Technical Dashboard error - car doesn't start :(

Currently reading:
Technical Dashboard error - car doesn't start :(

CaroZal

New member
Joined
Jan 14, 2021
Messages
3
Points
2
Hi everyone,

As I don't have any friends who are mechanics and before I go to garage, I would like to gain some advice from you lovely people.

Today I drove to work just fine but unfortunately I could not start my car on a way back! I put my key in to the ignition and nothing happens, no noise from the engine NOTHING. The radio and the lights are working fine, all electrics inside the car is working perfectly fine. On the dashboard though I noticed two errors: fuel cut off - unavailable and abs unavailable. After checking handbook, I followed the steps of the reset after an accident (that I did not have) but no luck. My colleague helped with unplugging and plugging again the battery but still nothing! I managed to drive home after a push start but right after getting home, turning engine off I could yet again not switch it back on...

I asked my neighbour to use jump start thinking it could be a battery but this has done nothing at all. No noise, no movement, no nothing...

Could anyone advise what it could be? I would like to have some knowledge before I go to a mechanic to not to get ripped off... Or is there anything I could try myself?

Many thanks for your replies.
~Caro
 
This sounds like the starter motor or the switch that starts it has a problem. If jump starting dies not help and the car runs ok otherwise, that's the most likely cause. Do you hear a click when you try to start?
 
This sounds like the starter motor or the switch that starts it has a problem. If jump starting dies not help and the car runs ok otherwise, that's the most likely cause. Do you hear a click when you try to start?
Hi Gina500, thanks for your reply.

One of my friend also mentioned that starter motor could be an issue. Car drove perfectly fine with the push start, managed to do 11 miles back home. At first when I tried turning it on I could hear a very faint click, but now can't hear anything when trying to start it.
 
Dashboard error - car doesn't start ?

Fuel cut off unavailable just means the fuel cut off that activates in the event of a crash is not working. Your fuel is still pumping as normal.

As well as the starter it’s worth checking the main earth cable as that is the main earth for the car especially the starter and steering both which have powerful motors and need a good earth.

Underneath the battery tray there is a cable that runs from the chassis leg to the gearbox. Often has a plastic sheath over it. These are known to fall apart and fail. I recently changed one that had completely disintegrated.

Worth checking this before thinking about the starter motor.

The replacement cables are £4 on eBay brand new.
 
im betting on the starter motor! but could be the earth cable.... my neighbours 500 did the same thing a few weeks back and it was the starter motor …...the dreaded tick tick tick! so I swapped it out for her (had a spare)
slayer.gif
 
Dashboard error - car doesn't start ?

im betting on the starter motor! but could be the earth cable.... my neighbours 500 did the same thing a few weeks back and it was the starter motor …...the dreaded tick tick tick! so I swapped it out for her (had a spare)
slayer.gif



They also make that tick tick with flat battery or duff earth lead.
 
Hi everyone!

Thank you all for your messages and giving me some understanding and ideas on what the problem could be. I went to garage and it was indeed starter motor that needed to be replaced as it was completely dead! £30 for the recovery service (not enough neighbours to push start it haha) £160 for new motor... £190 less in the pocket but at least my little white bean is now back on the roads! :) thanks again!
 
Sounds good, glad you're back on the road.
Btw, the ABS lights coming up after a push start is quite common. It goes away after the next proper start. Probably the system gets confused by the wheels already turning when the power comes up.
 
Back
Top