Knackered battery?

Big Chris

Big Chris

Big Chris

Soldato
Joined
5 Apr 2004
Posts
5,482
Location
Bloxham
My car wouldn't start this morning, when turning the key you can hear a loud ticking noise coming from roughly where the battery would sit, the lights on the dash all flash on and off and the dials jump in time with the ticking noise.

If you turn the key two clicks, the lights on the dash come on as normal and the radio comes on, but it won't turn over.

Any ideas?
 
It takes a lot of power to turn a starter motor over. The ticking is from you starter motor. The solenoid which engages it specifically.

Might be time for a new battery.
 
It seems to be charged though as everything comes on fine, and it's not like it struggles to turn over, it doesn't turn over at all, you just get this ticking sound - no engine activity.

I'll give it a bump this eve, I think my Old Man has a standalone charger too so will see how that goes.
 
Lights use almost no power so even a flat battery can still operate them. The starter motor on the other hand uses a vast amount. When you try to start the engine the solenoid attempts to engage the starter motor, as there isn't enough power it shuts off. That's the click.

If you've had no sluggish starts recently it's not that likely the battery will just have died. Is there any chance you let any interior lights on that could have caused it?

Also check the battery water levels (if it's not a sealed battery) The water should just cover the top of the plates.
 
Certainly sounds like a dead battery to me.

Its normal for the ancillary electrics to work and it not start, as the starter motor has a significantly higher current draw when in use.
 
Dash lights are bright, and all flash at once when it's ticking, and the dials jump too.

I've flatted a few batteries in the past and the symptoms are not like that, so I guess the battery itself is buggered.
 
A loose or corroded connection on the battery or starter motor solenoid, or the earth strap running from the battery negative to the engine and/or body can cause this.
 
This battery is definately flat. Try charging it first, but if no joy then replace it. When you have the car running again you need to check if the charging circuit is working. As a quick visual check - at least see if the aux belt is still there turning the alternator. Ideally you need to verify that you measure around 14V accross the battery terminals with the engine running. If it's down around 12V your battery isn't charging.
 
You sure it isn't just a lead worked loose on the battery or to the starter motor. Be a shame to buy a new battery if not needed.
 
I'll have a look this eve, didn't have a chance this morning as I needed to get to work.

Hoping it's something simple like a loose connection.

Where is best to shop for a new battery if required? I checked Halfords but they want £78 for a new one!
 
Could be a sticky starter motor solenoid. Try rocking it in gear when stationary. Or starting it in gear with clutch down and sort of pulling it up at biting point when starting, seemed to do the trick when I had a sticky solenoid in the starter motor - I too thought it was the battery.
 
Right, I jumped it off my Old Man's car this morning and drove it into town.

It started outside a local garage after I'd switched it off, but they did a test on it and said it's only kicking out half the voltage it should be so a replacement is required.

They're doing it for £60 fitted which is £20 better than Halfords or Kwik-Fit which isn't too bad.
 
It's worth getting a voltage check with the new one too. If the alternator is failty they sometimes overcharge the battery which kills the cells. My granddad found this when he got through three batteries in 12 months.
 
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