Couple of problems...

1st July 2012, 01:26

The other day my car started to play up, when it was turned on the battery light would show and some of the electrics wouldn't work like the heater and the power steering, after about 30 seconds of driving the light would go out and the electrics would work again.

Eventually it started happening everytime I came to a halt and it was idling, the battery light would come on and the electrics would play up, then as soon as I pull off and start driving, a loud tick from the fuse box (I think) would sound, the dials would die and then spring back to life and the battery light would go and the electrics went back to normal.

Any ideas for this?

Also the other problem is my car won't start! It's always been slow to crank over since I got it, but now it won't crank at all, I don't think it's the battery though as the lights on the dash still come on and the fuel pump still makes the noise and the electrics such as the lights and head unit work, but the car just won't turn over? Is this just a starter motor needing to be replaced?

If it helps it's a W reg VTR with a VTS lump, cheers in advance guys

UPDATE:
Tried to take the car to a garage to get a starter motor fitted, jumped it first time and had a mate follow me, apparently my brake lights were going a bit crazy and the car eventually cut out whilst driving and was at about 2k RPM, tried bumping it again 5 or 6 times but wouldn't start, any ideas?

Possible alternator needing changing?

UPDATE:
Also just noticed, the battery is now pretty much dead, but the fuse box area under the glovebox is making a weird humming/creaking noise? It stops when I put the key in and onto the first click of the ignition but after a few seconds of taking the key out it makes the noise again?
At around the 13-14 second mark I turn the key 1 click to a very dim battery light on the dash, and it stops? If I take the key out though or turn it off, it starts again about 30 seconds after? :/

1st July 2012, 01:51

problem 1) check all earth's, clean them all up

problem 2) sounds like starter motor has had it, i have 1 for sale from my old vts if you need one

1st July 2012, 01:59

Personally i think your battery or alternator is knackered making your electrics play up, could this possibly be why your starter motor wont crank over the engine as the battery is shite.

Checking the earths is a good point.

If earths are ok get a volt meter and test the volts of the battery when engine off, then test again with engine running. Think its 12v off 13+v when on, summit like that.

1st July 2012, 13:43

Where are all the earth points I need to check?

Thanks for the replies.

1st July 2012, 15:36

1) Sounds like a battery or alternator at fault. Remember the more revs you do, the more power the alt can give. Could be why when you stop your not providing enough power to power everything...

2) Fix number 1 as this COULD be the issue, but it is most likely the starter motor

1st July 2012, 20:03

Any way I can check which is the one at fault? Either the battery or the alternator? Other than the alternator having a bit of oil on it on the back, it looks quite new and clean? :/

Dunno if this is any help but before when it used to be slow to turn over, the clock would reset itself and the head unit reset settings and clock aswell when it eventually did turn over and start?

Thanks a lot guys

1st July 2012, 21:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nathan-HxC

Any way I can check which is the one at fault? Either the battery or the alternator? Other than the alternator having a bit of oil on it on the back, it looks quite new and clean? :/

Dunno if this is any help but before when it used to be slow to turn over, the clock would reset itself and the head unit reset settings and clock aswell when it eventually did turn over and start?

Thanks a lot guys

Sounds like a battery related problem, But go halfords and they do a free batter and alternator test . but DO NOT buy anything from them. Its 90% of the time expensive and shit

Let us know what they say and if it comes back as all OK then its time to check your earthing points

2nd July 2012, 20:22

If you like your car just get a new alternator dude, if its still does it, new battery.

I hate mucking about, buy it fit it enjoy it

2nd July 2012, 20:35

I don't know too much about Citroen's yet, but on Fords a common problem is the starter will stick on and drain power from both the battery and alternator. But having a garage or halfords check it over (halfords if it's free) first is your best bet to avoid wasting money.

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7th July 2012, 13:04

UPDATE:
Tried to take the car to a garage to get a starter motor fitted, jumped it first time and had a mate follow me, apparently my brake lights were going a bit crazy and the car eventually cut out whilst driving and was at about 2k RPM, tried bumping it again 5 or 6 times but wouldn't start, any ideas?

Possible alternator needing changing?

7th July 2012, 13:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by saladdodger

If you like your car just get a new alternator dude, if its still does it, new battery.

I had mucking about, buy it fit it enjoy it

& spend out money you don`t need to,when you can get both tested for free at halfrauds.

7th July 2012, 13:29

Also just noticed, the battery is now pretty much dead, but the fuse box area under the glovebox is making a weird humming/creaking noise? It stops when I put the key in and onto the first click of the ignition but after a few seconds of taking the key out it makes the noise again?

Any ideas?

7th July 2012, 13:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevo67

& spend out money you don`t need to,when you can get both tested for free at halfrauds.

You would take your car to them, some kid who know fuck all, a proper tech will charge a good amount to fault find.

Process of elimination i guess, maybe its just me that wants my car to work all the time, new parts are never a bad thing. If you cant afford an alternator and a battery should you be driving.

Here have one of these as well

7th July 2012, 13:40

If your brake lights are being crazy too. Could be a bad earth somewhere. Check for broken or loose cables?

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7th July 2012, 14:11

Got a video of the noise from the fuse box and will upload later.

7th July 2012, 16:52

Here's some pictures for any help they may be...

This is the alternator:

And this is the battery, which appears to have some odd green fluid on it..?:

7th July 2012, 17:28

Does look like the battery has some corrosion around the positive. Could have gone bad and started leaking acid.

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7th July 2012, 17:29

Just googled bad battery and an image came up just like it too

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7th July 2012, 23:11

Anyone else got any ideas? The fusebox noise sounds almost like a bee is stuck in there haha >_< Will try and upload the video now..!

7th July 2012, 23:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by saladdodger

You would take your car to them, some kid who know fuck all, a proper tech will charge a good amount to fault find.

Process of elimination i guess, maybe its just me that wants my car to work all the time, new parts are never a bad thing. If you cant afford an alternator and a battery should you be driving.

Here have one of these as well

Theres an old saying don`t teach your granny to suck eggs,you`d rather keep throwing money at something without finding properly what the fault is would you,work it out then come back when you have something sensible to say.

8th July 2012, 00:00

Here's that video of the noise, apologies for the shite quality.

At around the 13-14 second mark I turn the key 1 click to a very dim battery light on the dash, and it stops? If I take the key out though or turn it off, it starts again about 30 seconds after? :/

8th July 2012, 00:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevo67

Theres an old saying don`t teach your granny to suck eggs,you`d rather keep throwing money at something without finding properly what the fault is would you,work it out then come back when you have something sensible to say.

What is this a competition of who has the best answer. Hahahaa

ME not you would buy new parts if I felt it necessary and it solved the problem and also satisfying me with a fixed car, id then know what it was.
Thats what i would do, im not right or wrong, neither are you.

8th July 2012, 13:05

Any ideas anyone? The video is a couple posts up.

8th July 2012, 13:16

Are all your fuses good?
Swap over your relays? (scrappy) Too me it sounds like a relay fault!

8th July 2012, 14:14

Fuses are all good, relays were all fine apart from not having the window wiper 1st setting ever since I got the car and was driving it for a good few months before all this started showing any signs :/ I'm gonna get a new alternator and battery and check the earth points when they're fitted I think and see how that goes

8th July 2012, 19:53

Updated first post for easier reading, any ideas people?

9th July 2012, 18:13

Bump, still need help with this

11th July 2012, 23:25

Have bought a new alternator, battery and starter motor, will update once fitted if ir fixes it.

Likelihood of this curing the problem?