Technical Car cranks for a split second then stops.

[Cam3roon2k41999]

Hi, my car has been parked up for about 3 weeks and needed a new battery as it was reading 10.2v and was an old battery. I just got my new battery today and it’s cranking for a split second then stopping. It’s as if the battery is dead but it’s reading 12.6v. And all electrics are working.

I disconnected the body earth a month ago cleaned it and reconnected as it was corroded and all other earths seem good.

I have never had an issue with starting until now even though it’s been stood for weeks.
Does anyone know what could be the issue? Thanks

 

[bugsymike]

Hi, my car has been parked up for about 3 weeks and needed a new battery as it was reading 10.2v and was an old battery. I just got my new battery today and it’s cranking for a split second then stopping. It’s as if the battery is dead but it’s reading 12.6v. And all electrics are working.

I disconnected the body earth a month ago cleaned it and reconnected as it was corroded and all other earths seem good.

I have never had an issue with starting until now even though it’s been stood for weeks.
Does anyone know what could be the issue? Thanks

Any chance the relay in fuse box under bonnet N/S.
Some years ago daughter had a 06 Grande Punto 1.3 MJ that starter wouldn't crank, the relay that actuated the starter on hers also triggers the fuel pump.
By bridging the live relay socket with a fused link I could then activate the fuel pump and also the starter from the key.
The fault can be a dodgy relay etc. But in her case it was the trigger wire from the ECU that activates the relay, it had rotted through inside the plastic.
So if you test/bridge that relay it will at least eliminate that side.

 

[Cam3roon2k41999]

Any chance the relay in fuse box under bonnet N/S.
Some years ago daughter had a 06 Grande Punto 1.3 MJ that starter wouldn't crank, the relay that actuated the starter on hers also triggers the fuel pump.
By bridging the live relay socket with a fused link I could then activate the fuel pump and also the starter from the key.
The fault can be a dodgy relay etc. But in her case it was the trigger wire from the ECU that activates the relay, it had rotted through inside the plastic.
So if you test/bridge that relay it will at least eliminate that side.

Thanks. I’ll try that. The starter is working but sounds like the flywheel is jamming. I get a clunk as if the starter is trying to turn it but it just stops after half of second. I hope the engine isn’t seized how could that even happen? lol. Do you know what relay it is? Thanks

 

[bugsymike]

Thanks. I’ll try that. The starter is working but sounds like the flywheel is jamming. I get a clunk as if the starter is trying to turn it but it just stops after half of second. I hope the engine isn’t seized how could that even happen? lol. Do you know what relay it is? Thanks

It was some years ago so can't recall which.
However from what you mention about jamming doesn't sound good.
With engine off and key out can you try turning engine with a socket on the crank pulley several revolutions to ensure nothing mechanical is an issue.
If you are getting a "clunk" that would appear to rule out relay side.
I would just check as above that engine is free first, then worry about starter/battery/leads side.
No loss of coolant or other issues prior to problem?

 

[Cam3roon2k41999]

It was some years ago so can't recall which.
However from what you mention about jamming doesn't sound good.
With engine off and key out can you try turning engine with a socket on the crank pulley several revolutions to ensure nothing mechanical is an issue.
If you are getting a "clunk" that would appear to rule out relay side.
I would just check as above that engine is free first, then worry about starter/battery/leads side.
No loss of coolant or other issues prior to problem?

Thanks. Oil is good and coolant also. I forgot to mention with my old dead battery attached with jump cables it rapidly clicks loud but doesn’t start but clunks with the new one. Could I try putting the car in gear then attempt to start to see if it jumps forward I don’t have a breaker bar to try turn engine over Lmao

 

[bugsymike]

Thanks. Oil is good and coolant also. I forgot to mention with my old dead battery attached with jump cables it rapidly clicks loud but doesn’t start but clunks with the new one. Could I try putting the car in gear then attempt to start to see if it jumps forward I don’t have a breaker bar to try turn engine over Lmao

Personally I would turn engine as I described several revolution by hand or even using a spanner on pulley, if you turn it slowly any compression will go so you should be able to do it.
The danger with trying to tow/bump start etc. is if there is a mechanical problem, you may break something even more expensive.
Again many years ago I went out to a customer who said the recovery / tow truck operator told them they needed a starter after towing with their 7.5 tonne lorry.
On checking engine I found the reason the engine wouldn't turn over was a leaking headgasket filling combustion chamber with water causing a "hydraulic lock", bad enough however the "tow" on a locked engine bent the con rod on that cylinder, so vehicle was scrapped as a result when all it needed was a new head gasket and a skim/machine of cylinder head while off.

