Car just died outside work

Hequn · 29 Oct 2007 at 10:07

I think it might be the alternator, but tell me what you think, a few ideas were spark plugs, fuel (loads in), etc though. Its a 98 R reg 1.4 Vauxhall Corsa if that helps diagnosis.

Basically drove to work fine today, parked up outside the gates waiting for the car park to open, as they did tried to start the car and its just turning over, not even a hint of it wanting to properly start (battery light is on when trying to start, but its usually on isnt it?). I was listening to music while i waited, do indeed have a subwoofer but i was sat for at most about 7minutes, wouldnt expect a battery to run down that quick so im thinking the alternator isnt working and hasnt been charging it?

Gonna look at the engine bay with some guys from work at dinner but if we (meaning they) cant sort it out ill be cvalling the RAC at the end of work.

But yeh, what do you guys think? Im not too technical when it comes to cars as you can see.

Hawk Tuah · 29 Oct 2007 at 10:24

Well, it it was turning over then its unlikely to be a flat battery.

Hequn · 29 Oct 2007 at 10:25

Bug One said:
Well, it it was turning over then its unlikely to be a flat battery.

Like i said im not too great with cars lol. What do you reckon it is then?

Luke · 29 Oct 2007 at 10:26

Could be the battery or alternator. 1st check is to see if the cells in the battery have enough water to cover the metal plates within. If it's not a sealed battery there will be a line of round covers on the top of the battery which will unscrew. Get a torch and look inside each cell. If the plates are showing above the level of the water, top it up with distilled water until the plates are just covered.

If it is the alternator, a quick test is to get the car running, and shine the lights on a wall or garage door. Then rev the engine. If the lights brighten, then the alternator is working, although maybe not to it's full capacity. If they don't brighten, then there is a problem (if your car has xenon/HID's then this won't work).

Luke · 29 Oct 2007 at 10:29

Didn't read the thread properly! It's turning over.

First check I would do is to make sure nothing has come loose in the engine bay. just look for any cables that aren't connected at both ends.
Secondly, I'd grab a spark tester from a motor factors (normally only a couple of quid). You pull of an HT lead, place the tester on the lead, and push it onto the spark plug. Then get someone to turn the engine over. If it sparks you will be able to see it. Repeat this for the other spark plugs.
If there is no spark, then it may be a problem with the distributor/rotor arm.

Matt82 · 29 Oct 2007 at 10:33

i think youll have to ask a corsa forum to see whether there are any common probs

Hequn · 29 Oct 2007 at 10:43

Matt82 said:
i think youll have to ask a corsa forum to see whether there are any common probs

can only get on computer related sites at work, we'll just have a look at it in dinner

Thebug · 29 Oct 2007 at 10:48

Try again when its cooled down - if that works then its usually the engine coolant temp sensor.

Best get it on a tech2 machine first to be sure.

Tesla · 29 Oct 2007 at 10:51

I am putting my money on fuel pump failure. Can you hear it priming?

Hequn · 29 Oct 2007 at 10:56

ill try it on dinner 'thebug' cheers

Tesla said:
I am putting my money on fuel pump failure. Can you hear it priming?

by priming you mean...?

Tesla · 29 Oct 2007 at 10:57

Hequn said:
ill try it on dinner 'thebug' cheers

by priming you mean...?

When you turn the key to position 2 you hear a humm noise from the rear of the car? Make sure your banging stereo is switched off

Muffin` · 29 Oct 2007 at 10:58

How olds the battery?

Hequn · 29 Oct 2007 at 11:00

Tesla said:
When you turn the key to position 2 you hear a humm noise from the rear of the car? Make sure your banging stereo is switched off

But how am i supposed to listen to hardcore rock then?

Erm, ill give that a go in dinner cheers.

[DW]Muffin;10374145 said:
How olds the battery?

Fitted to the car when i purchased it about two years ago

p.s. further to the coolant temp sensor idea, the car's temp gauge has been going crazy upto 100c when idling in any kind of traffic for more than a minute then the fan in the engine bay goes mental to reduce the temp back to normal as much as it can, im assuming that cant be good then? ive not had chance to book it into a garage or anything since that started as im working 9-6 every day

Simmy · 29 Oct 2007 at 11:01

Checked fuel pump fuse?

Hequn · 29 Oct 2007 at 11:04

Simmy said:
Checked fuel pump fuse?

i'd just like to re-iterate the 'i know barely anything about cars' statement

Acolyte · 29 Oct 2007 at 11:09

Fuel, Compression, Spark

Take your pick

Hequn · 29 Oct 2007 at 11:11

Acolyte said:
Fuel, Compression, Spark

Take your pick

Stuck £10 in just last night plenty of fuel in it when i arrived at work so perhaps its one of the latter. Dinner time diagnostics may reveal more info.

Matt82 · 29 Oct 2007 at 11:13

it may have fuel in the tank, but there would be a number of problems that would mean it wouldnt get to the engine in the right quantity.

Hequn · 29 Oct 2007 at 11:22

Matt82 said:
it may have fuel in the tank, but there would be a number of problems that would mean it wouldnt get to the engine in the right quantity.

ahhh right fair enough, if we cant find anything at dinner its probably a phonecall to the RAC or my dad at the end of work

Dogbreath · 29 Oct 2007 at 11:56

Hequn said:
p.s. further to the coolant temp sensor idea, the car's temp gauge has been going crazy upto 100c when idling in any kind of traffic for more than a minute then the fan in the engine bay goes mental to reduce the temp back to normal as much as it can, im assuming that cant be good then? ive not had chance to book it into a garage or anything since that started as im working 9-6 every day

That doesn't sound very promising, when was the last time you checked the coolant level? Could be a knackered radiator, sticking thermostat, air lock or something more sinister.