yet another problem

[mattyt]

I went away for xmas so my beloved car was standing for about a week . . i get back and try to start it and its dead as a doornail . . i blamed the cold so got hold of some jump leads, hooked it all up and nothing. . decided to get pushing . . got it started and went to the petrol station turned the ignition off payed for my fuel came back out and it started fine . . went to asda come out and dead as a nail again . . sat for an hour in a freezing car park wasnt pleasant . . im thinking starter motor but anybody got any ideas?

help is much appreciated

[jdizzy]

do you have an alarm?

[mattyt]

no i dont have an alarm . .. jus the ff immobiliser i think

[badasssaxo]

Could be a dodgy connection to starter motor i.e. Worn or dirty wiring connections

[jdizzy]

hmm... do you have a sub? or your alternator could not be charging your battery.

[mattyt]

if it was the battery then the jump leads should of worked?

[Old_Bean]

You should get around 12v-13v off the battery when the engine if off. start the engine and should get 14v (that's the alternator charging)

If its the starter motor you can access all the wires by moving the air box assembley and i found if you get underneath with a torch you can shine it up and get a better view on the starter motor.

Got a SM from the breakers £20.

Hope that helps

[RJ303]

Had a BMW that did that - turned out there was a "dead" spot on the starter. Got a new one fitted and never did it after that.

[Old_Bean]

if it was the battery then the jump leads should of worked?

I thought mine was the battery then i thought alternator but for me turned out to be the starter motor.

The other thing i found is like i said above 12v off battery (engine off) but when i left the voltmeter on the connections and started it the voltage was going to 0. and not firing up (starter motor)

It should be 12v engine off, then drop for a split second to 10-11v when you turn the key then 14v (alternator charge)

[Old_Bean]

Had a BMW that did that - turned out there was a "dead" spot on the starter. Got a new one fitted and never did it after that.

Exactly what i had and that dead spot meant the battery voltagw was being drawn by the starter but then not making a connection to fire it up.