Mate's car won't start...

timbob · 8 Apr 2006 at 12:05

If you turn the ignition key and hear nothing but a ticking, what's usually wrong?

DaveyD · 8 Apr 2006 at 12:09

What car is it? Do all the electrics come on?

Could be the starter motor?

MuvverRussia · 8 Apr 2006 at 12:09

flat battery usually- not enough current to turn the starter motor- the click you hear is the solenoid engaging.

agw_01 · 8 Apr 2006 at 12:16

MuvverRussia said:
flat battery usually- not enough current to turn the starter motor- the click you hear is the solenoid engaging.

Agree to that.

Had it several times in the past.

timbob · 8 Apr 2006 at 12:18

I thought it was a flat battery, just wanted confirmation, thanks guys

DaveyD · 8 Apr 2006 at 12:26

agw_01 said:
Agree to that.

Had it several times in the past.

I've seen similar with a sticky solenoid, which needed a good whack while trying turning the ignition, though it's probably battery.

TaKeN · 8 Apr 2006 at 13:17

Another vote for the battery here

Enfield · 8 Apr 2006 at 13:40

Yep, definitely a dodgy battery. Had this happen loads of times in my 205. Sometimes if I waited a couple of minutes it would fire up, sometimes I'd have to bump start it!

moss · 8 Apr 2006 at 14:19

When a battery starts to go, it sometimes has enough power to just turn over the starter, so I'd check the starter, just give it a light tap with a hammer it can sometimes get them going again.
Im not saying it isnt the battery but you dont want to be spending money on a battery if its not that.

timbob · 8 Apr 2006 at 15:06

It was the battery - just spoke on the phone. They bought a new battery and a multimeter. The old battery was only showing 7v - obviously not very healthy. New battery's in, and she starts now, so all's well that ends well

Enfield · 8 Apr 2006 at 15:09

7 volts? Yeah, that's well ******, should be 12.7v.