RogueVector Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 Car wont start. At first the engine turned over but then it didn't bite. On 2nd attempt there was just clicking noises from the starter motor. I removed battery and put it on the charger but it says it's 100% (it was disconnected for the last 5 months). On trickle or fast charge it says it's full in like 5 seconds. Reconnected battery - same thing - lots of clicking. Tried pushing car back and forth in neutral and in first. In neutral it moves 6 ft or more. In 1st about 6 inches - then I think I am pushing against compression - but as the car did turn over a few times on the first attempt. If it's push fully forward in 1st and then I try to start it (with the car now in neutral) the starter just makes one click. Sounds like a new starter motor? but any opinions. The Car is a 125 Sigma on an 60 plate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted February 26, 2012 Member Share Posted February 26, 2012 I suggest you search for "Starter relay" in the archives and see if you have the problem that others have had... and have successfully fixed. Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gnockoff Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 I'd try it on another battery first before you start delving into other bits of the engine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RogueVector Posted February 26, 2012 Author Share Posted February 26, 2012 Thanks so far. I've tried putting the car in 5th and pushing it forwards - it goes about 6 inches or so and then you feel a clunk which repeats every 6 inches. If you put the car in 2nd the clunk gets closer together. Would it be right to think the starter is now jammed? If you try the lights and main beam etc - they all look very good and now dimming down over time. So I think the battery is ok. Any opinions? Loosen the starter motor and give it a wiggle see if it snaps back? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 Check the liquid levels if it is a wet battery. The jump start it with leads from another car. Go for a 20-mile drive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fil M Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 My Astra battery died the other week ... it started up and got us to the supermarket close by. After loading up it just went ...click! The lights when turned on shone bright but the battery was dead for starting..... If the starter was fine before it was put up for the winter chances are its fine now ..... I put my money on the battery ... I got a banner battery from a motor factors for £50 for the Seven . After changing the Astras it fired up immediately and been ok since.... incidently the Astra battery charged up too!!! ....maybe take it out and take it to a battery supplier for a test ...if its ok then at least you have taken one thing out of the edquation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James_Russell Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 I vote battery as well. Try jump starting, or failing that, bump starting- then you can check the health of the charging system. Your local Halfords has a very expensive Bosch battery tester that you can use- just because a battery holds a charge, it isn't necessarily healthy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RogueVector Posted February 26, 2012 Author Share Posted February 26, 2012 Thanks everyone. I am going to replace the battery first as that seems the most likely cause - and it at least eliminates one variable. I tried charging the battery again this afternoon and it managed to turn the engine over albeit slowly much like the first time - so I think the battery is goosed. I'll get a replacement battery and give it a go in the new few days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myothercarsa2cv Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 Get yourself a cheapo wheelchair battery (if you search bulk buys, there will be a link in there somewhere...) I just reconnected mine after 6 months of doing nothing and the engine fired up no problem at all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OliW Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 I've just fitted mine John and it fires up the 7 like a treat. I tested my old banner that had been on charge most of the winter and...not a dixie! Good job I'd made preparations for a change really. I'd recommend the Ultramax too... Ultramax! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RogueVector Posted February 26, 2012 Author Share Posted February 26, 2012 Thanks for the ultramax link How did you pack the gap in the battery tray because the dimensions are not the same? I know this is a numty question - but just curious how you folks got around that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 I stood a block of wood next to the battery to fill the clamp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drumster Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 I just 'amended' the standard Banner battery tray so that the smaller battery is able to lay down. See here, you'll need to scroll down..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curly Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 Have you tried the inertia switch? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myothercarsa2cv Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 RogueVector, I used a battery tray supplied by OBP Ltd - the batteries are the same size give or take a mm as a Red Top 25. It's now screwed down to the bulkhead where the heater would sit. I intend to snip a bit off it so that I don't have to keep sliding the battery out to disconnect it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonboylaw Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 As MOCA, the OBP battery clamp the the bulkhead. I had to trim the bracket back slightly to allow the connectors to fit without fouling. Jon Edited by - jonboylaw on 27 Feb 2012 13:54:18 Edited by - jonboylaw on 27 Feb 2012 13:54:40 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian B Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 Quoting Aeroscreens: I just 'amended' the standard Banner battery tray so that the smaller battery is able to lay down. See here, you'll need to scroll down..... Yea, but look what it did to your engine I did the same though, and my engine was fine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie_pank Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 From your description, battery is either not ok or electron flow to starter is impeded somewhere by a poor connection (or both) Test with another battery that you know is ok or jump start it, I bet it's fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedCat7 Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 I had similar problems, turned out i hadn't tightened up the battery connections properly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RogueVector Posted March 10, 2012 Author Share Posted March 10, 2012 Just an update to confirm that it was the battery. Thanks everyone. I went for the Ultramax (actually a Yuasa was delivered to the same spec and dimensions). I fitted it and used some polysterene to make up the blank space. Car started first time and I've saved some weight too. Nice :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wingnutLP Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 Hi all, my battery has just died also. What would the advantage be of the utramax over the banner battery that CC supplys or is it just cost? Is there an advantage to sealed batteries for cars that are driven less frequently? I now have a small solar pannel that I am going to fit to the garage roof to keep her topped up :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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