Is this just an almost dead battery

[mug51]

Got in the car yesterday, turned on the engine as usual, 2 seconds later the engine turns off, as if you had stalled but without the jumping car. I try again, same happens. I check the clutch the gear stick everything is fine. I turn the key again to start the engine, after the engine started up I held it in the start engine position for a second more and stuck it into reverse and everything was fine after that.

I assume this was a dead battery? And using the car will charge the battery right?

Cheers, James

[GabbaGabbaHey]

Doesn't sound like battery to me. If the battery was dead (or low on charge), then the car wouldn't have started in the first place (and certainly would not have started 3 times).

Suddenly cutting out sounds like something electrical (e.g., plug leads, fusible links, battery cables or distributor) to me. Also it's possible that it's a fuel starvation issue, but that doesn't really match your symptoms.

[saintjanet]

Have to say it does not sound like it to me either,if it was it would turn over very slowly,and probably not start.

[Silent_Bob]

These symptons sound like the alternator has died and needs replacing - I'd be checking that out first. Check the leads to the spark plugs as well.

[waster]

These symptons sound like the alternator has died and needs replacing - I'd be checking that out first. Check the leads to the spark plugs as well.

If it was the alternator the battery would not be getting a charge when running and the electrics would be taking most of their power direct from the battery, including the huge drain when turning over the engine to start. The car would likely “die” within 15 - 20 mins at the most and would not be able to be restarted again. Even if used for less time than this the energy left in then battery would probably not be sufficient to turn the engine over again. In other words if the alternator is knackered you may get one or at the most two starts before the battery dies too.

IMO, this is probably an electrical fault due to a poor or dry connection or an issue with one of the many computer controlled pieces of equipment found in modern cars. Or if it is an older car then again the electrics are likely the problem.

I cannot remember the exact statistics, but of all breakdowns where the engine cuts out, electric faults account for something like 85%.

[peter999]

I have had Alternator failure, here are exact symptoms:

Battery has rundown to very low charge but is able to start engine initially.
Drive car for 10-15 minutes, then car misfires & stops, as battery is now completely flat (particularly at night when using lights).

After 10-15 minutes, you can likely restart car, as battery has recovered enough charge.

And so on with car cutting out, battery recovering then restarting car after 10 minutes.
.

[redux]

On the first attempt, did the motor spin? Did any dashboard or other lights dim right out?

It could be an intermittent connection to the starter solenoid, which moves the drive wheel on the starter motor to engage with the ring gear. A similar possibility is the solenoid not disengaging after the last start, in which case put the car in gear with the ignition off and rock it backwards and forwards slightly to disengage it.