Car will not start!

jackoh

jackoh

jackoh

Associate
Joined
5 Oct 2004
Posts
1,159
Location
Cardiff
Car in question is a 2002 Mondeo TDDi, I drove it to a petrol station on monday.. Once I'd filled up the car would not turn on again, it did absolutely nothing upon turning the key.. I called the RAC.

When the RAC turned up the mechanic asked me to turn the car over whilst he test the battery, the car then embarrassingly started first time. He did a few checks on the battery (all being fine) and on the final check he said there was a cell deteriorating and I needed a new battery to fix the problem. (£105 from RAC)

I declined as the car had started and made my way to work, the car started fine on my drive home but the next morning suffered the same fault, I'd topped the battery up and charged it overnight..

So I buy a new battery for £70, replace it, and the problem remains - Wouldn't start at 7.30 this morning but is now starting every time 2pm ish..

Please help!
 
Could be not getting enough fuel? Perhaps you're having a blonde moment and letting the key in the ignition off too early - I've done this once and the car failed to start and retrying caused the car to fail to start again - had to leave it a moment in position 2, back to 0 then 2 then retry with a bit of throttle and all was well.

Something to do with not getting enough fuel mixture or something (someone will confirm no doubt :p).
 
Dodgy earth? check the earth cable from the battery back to the chassis, undo it clean it up and re do it the cover in vaseline
 
Do you get any dashboard lights on at all when trying to start?

If not if sounds like an earth problem, if there are lights on but engine fails to turn over
it could be either an earth, or the transponder in the key playing up.
 
It makes no noise whatsoever, but all the lights come up on the dash, RAC just turned up to my house but of course the car is deciding to start every time, he has cleaned the contact points between the battery and the starter but that is about all that can be done, difficult to diagnose it when it seems nothing is wrong..

Interesting point about the key though, I've not tried the spare so will definitely do that tomorrow morning..
 
Sounds to me like dodgy main earth i had a A6 where the earth run around the back of the alternator and rubbed through causing a short and the car to conk out. The old mans transit also had a dodgy earth between the starter motor and the gearbox this caused the same symptoms. The lights on the dash would work but the van would not stant. Check thewse two connections first.
 
Will check the earth in the morning, RAC mechanic said he will pop by at 7am and see if it's started up..

He said it wouldn't be the earth if the dash lights appear consistently.. Is this not the case then?

Cheers
 
jackoh said:
He said it wouldn't be the earth if the dash lights appear consistently.. Is this not the case then?

Cheers
Click to expand...

He's quite correct, if the main earth was bad the lights would dim when you tried to start it, or sometimes you get a loud continuous clicking noise as the solenoid cuts in and out.

No noise at all points to a jammed starter, dodgy relay or ignition switch or the wiring in between.
 
Cheers guys some very knowledgeable people around on here! As for the starter, it is starting up perfectly every time as of 2pm ish when I get home from work, but at 7.30 in the morning it just doesn't want to know. The guy checked the relays between the battery and the starter and said everything was fine..

Such an annoying fault, I have no faith in taking it anywhere in case I can't get back home!
 
Sounds like the Immobiliser to me, When was the last time you change the battery in the fob.
Have you another fob to try ?
 
It's not an immobiliser issue, the starter circuit being quite bulky is separate, it will always crank when you turn the key. The immobiliser part of the key will also work without a battery in it, it's powered via an induction coil.

It's almost certainly either a dodgy earth strap, or more likely starter solenoid or starter relay.
 
BigglesPiP said:
it will always crank when you turn the key. .
Click to expand...

I don't know about the OP's car but I'm sure I've had motors that show dash lights but won't crank when the immobilser hasn't been deactivated. Probably wrong though my memory is shocking.
 
I have just been outside to start the car and since earlier it has now developed a rapidly flashing immobiliser light when the key turns to slot 2, the manual says this means the key is not programmed, I now have no idea what to do - is there any way to reset this?

Thanks
 
At the end of the fast flashing there wil be a sequence that will read a pats code, this will give you more of an idea.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom