Car Won't Start...?

[oz *sti*]

I've being away with work all of last week, got home on Sat morning, went out to start the car to start it up and there was nothing, all I could hear was the fuel pump, and when I did turn the key, there was just a tick, tick, tick maybe from the starter (the Apexi hand unit was reading 11.7 volt). So I got the wife to tow me out and got the car jump started let it run for about 40 mins.

When I went out to the car this morning and it started first go, then went to start it this afternoon and nothing again, same again I can hear the fuel pump, and when I turn the key all i get is tick, tick, tick, tick from the what I think is the starter motor. So tried to get towed and jump it again, but then engine would not even start up when being towed???

The apexi handing unit this afternoon was reading 11.1 volt. It is the origanal Jap battery from when I got the car 4 years ago.

Does it sound like I just need to bite the bullet and get a new battery?

Thanks in advance.

Edited December 13, 2009 by Oz *STI*

[StewartyBoy]

Check the starter and alternator first mate. Belts could be loose meaning its just not getting charged properly. The higher the CCA rating, the more reliable a start as well so check as its very cold right now. This should be on the battery.

Unfortunately cold weather will take its toll on a battery ready for the bin.

[dipsy]

Did you by chance check the water levels in the cells in the battery and when car was running if you have a meter what volts were going in to the battery needs to be 14 volts or more if i can remmember .Like above check altenator belt on the longest part to see if there is enough tension .What your hearing with starter is the solenoid trying to ingage the starter to spin

Edited December 13, 2009 by Dipsy

[colin_ross]

Unfortunately cold weather will take its toll on a battery ready for the bin.

Thats what my money would be on too. The first cold snap of winter will have halfrauds selling more batteries than the rest of the year put together.

[oz *sti*]

Thanks for the comments guys, just back in from the car, I put the ignition on the the hand unit was reading 10.1 volts, As you may expect it did not start.

Also as you would expect when I put the lights / radio / and inside lights on the volt went right done to about the 5.7volt mark.

Me thinks it could be new battery time.

[micra_wrc]

sounds similar to what mine was doing and problem traced to the battery not holding a charge.

I only got the battery in May and think its the first time that both Grant & CraigD heard of a Bosch battery failing... ever

[cruz104]

sounds similar to what mine was doing and problem traced to the battery not holding a charge.

I only got the battery in May and think its the first time that both Grant & CraigD heard of a Bosch battery failing... ever

Wahey must be the season for flat battery's, my one was as dead as a dodo this morning! take her for a proper run tomorrow to get her going again.

Thinking trickle feed might be in order.

[colin_ross]

think its the first time that both Grant & CraigD heard of a Bosch battery failing... ever

I've been through three or four bosch silver tops. Think it's because the car is off the road for long periods. A trickle charger has solved the issue now.

[BJM]

Thinking trickle feed might be in order.

When I had my elise, that only saw daylight at the weekends if it was dry, I bought a trickle charger. Draper I think. Nothing fancy at all, was the size of a mobile phone charger with two leads. It was top notch. was about £14.

[thefastone]

Just Changed my battery the other week, but it was only putting off the inevitable... Specially has I had taken to keeping my jumper unit in the boot...