Terry Field Posted February 27, 2021 Share Posted February 27, 2021 First time I have tried to start it since it arrived and it won’t. Just what I suspect to be the K Series klick!Battery is fully charged and the solenoid seems to be clicking but nothing more. Is there a quick fix to get it started?Thanks Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ECR Posted February 27, 2021 Share Posted February 27, 2021 A tap on the motor with a hammer sometimes helps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted February 27, 2021 Member Share Posted February 27, 2021 Private Message sent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative bluenose Posted February 27, 2021 Area Representative Share Posted February 27, 2021 Read this. https://www.lotus7.club/forum/techtalk/demystifying-k-series-starter-solenoid-circuitI would disconnect the battery. Then disconnect and clean the solenoid leads, reconnect them, reconnect the battery and see if it starts. Seems to be a number of different issues with the starting wiring on K series cars caused by poor design. Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative bluenose Posted February 28, 2021 Area Representative Share Posted February 28, 2021 Did you get it sorted? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Field Posted February 28, 2021 Author Share Posted February 28, 2021 Not yet. The terminals are all clean and tight. I am getting 12.5 volts across the battery but the engine will not crank. Haven't tried hitting it yet.I might try to jump start it later.Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrightpayne Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 Immobiliser? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM25T Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 Can you hear the solenoid click when you try and crank. Does the battery voltage drop a long way at that point ? Remove small trigger cable from starter and fit another to the tag on the starter. With car in neutral, touch free end of this cable on battery positive. Expect a spark. Hold it there. Does it crank ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Field Posted February 28, 2021 Author Share Posted February 28, 2021 I am getting 12.6 at rest on the battery, the solenoid clicks and the voltage drops to about 2.5, but it does not crank.Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roadsport06 Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 The battery doesn't sound healthy if it is dropping to 2.5V Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM25T Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 2.5V .... no wonder it won't crank. Check liquid levels in each cell of battery. Top up if required ... distilled water ... and charge with a traditional charger, not a conditioner. If it won't hold charge, time for a new battery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrightpayne Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 or a call to Sevens and Classics as its a recent purchase! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garybee Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 Terry, can you confirm you meant 2.5V and didn't mean to type 12.5V? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Field Posted February 28, 2021 Author Share Posted February 28, 2021 Hi SMT25!The battery is properly filled, and it has been on a conditioner for four days, apparently charging correctly. My main charger is u/s but I will try to borrow one and give it a go.Although the battery is giving out 12.5 at rest, what would you expect to see whilst cranking ( or trying to)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Field Posted February 28, 2021 Author Share Posted February 28, 2021 Garybee,Just rechecked. 12.5 at rest, below 3 while trying to crank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drumster Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 Terry, AFAIK it shouldn't be less than 9.5v when cranking Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Field Posted February 28, 2021 Author Share Posted February 28, 2021 Thanks Chris,I will try to jump start it later and call Sevens and Classics tomorrow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM25T Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 Battery is shagged. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garybee Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 "Garybee, Just rechecked. 12.5 at rest, below 3 while trying to crank."Thanks for the clarification. That's so bad I thought it was likely to be a mistype. Battery is absolutely FUBAR'd as others have said. Even a completely seized engine wouldn't pull the voltage down anywhere near that.Lots of options on what to go with now. Replace with standard wet lead acid (Banner), AGM/gel battery or lithium. I went with a sealed gel battery. Mine was actually intended for a ride on mower. Fitted about 7 years ago and still fine now. They have the advantage of being more resistant to deep discharge whilst also being lighter than the standard Banner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Field Posted February 28, 2021 Author Share Posted February 28, 2021 Right, I jump started it from the tin top and it ran immediately. It also restarted under its own steam about 5 minutes later. Lets see what the morning brings, but I think a call to Sevens and Classics is in order, followed by a new battery.I have used Powervamp gel batteries in the past, so might go down that route again. Thanks for all the help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM25T Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 Was it left connected and immobiliser had simply drained it ... only takes a few weeks. Need to fit a cut off switch, or disconnect one cable from battery Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Field Posted February 28, 2021 Author Share Posted February 28, 2021 Hi SM25TDont know - only had it 4 days! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Field Posted February 28, 2021 Author Share Posted February 28, 2021 Within a couple of hours of contacting Sevens and Classics I had an e mail from Andy Noble readily accepting responsibility, and offering to replace the battery. No argument, just excellent customer service. Well done S&C! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Golf Juliet Tango Posted March 1, 2021 Area Representative Share Posted March 1, 2021 But a very obviously faulty battery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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