Technical Car Wont Start

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Technical Car Wont Start

psychofox

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Morning all,

Went to drive the car last night (MK1 Punto) and the damn thing wouldn't start :bang:
It sounded like a flat battery (turn the key, engine tries to start but gives up with no power). Called a mate to jump it and it it didn't work :confused: Suddenly thinking I need a new battery (its about two years old) :cry: then I realised the lights are on and the wipers and radio works, so the battery is fine :eek:

Does this sound like an alternator or starter motor issue?

The last couple of drives i noticed that the car struggled to start from cold (I chalked it up to the cold weather) i.e. i'd drive to the supermarket, car would slightly struggle to start, but starting the car to drive back there wouldn't be any issue at all.

Is there anything else it could be?
 
Have you tried a good old fashioned bump start?

If it works runs and the battery light doesn't stay illuminated then it's probably the starter.

Although starting voltage is higher than that required to run everything else. If it does work could try switching it off then on again to see if the starter is working.
 
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No, didn't try that. The car is parked on a main road, we held up enough traffic just trying the battery boost. I wasn't to keen is pushing back again if it was the battery.
 
Does the starter motor sound different from when you usually start? Sometimes the solenoid can get stuck, its not a permanent solution but if you give the starter motor a big whack, sometimes this frees the solenoid and it'll start up again. If the engine is turning over like it usually does and just not catching then this is unlikely to be the problem though.
 
If starter sounds like battery is flat it could be battery doesn't hold enough juice to start it. But i see you tried jump start and didn't work my bet is on starter its dead
If starter sounds normal but engine wont start check if you are getting enough fuel pressure and if you get any spark from spark plugs. :bang:
See if keycode light goes off. :D
Try to go to you nearest dealer to read codes from ecu
And it could be my favorite thing crank sensor if its dead or dying car wont start :mad::mad:
 
If you can find a way of bump starting it that would be the best place to start, could you try late at night when there is less traffic?

You said you got a mate to try and jump start but that doesn't always work.
I once tried to jump start a Hyundai Getz with a completely flat battery, left the cars connected for a few mins to begin to charge its battery, still wasn't able to start it, got a friend to rev my car up whilst I tried again (more revs = more potential alternator output) but still nothing, the Getz wasn't even turning over. In the end I left it on a battery charger for about 3 hours and then it fired right up and has been fine ever since.
 
If you can find a way of bump starting it that would be the best place to start, could you try late at night when there is less traffic?

You said you got a mate to try and jump start but that doesn't always work.
I once tried to jump start a Hyundai Getz with a completely flat battery, left the cars connected for a few mins to begin to charge its battery, still wasn't able to start it, got a friend to rev my car up whilst I tried again (more revs = more potential alternator output) but still nothing, the Getz wasn't even turning over. In the end I left it on a battery charger for about 3 hours and then it fired right up and has been fine ever since.

you need decent power from all 6 of the batteries cells ,
if 1 x cell dies it'll NEVER go..,

wipers - it's an electric motor..but no where near the electrical load of cranking an engine,
I'd just put another battery on it.. - maybe the one from your mates car..;)

as it's only a test.(y)

it COULD go with a push.. but remember to prime the fuel - and keep the ignition ON - so the steering doesn't lock
 
you need decent power from all 6 of the batteries cells ,
if 1 x cell dies it'll NEVER go..,

wipers - it's an electric motor..but no where near the electrical load of cranking an engine,
I'd just put another battery on it.. - maybe the one from your mates car..;)

as it's only a test.(y)

it COULD go with a push.. but remember to prime the fuel - and keep the ignition ON - so the steering doesn't lock

Didn't think of that, so it could be the battery.

Its going to the garage tomorrow, fingers crossed it isn't anything serious.
 
Left it to my brother to do it as I was at work. They told him it was the battery. Car wont start for me so i am going in late and going to the garage myself
 
how did the garage visit go..?

Went t the garage, they said its because the battery is dead. Boosted it, and it started fine. I drove around for half an hour, fingers crossed it will be ok when I get home from work.

How long should I drive it around for to keep the battery in good nic?
 
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