 

[Cam3roon2k41999]

Personally I would turn engine as I described several revolution by hand or even using a spanner on pulley, if you turn it slowly any compression will go so you should be able to do it.
The danger with trying to tow/bump start etc. is if there is a mechanical problem, you may break something even more expensive.
Again many years ago I went out to a customer who said the recovery / tow truck operator told them they needed a starter after towing with their 7.5 tonne lorry.
On checking engine I found the reason the engine wouldn't turn over was a leaking headgasket filling combustion chamber with water causing a "hydraulic lock", bad enough however the "tow" on a locked engine bent the con rod on that cylinder, so vehicle was scrapped as a result when all it needed was a new head gasket and a skim/machine of cylinder head while off.

Oh god. I’ll try get a breaker bar from somewhere and see if I can loosen it. It’s very strange how it’s happened all of a sudden. I did get a little bit of alternator whine last month when battery only just managed to start the car but it stopped after about 30 seconds and battery was reading 13.8v when started.

 

[bugsymike]

Oh god. I’ll try get a breaker bar from somewhere and see if I can loosen it. It’s very strange how it’s happened all of a sudden. I did get a little bit of alternator whine last month when battery only just managed to start the car but it stopped after about 30 seconds and battery was reading 13.8v when started.

You should be able to turn it with a spanner if you can get in there as it's a petrol engine, I have turned them over just using the fan belt in the past. Just watch your fingers.
You could remove the spark plugs to make it easier.
The main thing is ignition off /key out for safety.

 

[Cam3roon2k41999]

You should be able to turn it with a spanner if you can get in there as it's a petrol engine, I have turned them over just using the fan belt in the past. Just watch your fingers.
You could remove the spark plugs to make it easier.
The main thing is ignition off /key out for safety.

Thanks , I’ll give it a go and get back to you. I hope it’s not completely bust lol

 

[Cam3roon2k41999]

Oh god. I’ll try get a breaker bar from somewhere and see if I can loosen it. It’s very strange how it’s happened all of a sudden. I did get a little bit of alternator whine last month when battery only just managed to start the car but it stopped after about 30 seconds and battery was reading 13.8v when started.

Thanks , I’ll give it a go and get back to you. I hope it’s not completely bust lol

Hi, I thought I’d just share this link to a video. This is what mine sounds like. Lights aren’t dimming or anything but sounds exactly the sameskip to 39 seconds.

 

[bugsymike]

Basically what I said.
At the end of the day put a spanner on it and see if engine turns over a few revolutions without hitting anything.
Mind you I have seen a starter jammed in to the flywheel sound similar.
If engine is jammed solid, then you are unlikely to damage further, so you could put it in 3rd gear with brake off and just try rocking the car forward and back if on level ground with ignition off.
If you do that with the bonnet open you can watch to see if engine tries to turn or not.
Bare in mind if on a slope and you give it a good push, it may solve the problem permanently.

 

[Cam3roon2k41999]

Basically what I said.
At the end of the day put a spanner on it and see if engine turns over a few revolutions without hitting anything.
Mind you I have seen a starter jammed in to the flywheel sound similar.
If engine is jammed solid, then you are unlikely to damage further, so you could put it in 3rd gear with brake off and just try rocking the car forward and back if on level ground with ignition off.
If you do that with the bonnet open you can watch to see if engine tries to turn or not.
Bear in mind if on a slope and you give it a good push, it may solve the problem permanently.

Thanks. I’m going to go try it in a min. I’ll let you know

 

[Cam3roon2k41999]

Basically what I said.
At the end of the day put a spanner on it and see if engine turns over a few revolutions without hitting anything.
Mind you I have seen a starter jammed in to the flywheel sound similar.
If engine is jammed solid, then you are unlikely to damage further, so you could put it in 3rd gear with brake off and just try rocking the car forward and back if on level ground with ignition off.
If you do that with the bonnet open you can watch to see if engine tries to turn or not.
Bear in mind if on a slope and you give it a good push, it may solve the problem permanently.

ENGINE NOT SIEZED thank god. I do apologise when I said it’s not cranking it is in fact cranking I just wasn’t holding the key long enough. It’s cranking very slow.

 

[bugsymike]

ENGINE NOT SIEZED thank god. I do apologise when I said it’s not cranking it is in fact cranking I just wasn’t holding the key long enough. It’s cranking very slow.

After a little cranking does the starter get hot (as starters if flogged over for a length of time burn the windings out internally and then turn very slowly and get hot), or some of the wires as that will show a fault.
Just to confirm it isn't a starter issue, can you use a good battery and jump leads, or just put the one jump lead from the negative/earth terminal directly to the engine casting to act as a good earth.

