Won't start!

[shimmy]

Post 3...... And I have no clue whatsoever

Originally Posted by shimmy

Battery dead.......maybe caused by alternator knackered


Hull..... Too far to lend you my sare battery. Charge up yours and see if it improves



Alternatively it may be SULKING coz you are NOT COMING TO MUNICH



.

[Jonnymaz]

Yes, good call

The nice repair man checked the battery with a multimeter whilst the engine was running and explained that the reading could suggest what was wrong:

Less than 13.something volts means the alternator has gone (not enough charge getting into the battery).
Fluctuating between 13.something and 14.2v (I think), the alternator is ok but the battery is not holding the charge (as in my case).
Over 14.2v both ok.
He explained that the engine needed at least 14.2v to start, any less and nothing would happen.

I'm sure someone in the know will correct me if this is a load of bollocks but it might help someone with a similar problem!

[shane@mbtech]

Originally Posted by Jonnymaz

Yes, good call

The nice repair man checked the battery with a multimeter whilst the engine was running and explained that the reading could suggest what was wrong:

Less than 13.something volts means the alternator has gone (not enough charge getting into the battery).
Fluctuating between 13.something and 14.2v (I think), the alternator is ok but the battery is not holding the charge (as in my case).
Over 14.2v both ok.
He explained that the engine needed at least 14.2v to start, any less and nothing would happen.

I'm sure someone in the know will correct me if this is a load of bollocks but it might help someone with a similar problem!

He is not very clever then, as a car sat there will not have 14.2v in the battery. Either you misheard him or typo.

[Bounce]

Originally Posted by shimmy

Post 3...... And I have no clue whatsoever

And post 7,neither do I.

[shimmy]

Originally Posted by Bounce

And post 7,neither do I.

we are just simple builders!

[Bounce]

Originally Posted by shimmy

we are just simple builders!

Yep,just drive them,don't know how the fook they work

As Donald Sutherland once said to Clint Eastwood about his Sherman Tank in Kelly's Heroes.

[Jonnymaz]

Originally Posted by lawsy

He is not very clever then, as a car sat there will not have 14.2v in the battery. Either you misheard him or typo.

He said something about 14.2v being the magic number, although he wasn't particularly clear. Perhaps he was referring to the output of the alternator?

I was more interested in finding out how to fix it than listening to the science behind it!

[Porker]

I've had exactly the same problem on two occassions. I have a fresh battery since November, the lights are working fine, but it refused to start.

First time I push-started the car, started fine for about a month, until yesterday, same thing.

The car is booked for a clutch replacement next week, I'll have the starting problem checked as well, I'll let you know what it turned out to be.

[Pip1968]

Surely then it must be the alternator. With the new battery not being fully charged it probably just held out for the two/three months since it was replaced.

It is a commonly replaced item on the CSL and a warranty item I believe.

Pip

[Porker]

Originally Posted by Pip1968

Surely then it must be the alternator. With the new battery not being fully charged it probably just held out for the two/three months since it was replaced.

It is a commonly replaced item on the CSL and a warranty item I believe.

Pip

Hi Pip,

To be honest, I don't think that's the case. When I push started it, it worked fine for two months, which should indicate the alternator is charging the battery? Also now, the lights and everything work perfectly, which should indicate the battery is in good nick (multimeter check confirms this). It seems like an electrical issue, strangely happening two times after I'd washed the car, maybe something to do with water getting where it shouldn't get?