Car not starting!

sounds exactly the same as an issue i had when had a mini... it was the battery - put a new one in and cured it straight away,
 
wotnip said:
sounds exactly the same as an issue i had when had a mini... it was the battery - put a new one in and cured it straight away,
Click to expand...

interesting... might try swapping the battery tonight, see if that helps... think it needs replacing anyway so might be worth a punt.
 
next question then, which battery? Looking on RAC site they recommend the Bosch S4 or S5... is that right? Would S4 be fine?
 
Oh ****, just noticed this...

oil.jpg


What is that? I assume it isn't supposed to be leaking oil like that??!
 
That is the oil filter housing. Can you check if it is tight (by hand). Torque value is on the lid as well.
 
The battery (not charging) and oil light (low pressure) SHOULD be on with the car ign on pos 2, not running; so that is normal.

Your oil leak isn't normal, and that filter housing needs nipping-up. Low oil may be your issue, if the system is really THAT clever (not something I've ever been aware of, though...but then again I've never run to low oil levels).

Is the engine trying to catch, or is it just cranking without any signs of ignition?

Personally, I don't think it's your battery if the engine is cranking ok. However, it may soon become a problem if you have to keep cranking as it'll kill the battery eventually.
 
Thanks for the reply... it does sound like it is trying to catch but never does. I tried it earlier and it actually sounded like the engine was kicking in but then it just went back to cranking again.
 
Check your oil level and top it up before you do anything. Tighten that oil cap but unless it's soaked everything it's minor and not really part of the problem.

Next if the battery has been fully charged give it a spin over, If that fails use jump leads or swap in another battery. if still not going tme then for a rethink...
 
Update....

Called the garage yesterday to come and collect the car this morning... the guy had another go at starting it and after a few tries he got it starting and revved it a bit.... bit of smoke and then it seemed ok... he has taken it anyway to give it a full service (overdue). Seems to think the moving around without going on a journey, combined with spark plugs etc being well overdue a change, is responsible.

Anyway, the fact that it is driving ok now makes me feel it is hopefully not too serious, fingers crossed.

I think the battery is past it's due date, but I intend to do that myself and save a bit of cash.... how hard can it be? LOL
 
Don't know ... for someone who posts double it could be quite a challenge :poke:
 
I'd not leap out to replace the battery just yet.

If it spun the motor yesterday for a minute without sounding laboured and you'd already taken the edge off it the previous day then it's probably not that bad.

Stick a voltmeter on it with the engine off and then again once running and let me know the voltages.
 
Who's PVR? Didn't he once question our great administrator Sp3ctre? I don't think I can really remember him anymore...
 
He will be remembered as the first person ever to do a SatNav retrofit, aka de-Flimpering a Z4 :D
 
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