Technical Random Starting Issue

[Cainkapow]

Okay so I bough a Fiat Punto grande (06) today, second hand that had an MOT done this morning before purchase.

I took the car for a drive and I was a aware of some cosmetic issues that can be easily fixed, however there’s one issue over the past 12 hours that has me worried.

After driving the car for around 15 minutes, I stalled the car and it wouldn’t start, when turning the key there was a very loud “clicking” noise coming from near the passenger footwell.

I managed to get someone with some jumpleads and they helped get the car started and get me home. I drove for around an hour on the motorway and all seemed fine.

I then went to work for a few hours and went for a drive after, the car started immediately and again, drive without issue.

I went I to the shop for less than 5 minutes, went to start the car again and I got the same “clicking” and it wouldn’t start.

Luckily a member of staff had some jump leads that gotvthe car going again.

I was thinking it’s an issue with the battery holding it’s Cather but the clicking seems more sinister.

I’m a novice when it comes to cars and I’ve tried diagnosing the issue online but with various possibilities and no real idea on how to start pinpointing the issue.

Ca anyone help out?

Thanks in advance

 

[cmosfxx]

Clicking noise is a classic on these cars when the battery is very low and can't even turn the starter.

Just replace the battery with a new one and have the charging system tested as well.

 

[Bernievarian]

Hi (who?) and welcome by the way...

Would have been nice to know -at least- what engine you've got on the car !

The only fact that the car starts with jumpleads directly pinpoint to the battery OR poor earthing/positive wiring, here is why:

- a dying battery will have lower voltage at rest.
- a poor earthing -or positive- wiring will cause a drop in voltage when current peaks (at start)

Both those bad effects are compensated with jumpleads since usually the other car would be running so the voltage would be higher (14.5v vs 12 ish).

The very-very-very first thing to do is to check your battery connections (terminals) are clean and tight (DIY), if ok, then have the battery and charging circuit checked (PRO); if both are ok, then you'll have to look for corroded earthpoint, dammaged cable, etc. as described many-many times in this forum (DIY or PRO depending on your skills).

If you have to replace the battery, go for the largest that fits in the holder, even remove the plastic/rubber thingy that limits the room on certain models ...

And finally take akready the good habit to TELL US how you get on ...

BRs, Bernie

If someone here helped You fix -or better, understand- your issue, hit the thanks icon @ bottom right corner, it's free and makes us feel helpy ;-)

 

[Cainkapow]

Huge thanks for the reply guys,

I have a couple of hours before work this morning so I will have a good look at the battery and will give the connectors a good scrub with some wire wool and see if that helps.

Thanks again

 

[Cainkapow]

I gave the battery a scrub earlier and had no success, I’ve nobody around to jump the car so can’t see if it’s an issue holding charge or not.

I’ve bought a new battery that I will be collecting tomorrow and I seriously hope this will fix the issue.

Thanks again gents

 

[Cainkapow]

I’ve just fitted my new battery and everything is going as it should.

Huge thanks guys

 

[Bernievarian]

New battery = full of power off the shelf; but IF your charging circuit is at fault the symptoms will reappear soon, so I recommend to have it checked asap ...

If you have a multimeter, you should read 12,6 (ish)volts on the battery terminals with engine NOT running, and 14,5 (ish) volts with engine running and alternator charging ok.

BTW, thanks for the update !!

BRs, Bernie

If someone here helped You fix -or better, understand- your issue, hit the thanks icon @ bottom right corner, it's free and makes us feel helpy ;-)