Car won't start again!

1. user_30040 Established Member Joined: Jan 2009 Bridlington Posts: 1496 Audi A3

   #1 18th October 2011, 07:37

   Well i had a problem last week were my car wouldn't start, So i thought it was either my battery/starter motor/alternator.
   
   So i bought a new battery which i thought fixed the problem the car would start fine and its been fine for around 1 week.
   
   Come to start it this morning and its just ticking again so should i be thinking abuot getting a new starter motor or alternator?
   
   Please reply ASAP thanks
2. user_31412 Established Member Joined: Feb 2009 ★ West / North Yorkshire ★ Posts: 1653

   #2 18th October 2011, 07:57

   Get your alternator tested and make sure you charge your battery or you will need another one.
3. user_30040 Established Member Joined: Jan 2009 Bridlington Posts: 1496 Audi A3

   #3 18th October 2011, 08:06

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by outrage_uk Get your alternator tested and make sure you charge your battery or you will need another one.

   Will hopefully get the alternator tested today!, Why will i need a new battery :o
4. user_30040 Established Member Joined: Jan 2009 Bridlington Posts: 1496 Audi A3

   #4 18th October 2011, 09:17

   If it is not the alternator, What would you expect it to be next?
5. user_54407 Frequent Poster Joined: Aug 2011 Swindon Posts: 577 MGB Sebring Track (WIP), Saxo

   #5 18th October 2011, 10:25

   sounds like the alternator if you've just got a new battery and after a week its not working.
   get it tested/ change it, its a peice of piss to take out/ put in. Just remember to disconnect the battery (or if you cba with radio codes etc just tape up the live feed with insulation tape - my top tip of saving time when im at work as nobody seems to know radio codes etc)
6. user_30040 Established Member Joined: Jan 2009 Bridlington Posts: 1496 Audi A3

   #6 18th October 2011, 10:27

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by sebring sounds like the alternator if you've just got a new battery and after a week its not working. get it tested/ change it, its a peice of piss to take out/ put in. Just remember to disconnect the battery (or if you cba with radio codes etc just tape up the live feed with insulation tape - my top tip of saving time when im at work as nobody seems to know radio codes etc)

   Radio codes are not needed , So it does sound like the alternator?
7. ads85 Frequent Poster Joined: May 2011 Bradford on Avon,Nr Bath Posts: 866 '01 astra coupe

   #7 18th October 2011, 10:35

   It does sound like it yes mate, charge up battery get the car running again and see what the voltage is across the battery, it should be around 14.2 volts iirc, if you're not getting that then your alternator (or the wiring) is at fault
   
   have a quick check make sure none of the wiring is loose/corroded or damaged and all earth points are good
8. user_30040 Established Member Joined: Jan 2009 Bridlington Posts: 1496 Audi A3

   #8 18th October 2011, 10:41

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by ads85 It does sound like it yes mate, charge up battery get the car running again and see what the voltage is across the battery, it should be around 14.2 volts iirc, if you're not getting that then your alternator (or the wiring) is at fault have a quick check make sure none of the wiring is loose/corroded or damaged and all earth points are good

   Ill do that mate!, Well if the car jump starts that meens it can't be the starter motor so that takes out that problem which leaves me with the alternator hope its that or the wiring
9. user_53493 Frequent Poster Joined: Jun 2011 Cardiff Posts: 908 Mk4 Fiesta Encore Mk1 Saxo Eastcoast

   #9 18th October 2011, 10:54

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by tally2425 Ill do that mate!, Well if the car jump starts that meens it can't be the starter motor so that takes out that problem which leaves me with the alternator hope its that or the wiring

   True, jump starting it will definitely rule out the starter motor.
   
   Isn't there a way of testing the alternator through the battery? As in, testing the charge of the battery to see if the alternator is doing its job?
10. kirk Infrequent Poster Joined: Jul 2011 Posts: 183

    #10 18th October 2011, 11:19

    If you get 14v coming out of your alternator then the next step Is to check the wiring
11. user_30040 Established Member Joined: Jan 2009 Bridlington Posts: 1496 Audi A3

    #11 18th October 2011, 12:00

    Yep well my mate is coming round later and this will help me identify my problem, Thanks all
12. ads85 Frequent Poster Joined: May 2011 Bradford on Avon,Nr Bath Posts: 866 '01 astra coupe

    #12 18th October 2011, 13:08

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by geraintthomas True, jump starting it will definitely rule out the starter motor. Isn't there a way of testing the alternator through the battery? As in, testing the charge of the battery to see if the alternator is doing its job?

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by kirk If you get 14v coming out of your alternator then the next step Is to check the wiring

    Is that not what I said?
13. cyne Frequent Poster Joined: Mar 2011 North East Posts: 743

    #13 18th October 2011, 13:11

    Sounds like the head gasket is on its way.
14. ads85 Frequent Poster Joined: May 2011 Bradford on Avon,Nr Bath Posts: 866 '01 astra coupe

    #14 18th October 2011, 13:27

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by cyne Sounds like the head gasket is on its way.

    What makes you say that then?
15. user_53493 Frequent Poster Joined: Jun 2011 Cardiff Posts: 908 Mk4 Fiesta Encore Mk1 Saxo Eastcoast

    #15 18th October 2011, 14:08

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by ads85 Is that not what I said?

    Apologies, skimmed across your post. Didn't see it.
    
    

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by cyne Sounds like the head gasket is on its way.

    That's a bit of a bold conclusion?
16. user_30040 Established Member Joined: Jan 2009 Bridlington Posts: 1496 Audi A3

    #16 18th October 2011, 14:15

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by cyne Sounds like the head gasket is on its way.

    Surely not when it works when jump starting?
17. ads85 Frequent Poster Joined: May 2011 Bradford on Avon,Nr Bath Posts: 866 '01 astra coupe

    #17 18th October 2011, 14:34

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by geraintthomas Apologies, skimmed across your post. Didn't see it. That's a bit of a bold conclusion?

    I was only playing mate, as for headgasket imo thats a bunch of bollox
18. user_30040 Established Member Joined: Jan 2009 Bridlington Posts: 1496 Audi A3

    #18 18th October 2011, 17:35

    Got it tested, had 12.48v running through it and the battery has 400amps (or what ever it is)
    
    So im guessing a lazy starter motor?