Not Starting

[Curly Jon]

Afternoon,

While trying to get the car ready for Oxford run I trid to start the beast but it does not want to know....

Battery Charged

Ign lits up and the right noises come from the engine bay Vacum pump I think...

Turn the key and nothing...

Now the lights go off, a gentle click hear from the back

Also the pods dont want to go up.

These things work...

Side lights, horn, wipers, elec mirrors, Cig lighters, heater fan, rear demist door lights clock.

Ok one other thing the clock sometimes resets when I turn the key. Does mean that even though the Batt might be charged it still might be buggered?

Any Ideas?

Curly Jon

BRG 86 Turbo

[silverfrost]

Hi, does sound like your battery i.e the ignition lights going off when key turned,the clicking of the starter,and the headlight pods not going up!also the fact that the battery has been charged has the car been stood for a while!

the fact is your battery is probably not at its best also if the car has been stood a while some of the electrical swithes may not be contacting and this may explain some thing working and some things not?

i personally would invest in a new battery and try that!

also i know it sounds silly but check your battery terminals are tight!

regards dan

[WayneB]

Like Dan I think your battery terminals are corroded/dirty or loose.

Clean them and tighten them and give it another try.

Could also be a dead cell or two in the battery.

If the problem persists after the cleaning/tightening get the battery load tested.

[Curly Jon]

Hi ya,

I have a spare batt so I know the batt is good. I have also cleaned the terminals so they sparkle as do the clamps that go on to the batt.

I am about to start on the earth lead that is attatch to the engine to see is cleaning that will help...

I have also moved the car in gear to check that the starter is not jammed in some way.

Not very sure what else would need to be checked.

Still stuck

Curly Jon

[snuffy]

Years ago I had something similar on my 86 S3. The lights etc worked and it would turn once. Then it would all die. Then it turned, then it died.

Then I grabbed hold of the negative wire and it came off in my hand, oo-er missus. One shiney new eye thing later and bob's your auntie's live in lover.

[bobbak]

The battery needs 12.5 volts to turn te starter any less and it will cause problems hence most people have a battery conditioner setting on thier chargers however dont rule the starter out yet if the battery is fully charged and all conections are good stick it in 2nd gear and tow start it ignition on second position clutch down and then let someone tow you gently and lift the clutch if it fires its the starter solenoid recon price around

[silverfrost]

Also dont assume your spare battery is 100%, i know its a pain in the arse

but take the battery of your daily run about if its easy to get at! that way you know its 100% also as you have said give the earth lead a good clean!

its a bumer but its a process of elimination

regards dan

[Paul C]

Am sure this won't help, but i thought it so i write...

My S3 had i think only 8 fuses for the entire car. With so many different

items clustered on each fuse, i would imagine just one fuse blowing would

take out several seemingly unconnected items in one go.

I do think all the other advice is pointing the right way though.

[Curly Jon]

OK,

One end off the earth lead is nice and clean, then I saw the other end where it connects to the Neg on the batt and the chassis. Its rusted heavily on the nut and the connectors. Its not going to come undone in a hurry so it got some oil on it and I will try to get it off later. However it does seem like a very solid connetion.

Ok Batt Num 3 is good and is coming out of a land rover 90 of the same yr. 1986 was a good one ) I know it works and can turn a 2.5L engine.

Fuses have been checked and all seem ok.

Also when turning the key and the lights go out, I get one flick of the wipers for some reason......

brb

Curly Jon

[WayneB]

A bad battery can still show 12 to 13 volts on the gauge , but not have enough amps to start a car due to a bad cell(thats why a LOAD test is important)

You could rig up a temporary earth with a jumper lead fom the battery - to the engine.

Also a temporary live lead to the starter motor.

If she still wont turn, maybe your starter solanoid is U/S.

You can test it by jumping over from the large posative terminal on the starter to the smaller terminal and see if it works then.

Sometimes if the starter is stuck, tapping on it with the wrong end of a large screwdriver might free it off.

[Curly Jon]

Ok,

Land Rover Batt resisted being removed and due blood..... The problem has changed..

Land Rover Batt in the Esprit

Esprit Batt now in Land Rover

Problem now is Land Rover does not start : o ) The upside is that the Esprit does.

I believe I need a new Batt and Dan and others will get beer if we make it for the Oxford Trip : o )

Thanks Chaps

Curly Jon

Edited February 19, 2006 by Curly Jon

[Guest Troy Halliday]

Ok I read through the post and can I suggest trying a new battery on the landy. Now I'm not positive but it might just work

[silverfrost]

Glad to see your all sorted

regards dan

[WayneB]

Used to battery problems here in Canada

Minus 25 degree C starts murders them

Bought a load tester for $20 and it saves a lot of screwing around.

Use a Motomaster Eliminator Battery on the Esprit (made by Exide, 1000cca)

Anybody tried the Orbital (spiral wound)batterys yet?

Edited February 19, 2006 by WayneB

[Splashout]

Jon Glad you got her going mate will be good to see you out on the road again!!

Can i suggest thought that you get the earth strap replaced as this caused me starting problems when i did my rebuild.

Be silly to leave it now you know its a bit crap.

Glyn

[Curly Jon]

Morning,

Howdy Splash, would be nice to go for a group drive as I have not made one for ages! I will work on the earth lead connection and I am also tempted on the batt load tester so I might get one off Ebay as the Esprit and Land Rover both sit for long periods of time.

Spare Batt number 3 is on charge and hopefully will work thus saving me from buying a new one, if not guss I will be getting a new one and giving the green party 3 duds!

Curly Jon

[Curly Jon]

Well I have ordered this and I will bring it to Oxford run for some random testing!

Batt Load tester

[JRTurbo909]

Use a Motomaster Eliminator Battery on the Esprit (made by Exide, 1000cca)

Anybody tried the Orbital (spiral wound)batterys yet?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I have the dry cell Orbital on my S2. It works great. I have actually had better luck with that than the Optima I had before. I highly suggest it...

Shah