RS2000 Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 and SWMBO had a quick lesson in and first experience of..... towing a Caterham 😬 Broke down this morning about 12 miles from home having stopped to use a cash machine. ☹️ Pretty sure it is the battery, it's been showing signs of being knackered for a little while now, but started perfectly this morning. When I returned to the 7 with cash in hand, starter motor didn't turn over, checked the immobiliser was off and it was making lots of strange noises (like an old telephone exchange!). Tried various things for about 15 minutes before admitting defeat Don't think it was 'k-click'... will bung battery on charge later and see what happens (and have already ordered a new one) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myles Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 Yeah, the solenoid would have been thrown, engaging the main current for the starter, which dropped the voltage from the battery, which allowed the solenoid to release, which dropped the load on the battery, which allowed the solenoid to throw again. Lots of clicky noises! Easiest test in your case would probably have been to try jumping it in a similar situation. If that worked, it would reinforce your battery theory. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted August 19, 2014 Member Share Posted August 19, 2014 Could be the battery. Could be the feed to the solenoid. Could (possibly) be something else. Do you have a multimeter? If not treat yourself to one. It will save you a lot of time, There are lots of reports of the solenoid feed problem depending on the engine temperature. So you could in theory be misled by it successfully starting with a new battery or a jump from another battery if you do that when it's cold. Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RS2000 Posted August 19, 2014 Author Share Posted August 19, 2014 Thanks both, When I got home the battery was showing 12.3 volts across the terminals I do have heat protection on the cable and also a 'plate' protecting the solenoid but that's not to say they weren't damaged before I added that here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted August 19, 2014 Member Share Posted August 19, 2014 In that case leave the multimeter across the battery and measure the voltage as it cranks, or tries to. Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RS2000 Posted August 19, 2014 Author Share Posted August 19, 2014 Had already put it on charge, so it had been charging for 3 hours, read 13.8 when I took the charger off dropping slowly to around 12 - 12.3 Tried to crank and dropped to 3! and failed to turn it over... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative manningpaul Posted August 19, 2014 Area Representative Share Posted August 19, 2014 Hi Chris, Can't offer any words of wisdom I am afraid, but quite ironic given that mine needed a push at Crockerton on the way down to Poole Quay but has been fine since Hope you get it sorted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RS2000 Posted August 19, 2014 Author Share Posted August 19, 2014 I think mine caught it from yours 😬 Fairly sure it's battery, new one arrives tomorrow or Thursday Glad yours behaved! Not been up that hairpin road before and great view from the top, we came back that way too 😬 😬 - thanks for introducing me to that one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Green Posted August 20, 2014 Share Posted August 20, 2014 Is that the alternative route to Compton Abbas Airfield hairpins you are talking about by any chance ? If so, I discovered them for the first time last weekend. Need to get the 7 down there now... If not, then something else! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative manningpaul Posted August 20, 2014 Area Representative Share Posted August 20, 2014 Zig Zag hill, the secret is to get a clear run, not stuck behind traffic as we were ☹️ We came back the same way with Stewart and Jane. Quite fascinating seeing all the Combines working across the fields with all their lights on from the top of the hill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badger Posted August 20, 2014 Share Posted August 20, 2014 For my enlightenment, where do you hitch the towrope to on the front of the car? Is there a towing eye somewhere? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted August 20, 2014 Member Share Posted August 20, 2014 Mine has a hoop near the RH lower front wishbone fitting. Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RS2000 Posted August 20, 2014 Author Share Posted August 20, 2014 Quoting badger: For my enlightenment, where do you hitch the towrope to on the front of the car? Is there a towing eye somewhere? Yep, small downward facing hoop front drivers side corner - I took the nosecone off to ensure the rope wouldn't 'interfere' or destroy it Fitted the new battery this evening and all is well again, need to take it on a proper run to check, that will be on Saturday, off to a family gathering in Forest of Dean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted August 20, 2014 Member Share Posted August 20, 2014 Sounds good. It's probably fine but I'd check that you're getting good voltage at 3,000 rpm before setting off. Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RS2000 Posted August 20, 2014 Author Share Posted August 20, 2014 Quoting manningpaul: Zig Zag hill, the secret is to get a clear run, not stuck behind traffic as we were ☹️ Nice and clear on the way back, at the bottom SWMBO was grinning and said 'You enjoyed that didn't you' - yes I did! 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RS2000 Posted August 20, 2014 Author Share Posted August 20, 2014 Quoting Jonathan Kay: Sounds good. It's probably fine but I'd check that you're getting good voltage at 3,000 rpm before setting off. Jonathan What would you call good, Jonathan? Thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted August 20, 2014 Member Share Posted August 20, 2014 14.2 to 14.5 V Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RS2000 Posted August 20, 2014 Author Share Posted August 20, 2014 Quoting badger: For my enlightenment, where do you hitch the towrope to on the front of the car? Is there a towing eye somewhere? Photo here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RS2000 Posted August 20, 2014 Author Share Posted August 20, 2014 Thanks Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RS2000 Posted August 24, 2014 Author Share Posted August 24, 2014 120+miles on Saturday, and 250 miles today, worked perfectly,no starting issues encountered Thanks all the comments and advice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted August 25, 2014 Member Share Posted August 25, 2014 :-) Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now