Engine won't turn over

  1. Infrequent Poster Joined: Jan 2010 Rotherham, South Yorkshire Posts: 229 2001 Posi Blue Saxo VTR
    #1
    Probably a really easy thing for those who know, but i don't.

    This morning I got into my car, put key in ignition, turned it a few clicks over, all the dash lights came on as normal, fully lit. I then turned it to start and I get a churning noise which gets slower and slower then eventually stops. While this is happening the lights on the dash (hand brake light) gets dimmer and dimmer. This has been worse during colder days.

    Tried it a few times, still didn't work. I put some WD40 on the battery connectors thinking it might just be a loose connection to the battery, still no joy.

    So any ideas? Battery? Starter motor? Something else?

    Thanks for any help!
  2. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Apr 2010 Telford Posts: 4501 Black corsa c SXI.
    #2
    soundslike starter motor to me...
    get a vid and post up it up if you dont find the problem
  3. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Aug 2009 ilkeston derbyshire Posts: 9823 C2 VTR stripped, 406hdi, clio 172
    #3
    battery is first thing to get tested, if thats goosed (quite possible in the recent cold snap,tempreture shows up any faults) then the best starter in the worlds going to do jack!
  4. Infrequent Poster Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 117
    #4
    Worth checking the connections to the starter mine were slightly loose and it made a huge difference.
  5. L-plater Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 75
    #5
    i would try chargeing or replaceing your battery,if that works then test the output of your alternator with a multimeter to make sure its chargeing the battery properly.
  6. Infrequent Poster Joined: Jan 2010 Rotherham, South Yorkshire Posts: 229 2001 Posi Blue Saxo VTR
    #6
    When this happened, I used a quick batter charger which seemed to do the trick after 2 minutes which leads me to believe its a battery issue. Unfortunatly, im stuck this morning as well with extremely low tempatures. Not even the batter charger seems to turn it over.

    As I said, the dash lights and everything work without a problem. Do we think a new battery will sort it?
  7. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Oct 2009 Basildon And Corringham, Essex Posts: 5179 MK1 Focus RS, Discovery TD5, Renault Trafic 2.0
    #7
    The cold absolutely kills batteries, Although it's not actually the cold.
    It's heat that kills batteries, because batteries are a chemical reaction when they get hot, due to a malfunctioning alternator or just in the summer, that reaction happens faster and deteriorates the battery. Then when it gets cold and the power output is reduced, because the cold causes the chemical reaction to slow down then you'll notice a loss in power, or it'll go flat.

    And if it's left flat for too long the battery goes through a proses where the solpher in the acid attaches itself to the plates and if it's left long enough the battery becomes Solphated and can no longer be charged. Or it will not hold its charge for very long.
  8. Infrequent Poster Joined: Jan 2010 Rotherham, South Yorkshire Posts: 229 2001 Posi Blue Saxo VTR
    #8
    thanks for the explanation.

    I had left it all week up to yesterday in which I started it with a jump charger without any problem. However, this morning its just not having it.
  9. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Oct 2009 Basildon And Corringham, Essex Posts: 5179 MK1 Focus RS, Discovery TD5, Renault Trafic 2.0
    #9
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by davidb2002 View Post
    thanks for the explanation.

    I had left it all week up to yesterday in which I started it with a jump charger without any problem. However, this morning its just not having it.
    You're welcome lol try jump leads from another Car, if that works, go for a drive, if it's dead tomorrow or later today. Buy a new one lol
  10. Frequent Poster Joined: Dec 2010 coalville Posts: 711 project flat arch
    #10
    easy things to check, battery terminals, starter motor terminals, aux belt is tight, try and get your battery tested on a proper machine to check voltage and amps if you go to your local halfords they do battery and alternator tests for FREEEEEEE