search appears to be broken on the site, any idea how much trouble fitting a new starter might be (should it come to that) ?

[Andrew aka Stuwy]

its a pta...

 

but listening again... its hard to say

[maq]

Oh dear.. clam off job?

[maq]

Just tried rocking it back and forth in gear.. Managed to get one turn out of it before it gave up again

 

Now back to just the clicking and dashboard lights flashing in rhythm.. Does the fact I got one turn out of it suggest everything up to the starter motor is most likely functioning?

[Zoobeef]

Sounds like battery or connections.

[maq]

I'll go over all the connections and double check them.

 

 

I'd think I can rule out the battery, given jump starting adds no benefit? I'll take it off an put it on a full charge again to be sure, but to me the fact that jump starts adds no improvement suggests the battery is ok, am I missing something?

Edited by maq, 24 April 2018 - 01:46 PM.

[siztenboots]

is the earth connection in the battery bay okay?

[Andrew aka Stuwy]

When you rocked it in gear you said the starter turned once but now wont again?

 

have you tried bump starting the car?

[maq]

I've not tried bump starting, as I've been on my own so far... Doing one more round of battery connection & earth checks and another overnight charge, then will consider that as the next option.

[CKR]

Hi Martin Let me know if youd like a hand. Im happy to have a look. Assume youre still in Belton? Send me a PM Chris