Won't start but all electrics work fine?

shawna · Post by **shawna** » Fri Jan 04, 2013 3:29 pm

My bet is on the starter going AWOL.

Stuart Truman · Post by **Stuart Truman** » Fri Jan 04, 2013 3:32 pm

In order of cheapest fix first

Recharge the battery, costs nothing but time and a few pence of juice and will at least rule it out
Earth issue on the starter circuit. Don't forget to check the battery earth connections
Starter motor

Tommy_C · Post by **Tommy_C** » Sat Jan 05, 2013 12:16 pm

Well, battery reads 12.0v so that seems fine? Checking all the earth's now, starter is a bastard to get to.

If I need to replace the starter can you take the bolts out with a 10mm socket? Or does it need to be a special tool?

slick · Post by **slick** » Sat Jan 05, 2013 12:41 pm

Tommy_C wrote:Well, battery reads 12.0v so that seems fine? Checking all the earth's now, starter is a bastard to get to.

If I need to replace the starter can you take the bolts out with a 10mm socket? Or does it need to be a special tool?

put the lights and ignition on then put a voltmeter on the battery ....with them on......sounds like battery to me though ...

fixit man · Post by **fixit man** » Sat Jan 05, 2013 1:16 pm

Tommy_C wrote:Well, battery reads 12.0v so that seems fine? Checking all the earth's now, starter is a bastard to get to.

If I need to replace the starter can you take the bolts out with a 10mm socket? Or does it need to be a special tool?

The battery shouild be minimum 12.6 volts... 2.1 volts per cell !, have you charged the battery ?

Tommy_C · Post by **Tommy_C** » Sat Jan 05, 2013 1:34 pm

Yeah... with lights and ignition it reads 11.5V. I haven't got a battery charger so new battery?!

Doing and extremely good job of proving how little I know about mechanics here!

fixit man · Post by **fixit man** » Sat Jan 05, 2013 1:44 pm

Tommy_C wrote:Yeah... with lights and ignition it reads 11.5V. I haven't got a battery charger so new battery?!

Doing and extremely good job of proving how little I know about mechanics here!

Under load (lights on etc.)it will read lower than nominal voltage of 12.6V , try connecting the jump leads again and leave the donor car running for 10 minutes and increase the revs to about 2000 RPM this will give your battery a quick charge from the donor car, and try to start again also while reving the donor car !

If it starts ...then your battery is low on charge ...probably will mean the battery is F¤%ed, as you've had no warning lights on to suggest that it's not charging.

If it does start you can check the voltage again when running, should be about 13.5 v to 14.5v, depending on revs and condition of the battery good luck

Tommy_C · Post by **Tommy_C** » Sat Jan 05, 2013 6:42 pm

Left it connected to the van for about 25 minutes whilst it was running, charge went from 11.8 - 12.0 and as soon as you try start it back down to 11.8.
Connected a new battery however that won't start it either.

Despairing, got a new starter earlier but was hoping I could return it without opening the box - looks like I'll be fitting it now!

Z4M-2006 · Post by **Z4M-2006** » Sat Jan 05, 2013 7:00 pm

Has the new battery got better voltage when tested??

Bad engine/body earth can cause the fault you describe..

Tommy_C · Post by **Tommy_C** » Sat Jan 05, 2013 7:03 pm

Will check the earths, starter seems to be really awkward to get to behind the sound gen!!! New bat was 12.8 v.

Obvious earths I assume battery and starter solenoid?

Tommy_C · Post by **Tommy_C** » Sun Jan 06, 2013 2:05 pm

To summarise this morning...

Checked earths all seem fine, bump started and started up fine. Went for 10 mile drive with new battery fitted, came back - starter not even clicking now.

Think the only option is now to remove old starter and replace, noticed most places say E10 socket but as far as I can tell it's an E12?! It's also a nightmare to get to as it's right below manifold/behind the sound gen etc. Even with air box and sound gen removed there's so many pipes and cables it's a tight working area!

Stuart Truman · Post by **Stuart Truman** » Sun Jan 06, 2013 2:28 pm

12v is low as already said. Needs a charge at least.

no1beyondfan · Post by **no1beyondfan** » Sun Jan 06, 2013 2:31 pm

Hi I think I am having the same problem as we speak!!!!! But I got a new battery about a year ago?

I did use my batter to jump a little polo quite often ? Plus it's cold.

I hear the starter plug, all electronics have reset itself . There was some battery , but after many attempts I think I have drained it.

Best bet replace the battery first?

Tommy_C · Post by **Tommy_C** » Sun Jan 06, 2013 2:38 pm

Battery is 12.6v/14 when running, of assumed a good 10 minutes ticking over and a 20 minute blast would have charged it a fair bit? Worth leaving it idling for an hour to put more juice in it? As said I haven't got a charger or anything like that.

Thanks guys appreciate all your efforts!

Z4M-2006 · Post by **Z4M-2006** » Sun Jan 06, 2013 2:54 pm

So...

Have you fitted a new battery or just connected one via jumpleads? Correct voltage Battery ?

Every time a car is started you need a 20 min run of the car to retain the battery charge,Remember a starter motor is just like dead shorting the battery momentarily..

Checking just the voltage doesnt tell the whole tale with battery condition. It needs a drop test at a minimum... It could easily retain 12v + but under crank the cells could collapse..

When you are trying to jump start it,or putting leads on with a slave battery it doesnt really tell you anything as the bad battery is still in line and could be the weak link..

I would certainly get the battery charged and tested..

Of course... If you fitted the new battery in the car,then dismiss all the above...........lol.....

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Won't start but all electrics work fine?

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