Back home and in need of HELP

**BlueRob** · 28th October 2007, 19:39

Hey mates came back home last night and found out that my dad did not turn on my beast during the whole week...so I started it hopping the battery was not dead and turn it on with no probs, let the thing running for 20 minutes or so and turn it off. Half and hour latter I try to start it again to go home and.....

only got a clack clack sound while tunning the key, the interior lights of the dashboard instruments blinked at the same pace, sounds like some sort of a relay fault on the ignition...please help what can I check? I need my car running

HELP!

**Duncan** · 28th October 2007, 19:44

Sounds like the battery Rob. If there's not enough charge in the battery to start the car, but it still has charge in it, you get that distinctive clack-clack sound as it tries to give juice to the relays. I'm sure as soon as you charge the battery it'll be fine. Can you jump start the car from another car? If you can then just take it for a half hour drive and that should put a good bit of charge back into it.

I wouldn't have expected a battery to go flat after only a week though. I'd suggest that either the battery is on it's way out, or something in the car is pulling current when it shouldn't be. First thing I would do is get the battery tested with a a proper battery checker.

**Ian S100** · 28th October 2007, 19:44

Clean & check the battery & earth connections before you start looking at anything else!!

**Gsi3.2** · 28th October 2007, 19:45

it does sound like a faulty battery... if you can get a multimeter on the terminals you should have 12V minimum.. then when you turn the key it shouldn't go down below 10.5V... if it does then the battery is no good...if it stays above 10.5 V then it points to the starter motor...will the car jump start?..if it does, then it's the battery.. they don't last much more than 4 years anyway...how old would yours be Rob?

Oh, and welcome home Amigo..hope it was a good vacation..

**Gsi3.2** · 28th October 2007, 19:46

3 replies in 90 seconds.. we are good tonight aren't we..

**ed taylor** · 28th October 2007, 19:51

Welcome back, Rob, Hope you had a nice time and get your motor sorted soon, Yep I agree with the battery being at fault too.

**Duncan** · 28th October 2007, 19:52

Originally Posted by Gsi3.2

3 replies in 90 seconds.. we are good tonight aren't we..

Yeah, but I was first this time!

**Gsi3.2** · 28th October 2007, 19:57

I won't let it happen again..

:..

**BlueRob** · 28th October 2007, 20:21

Thanks a lot mates for the quick replays...I tried to jump start the battery last night and nothing happened, I will give it another try and plug a multimeter to see the voltage drop start up as suggested.
My battery it´s the original one so it´s a probable cause.....being my car a 2003 so its on its forth year of "life".
Let´s think for a moment that the battery is OK, if that is the case can I check something on the starter motor or relay (if any)? Any pointers will be much appreciated

Good vacation by the way

...I´ll upload some pics and a small write up ASAP
Thanks for the welcome peeps

**Gsi3.2** · 28th October 2007, 20:30

if the battery is okay, then the only other problem would be the starter solenoid..but for that to fail suddenly is a bit unlikely....my money is on the battery Rob...the fact that it 'clack clacks' and the lights dim make me think that the voltage drop is the cause...