Starting Issues

  1. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jul 2009 Kent Posts: 4207 Mango cammed furio vts
    #1
    Hoping some of you can shed some light on this issue.

    Last few weeks the car has been slower and taking slightly longer to turnover and start. Yesterday went to turn the key and wouldn't start atall, lights on dash came on etc and so I had to bump it, this happened twice. Thought it could be bad connections so I fitted new battery terminals which seemed fine for about 5 starts, went for a drive, turned off then took longer to start again. Also checked the alternator charge rate which was good and also I changed starter motor about 4 months ago. Any ideas?
  2. Infrequent Poster Joined: Mar 2013 Ramsgate Posts: 111
    #2
    Any trouble when it's running? Lumpy, hunting? Etc? My thoughts are it could be bad spark etc. probably talking my arse mind you lol.


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  3. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jul 2009 Kent Posts: 4207 Mango cammed furio vts
    #3
    On start first startup of the day it sometimes is hesitant on first acceleration but after a minute it dosnt happen again.
  4. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jul 2009 Kent Posts: 4207 Mango cammed furio vts
    #4
    Any other ideas? I charged the battery fully as it had dropped low and has been perfect all week but now starting again.
  5. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.
    #5
    Battery on its way out & not able to hold charge?
  6. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jul 2009 Kent Posts: 4207 Mango cammed furio vts
    #6
    Battery is 2 months old mate.
  7. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.
    #7
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by rich112 View Post
    Battery is 2 months old mate.
    Your alternator could be causing a current drain,or have you got a sub fitted?
  8. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jul 2009 Kent Posts: 4207 Mango cammed furio vts
    #8
    The alternator gave good readings with car running and whilst off. I have a sub fitted mate but the remote wire is functioning.
  9. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.
    #9
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by rich112 View Post
    The alternator gave good readings with car running and whilst off. I have a sub fitted mate but the remote wire is functioning.
    A good way of checking for current drain is to unplug the battery overnight if the car starts fine next morning then you`ll know if you`ve got a current drain.Is just a case of tracking it down then.
  10. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jul 2009 Kent Posts: 4207 Mango cammed furio vts
    #10
    Good point mate but this has been gradual over the week so not something would see overnight:/ maybe unplugging every night for another week lol.
  11. Regular Poster Joined: Oct 2009 Leicester Posts: 257 Mango Westcoast
    #11
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by rich112 View Post
    Good point mate but this has been gradual over the week so not something would see overnight:/ maybe unplugging every night for another week lol.
    Im having a similar issue too mate, everything was fine on Friday, come to start it Monday and its completely dead.

    I have unplugged my Sub which doesn't seem to help

    My alternator was checked when I replaced my battery just before christmas and I have checked to current draw while everything is off. Nothing out of the ordinary.

    I did get a jump start this morning though and it sat at around 4000rpm and it would not settle down, I'm unsure if this has been caused by the battery issue but its not looking good
  12. Established Member Joined: Feb 2009 ★ West / North Yorkshire ★ Posts: 1653
    #12
    What batteries are you using? An old decent battery will probably hold more charge and give more current than a shit new battery.

    Could be your alternators, even if its giving out 14+ volts, if its not giving a decent charge current, then when your driving along, your car will still be draining your battery. Then when you come to start it... nothing.

    Its simple to check your residual current draw if you have a multimeter... using the Amps setting (you will probably have to change your red test wire into another hole) - fit it in series between your battery + and the live battery terminal.
  13. Regular Poster Joined: Oct 2009 Leicester Posts: 257 Mango Westcoast
    #13
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by outrage_uk View Post
    What batteries are you using? An old decent battery will probably hold more charge and give more current than a shit new battery.

    Could be your alternators, even if its giving out 14+ volts, if its not giving a decent charge current, then when your driving along, your car will still be draining your battery. Then when you come to start it... nothing.

    Its simple to check your residual current draw if you have a multimeter... using the Amps setting (you will probably have to change your red test wire into another hole) - fit it in series between your battery + and the live battery terminal.
    Yeah I'm going to take it back this weekend.

    I placed a multimeter in series with it and after an initial instantanious 0.5A draw it settles down to a sensable amount. (I'm guesing this is just something drawing it for the instant the battery is connected, it may even be the multimeter) After this it appers to be fine.
  14. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jul 2009 Kent Posts: 4207 Mango cammed furio vts
    #14
    I have a new Bosch battery and not the cheapo one. It's starting to slow down on turnover again :/
  15. Super Moderator Joined: Aug 2006 Staffs Posts: 3778 207 HDi GT
    #15
    I had similar when my Banner battery was slowly dying. (about 2 years old)

    Not happened since buying a Bosch S5 battery.

    Also check all battery, alternator and earth connections
  16. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jul 2009 Kent Posts: 4207 Mango cammed furio vts
    #16
    That's my new battery. As said my connections have been replaced by new terminals and all earths are still on fine.