Technical Car does not start

[KD007]

Hi,

Have a Fiat Linea 2010, Multijet Diesel model.

I have put a new battery, new starter kit.

At the fuel station, once I am done filling fuel and everything. The car just refuses to start.
No cranking, No Noise, Just dead......It takes a push to start again....this has been going on for more than 6-8 months now. The very reason that I changed the battery & starter.

Do help...Thanks in advance.

 

[jackwhoo]

Does this happen every time you want to start car or intermittently?

 

[Bernievarian]

Do you have the lights on the dashboard ? If so check earth cable, section between chassis and gearbox, install a jumper lead and the engine should start if the cable was bad and the starter is good...
If nothing gets better, drive the starter relay directly from positive using a screwdriver (if you don't know EXACTLY what to do DON'T) If this doesn't work neither, the positive lead from battery to starter may be your issue, try to install a jumper cable on it...

Of course I guess you already checked for bad/lose connectors ... ?

Regards, Bernie

 

[glenn2602]

Have you got a battery booster cable - a 'jump start' cable?

Put one clip on the battery negative terminal and the other clip somewhere on the engine/inner wing to create an earth. Then try and start the car.

If the car starts - this is pointing to a problem in your battery cables .. i.e broken wire strands/corrosion - particularly the battery negative (black lead) which may have a 'bad earth'.

 

[KD007]

Does this happen every time you want to start car or intermittently?

intermittently

 

[KD007]

Do you have the lights on the dashboard ? If so check earth cable, section between chassis and gearbox, install a jumper lead and the engine should start if the cable was bad and the starter is good...
If nothing gets better, drive the starter relay directly from positive using a screwdriver (if you don't know EXACTLY what to do DON'T) If this doesn't work neither, the positive lead from battery to starter may be your issue, try to install a jumper cable on it...

Of course I guess you already checked for bad/lose connectors ... ?

Regards, Bernie

Hi,

checked for all bad/loose connections. All fine.
Cables seem to be fine too.

No lights on the dashboard.
This issue was the main reason for me to change the battery & put in a new starter kit.

However the problem was away for a cpl of months and now has started again.

 

[KD007]

Have you got a battery booster cable - a 'jump start' cable?

Put one clip on the battery negative terminal and the other clip somewhere on the engine/inner wing to create an earth. Then try and start the car.

If the car starts - this is pointing to a problem in your battery cables .. i.e broken wire strands/corrosion - particularly the battery negative (black lead) which may have a 'bad earth'.

No jump cables. Have not tried this that u have said.
Maybe if the problem comes up again, I can try.

Usually I have to push start the car. Or give the battery terminals a decent tap with a spanner or something.

 

[Bernievarian]

No jump cables. Have not tried this that u have said.
Maybe if the problem comes up again, I can try.

Usually I have to push start the car. Or give the battery terminals a decent tap with a spanner or something.

Your last sentence gives the origin of the problem no ??

- remove terminals (negative first)
- clean both sides (battery and cable) with a wirebrush or sandpaper
- re-connect (positive first)
- coat the terminals with protection grease
- your car should start 1/4 turn

Regards, Bernie

 

[glenn2602]

As Bernievarian has just said .. that gives you the answer to your problem!

If you're not sure what you're doing, visit a workshop - you'll have a fixed car within 5 minutes.

It's your battery/cables/bad earth ....

 

[GPdundeelad]

Probs bad earth from the starter had same problem they pute new cable on for me and I pute some c.v grease on it cause salt and water from the road causes bad earth

 

[KD007]

Your last sentence gives the origin of the problem no ??

- remove terminals (negative first)
- clean both sides (battery and cable) with a wirebrush or sandpaper
- re-connect (positive first)
- coat the terminals with protection grease
- your car should start 1/4 turn

Regards, Bernie

Nope ....Doesn't solve the problem.
The sandpaper/Jelly/ tightening has all been done. Still the problem persists.

 

[jackwhoo]

It is frustrating but you are doing really well trying to sort this out.
Until you said tapping the battery terminals makes it work temporarily , I was wondering about the ignition switch or wire from ignition switch to starter.
For fault finding you could attach a second wire to the solenoid on starter (use a piggy back push on connector which leaves existing wire connected too)feed wire up and secure near battery but not where it could accidentally touch battery +. When fault occurs touch this wires exposed end on battery + , if engine then cranks on starter report back.
If it doesn't then crank on starter the the fault MUST be with either of the thick battery wires and you can confidently change both or one at a time till problem solved.

If you don't want to do the above have the thick battery wires replaced with new ones and report back .

 

[glenn2602]

Check the cleanliness and tightness of the earth cable where it fits to the engine block.

Try fitting a second earth cable from the battery negative terminal to anywhere on the inner wing/engine block.

 

[KD007]

It is frustrating but you are doing really well trying to sort this out.
Until you said tapping the battery terminals makes it work temporarily , I was wondering about the ignition switch or wire from ignition switch to starter.
For fault finding you could attach a second wire to the solenoid on starter (use a piggy back push on connector which leaves existing wire connected too)feed wire up and secure near battery but not where it could accidentally touch battery +. When fault occurs touch this wires exposed end on battery + , if engine then cranks on starter report back.
If it doesn't then crank on starter the the fault MUST be with either of the thick battery wires and you can confidently change both or one at a time till problem solved.

If you don't want to do the above have the thick battery wires replaced with new ones and report back .

I know...It is frustrating..
I guess i'll change the 2 fat wires to the battery terminals & give it a shot.
My mechanic is more frustrated than me...cause every time he bears the brunt of my frustration ...LOL ...
Hope for the best.

 

[Bernievarian]

Which battery terminal do you have to tapp in order to have the engine starting ?
Is the positive one the "with fuses" type ?
When you say " no dashboard light " do you mean no light AT ALL or simply no warning light ?

Regards, Bernie

 

[jackwhoo]

Please post a photograph under bonnet showing battery and about 30 cm around battery.

 

[KD007]

Thanks for your inputs guys.
My car is currently with my parents and I will get it in a day or two.
Will try to change the cables & give it a try and then update you all here.
Thanks for your help & inputs.

 

[KD007]

Hey Guys,
Thanks for all your help.
I have replaced the fat wires from the battery terminal and it has been 2 days now, the car seems to be running fine.
So far so good.
Hope this solves the issue.
Thanks again for all your inputs.
Cheers!!

 

[jackwhoo]

Very very pleased for you.

Please post the photo requested in case problem rears its ugly head again.

I'm keeping everything crossed for you.

Jack

 

[Bernievarian]

Hi there, thanks for the update, it's so rare, I'm glad your issue is fixed

A serious diagnostic would have saved you a new battery and starter kit though, plus a few months frustration !
For future posters, what "fat" battery cable(s) have you replaced ? What was the cost ? Could you possibly add some pics ?

Regards, Bernie