help - car won't start - dead battery?

1. Gain L-plater Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 40 Saxo VTR

   #1 27th July 2013, 13:27

   Used car this morning for an hour came home parked.
   
   Went out 20 mins later and the car won't start. It doesn't turn over or anything.
   
   I suspect dead battery because the dash lights come on for 10 seconds before fading out. Also if i try to use central locking, you can hear it kinda trying to lock but its like it doesn't have enough power.
   
   What do?
   
   Thanks
2. Cam Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Nov 2010 Kent Posts: 8439 Gen 7 Celica 190.

   #2 27th July 2013, 13:39

   Sounds like you answerd your own question

   1 user thanked this post: Pricklep
3. Gain L-plater Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 40 Saxo VTR

   #3 27th July 2013, 13:43

   Ok thanks,
   
   So if I used it for over an hour this morning how has the battery lost its charge?
   
   Do I need to jump start it or replace the battery?
4. L33h Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Oct 2007 North-east - Washington Posts: 7311 Clio 182, Fireblade GSX-R 750

   #4 27th July 2013, 13:49

   cos it wont hold its charge if the batterys broke
5. Gain L-plater Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 40 Saxo VTR

   #5 27th July 2013, 14:07

   Just checked the battery with a multimeter, its a healthy 12.5 volts.
   
   Alternator?
6. Gain L-plater Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 40 Saxo VTR

   #6 27th July 2013, 16:10

   ok, so i'm thinking the battery has a full charge, so its more likely to be starter motor?
   
   As I should be able to use the car/battery with charge for 30 mins even if alternator was dead?
   
   Thanks
7. user_20080 Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.

   #7 27th July 2013, 16:18

   Check the obvious 1st ie the connections on the battery.

   1 user thanked this post: Gain
8. Gain L-plater Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 40 Saxo VTR

   #8 27th July 2013, 16:22

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by stevo67 Check the obvious 1st ie the connections on the battery.

   Yes, when I checked the battery volts I checked the connections were nice and tight.
9. user_20080 Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.

   #9 27th July 2013, 16:42

   Step 2 connections on the top of the gearbox,have you tried jump starting it?
10. Gain L-plater Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 40 Saxo VTR

    #10 27th July 2013, 17:22

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by stevo67 Step 2 connections on the top of the gearbox,have you tried jump starting it?

    Not sure about connections on the gearbox, will have to research that as don't have a haynes handy.
    
    Didn't think there was any point in jumpstarting? as battery has a charge. I can go out and get some jump cables if you think it might work?
11. user_20080 Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.

    #11 27th July 2013, 17:49

    Is the fuel pump primming?
12. L33h Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Oct 2007 North-east - Washington Posts: 7311 Clio 182, Fireblade GSX-R 750

    #12 27th July 2013, 19:05

    bump it and run it with the lights on and check the battery voltage after a while. If it drops then its probably the alternator
13. Gain L-plater Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 40 Saxo VTR

    #13 27th July 2013, 19:48

    Can't bump as i'm new to the area i.e. johnny no mates.
    
    I'll see if the fuel pump is priming tomorrow when it stops lashing it down with rain.
    
    I've just been out messing with it and i've noticed that if i sit with the ignition on for 10mins it builds up a bit of a charge and that allows me to put the wipers on for 1 rotation until they die or if i turn ignition then it I can hear it try to turn over 1 time before it runs out of juice.
    
    Which makes me think its the alternator again very confused now. Might have to give up and call out the RAC tomorrow
14. chinkostu Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Aug 2008 The wrong carpark Posts: 5152 Xantia 1.9TD

    #14 28th July 2013, 16:59

    battery. mine did the same, used to randomly die whenever it wanted to