 

[Cam3roon2k41999]

After a little cranking does the starter get hot (as starters if flogged over for a length of time burn the windings out internally and then turn very slowly and get hot), or some of the wires as that will show a fault.
Just to confirm it isn't a starter issue, can you use a good battery and jump leads, or just put the one jump lead from the negative/earth terminal directly to the engine casting to act as a good

After a little cranking does the starter get hot (as starters if flogged over for a length of time burn the windings out internally and then turn very slowly and get hot), or some of the wires as that will show a fault.
Just to confirm it isn't a starter issue, can you use a good battery and jump leads, or just put the one jump lead from the negative/earth terminal directly to the engine casting to act as a good earth.

After a little cranking does the starter get hot (as starters if flogged over for a length of time burn the windings out internally and then turn very slowly and get hot), or some of the wires as that will show a fault.
Just to confirm it isn't a starter issue, can you use a good battery and jump leads, or just put the one jump lead from the negative/earth terminal directly to the engine casting to act as a good earth.

I touched the positive wire of the starter and only felt very slightly warm after a few attempts for about 5 seconds cranking. I attached a jump lead from the negative of battery to the chassis and also tried attaching to engine but doesn’t seem to make a difference. After 10 mins I tried it again I heard a weird screech sound from the starter so I tried to push the car back and forth in gear and I could replicate the screech sound when pushing just not as loud.

 

[AnthonyH]

I've had mine sat doing nothing for a few weeks and then it won't want to start. I bump started it and then it carried on like nothing happened. I don't know why, but its happened more than once and no ill effects.

If the alternator has been whining in recent memory it has possibly died. Just because its reading 13.8V doesn't mean its supplying lots of current, and it could still be dead. But its probably ok. This wouldn't stop the car starting anyway, just not charge up the new battery properly.

 

[Cam3roon2k41999]

I've had mine sat doing nothing for a few weeks and then it won't want to start. I bump started it and then it carried on like nothing happened. I don't know why, but its happened more than once and no ill effects.

If the alternator has been whining in recent memory it has possibly died. Just because it’s reading 13.8V doesn't mean it’s supplying lots of current, and it could still be dead. But it’s probably ok. This wouldn't stop the car starting anyway, just not charge up the new battery properly.

Honestly. It kind of adds character to the car when all these things happen. Utilises 100% of my brain I have a few other small issues with mine like radio lights are always on , ignition turns the head unit off but then lights are still on behind the buttons I ended up punching the radio when I got annoyed and it fixed it for about a week , and reverse grinds so hard when I first set off. Apart from that I’ve had no other mechanical issues with it that’s why I’m surprised it won’t start lol

 

[AnthonyH]

Honestly. It kind of adds character to the car when all these things happen. Utilises 100% of my brain I have a few other small issues with mine like radio lights are always on , ignition turns the head unit off but then lights are still on behind the buttons I ended up punching the radio when I got annoyed and it fixed it for about a week , and reverse grinds so hard when I first set off. Apart from that I’ve had no other mechanical issues with it that’s why I’m surprised it won’t start lol

This is all part of the fun, although my car is kind of boring at the moment. It randomly wouldn't work when my wife took it to work a couple of months ago, but I couldn't find anything wrong with it and its not failed since.

I learnt the reverse grind trick a while ago from another forum poster...what you gotta do is depress the clutch for two seconds then put it into reverse and voila it no longer crunches.

 

[bugsymike]

This is all part of the fun, although my car is kind of boring at the moment. It randomly wouldn't work when my wife took it to work a couple of months ago, but I couldn't find anything wrong with it and its not failed since.

I learnt the reverse grind trick a while ago from another forum poster...what you gotta do is depress the clutch for two seconds then put it into reverse and voila it no longer crunches.

Another thing is to put it into a forward gear before trying to engage reverse, or reverse into your parking space so you drive out with a gear that has synchro mesh on it (forward gears).
Of course if it is a faulty hydraulics issue then this will make no difference which gear.
Also if oil getting on clutch sometimes slipping the clutch a bit for a short time can burn the oil from the clutch plate if that is the cause.

 

[Cam3roon2k41999]

This is all part of the fun, although my car is kind of boring at the moment. It randomly wouldn't work when my wife took it to work a couple of months ago, but I couldn't find anything wrong with it and its not failed since.

I learnt the reverse grind trick a while ago from another forum poster...what you gotta do is depress the clutch for two seconds then put it into reverse and voila it no longer crunches.

I tried that for reverse but it didn’t work. What I did was shift into first then straight into reverse and 95% of the time seems to work. I forgot , the LCD Instrument display illuminates but doesn’t show anything rarely works