Technical MK2b won't start, won't turn over.

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Technical MK2b won't start, won't turn over.

Creepy Nick

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Apr 5, 2014
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Attempted to start my punto earlier, got it started with a little acceleration for a few seconds before it stalled.

After this, any attempt to start it fails. Doesn't turn over, tries to for a split second before it all goes quiet.

When my ignition is turned, my lights work fine, so the battery isn't dead?
Jump start didn't change anything
Last driven 3 days ago.

Help! I don't mind if you're patronising, I'm ignorant towards cars :/
 
when the key's turned to position 2, can you hear the fuel pump prime, a slight hum from under the rear seat. My initial thought. does the starter motor still try to engage also?
 
when the key's turned to position 2, can you hear the fuel pump prime, a slight hum from under the rear seat. My initial thought. does the starter motor still try to engage also?

Yes it does prime, it 'tries' to start for about half a second or so, before slowing to a halt and silence.
 
That's normal for the fuel pump.

First guess is that the battery is too flat to turn the engine over. The starter draw is vastly more than the lights. Recharge or jump leads.

Second is an earth fault. Try a single jumper lead from battery negative to a solid, metallic part of the engine or gearbox.

Tried a jump start earlier, made no difference. still fails to even crank up, it does for a split second then slows to a stop :(
You mean a single jump lead from my negative terminal to a metal part of the engine?
 
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Tried a jump start earlier, made no difference. still fails to even crank up, it does for a split second then slows to a stop :(
You mean a single jump lead from my negative terminal to a metal part of the engine?


So we have a no start situation
Check
A the battery voltage is okay
B The battery terminals are clean and secure

The negative jump lead on engine mount and then to the battery negative is a good way when the engine turns over poorly due to a poorly earth

Ziggy
 
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So we have a no start situation
Check
A the battery voltage is okay
B The battery terminals are clean and secure

The negative jump lead on engine mount and then to the battery negative is a good way when the engine turns over poorly due to a poorly earth

Ziggy


Negative to ground didn't do anything either. I'll upload a video to show you what its doing.
 
The starter is engaging but no engine turning over (solenoid on starter working)

Id be checking thr engine can turn over by hand

Either the battery is flat as a pancake ir id suspect the starter has died

If you stick the battery on charge overnight you will rule out the flat battery which is possible with this freezing weather if your battery was low anyway.

Then I would start looking at the starter motor
 
I'll check the battery voltages tomorrow

worthwhile ;)

so the lights all show on dash.?.,
do they DIM when you turn key..attempting to start engine..??

TBH if the battery voltages come back fine,

I would be tempted to towstart the vehicle, ;)
should start instantly if all is well(y)
( be aware you brakes will be POOR with the engine not running, HEAVY steering too..|!)

do NOT tow it around for more than a few seconds though,as you could pump unburnt fuel into the exhaust poisoning the Catalyst(n):cry:

once running you can test the output of the alternator too, a common cause of a failing battery, :(
charlie
 
worthwhile ;)

so the lights all show on dash.?.,
do they DIM when you turn key..attempting to start engine..??

TBH if the battery voltages come back fine,

I would be tempted to towstart the vehicle, ;)
should start instantly if all is well(y)
( be aware you brakes will be POOR with the engine not running, HEAVY steering too..|!)

do NOT tow it around for more than a few seconds though,as you could pump unburnt fuel into the exhaust poisoning the Catalyst(n):cry:

once running you can test the output of the alternator too, a common cause of a failing battery, :(
charlie

i tow started my mk1 few times and never had any problems with mot
luck?
 
i tow started my mk1 few times and never had any problems with mot
luck?

as long as it fires quickly..it's no different to cranking on the key,;)

if it starts fine for OP, then they can let it run for a few mins,
check the alternator output, park it in a safe/convenient place,
then switch off and see if it'll restart instantly..,(y)

if not then likely to be battery/starter,:(

Charlie
 
Turns out to be the battery, put a new one in and it starts fine.

Not a clue why the battery died after 3 nights of not running it D:
Problem fixed after £90
 
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