Advice please....My car will not start

shiprob195

I will start at the beginning. I have a 1993 Astra 1.4 merit. Battery replaced Dec 10.

Started having "starting problems" 2 weeks ago. I took it to the Battery garage where I purchased the new battery 12 months ago. They tested the battery (ok). So I took it to my local independent garage. They tested the battery (ok).....said it would need a new alternator. So I paid for one to be fitted. Car started ok the next morning. I went on a half hr drive.

Fast forward to Christmas eve....went out to the car..."NOTHING" when I turned the key....well, it tried to "turn over". It had not been used for 26hrs.
I have a friend coming over in a bit to jump start it for me....I will then go for a long drive to give the battery a good charge.

My question is what could be causing it to not start? Damp? (its just stored on the drive) or the battery?
Should I try to cover the car with something to keep it dry/warm?

I am at bit of a newbie when it come to cars....and my Dad is 200 miles away so cannot offer practical help.
I am in a breakdown scheme. But they charge £40 for home call outs, so I am reluctant to call them out to get me started if its just a matter of jump starting the car.


Sorry for going on .

Shipr!!!95

poppasmurf_bewdley

Once you get it started, have someone check the voltage between the two battery terminals. It should be between 14 to 15 volts. If not, it's a charging problem. Do the same without the engine running and make sure you're getting a healthy 12.5 volts. Again, any less and it's the battery.

If it was a cheap battery, they can go at 12 months. Spend a little more more and get a proper brand name - Exide, etc. Get one from a local motor factor, not Halfords, Kwik Fit or elsewhere who will charge 50% more than the motor factor.

SailorSam

Sounds like it could be just a bad connection on the battery, take the leads off and clean them with a bit of sandpaper.
Perhaps the starter motor could be sticking, put it in gear and rock it to ease it.

passatrider

It could be something as simple as an in interior light being left on. Failing that something shorting out and draining the battery. Electrical problems can get quite complicated so best to take it to a specialist.

shiprob195

Thank you both for your swift replies. I will be travelling up to my parents later in the week, so my Dad can test the connections etc.

Parva

It could well be that something is draining the battery over a period of time. The biggest culprit of this that easily goes unnoticed is a light in the boot being left on, took me ages to figure out what was flattening my battery! If you have the tools then the next time you plan on leaving the car stood for a length of time disconnect the earth lead (ensuring that you have the radio security code if required). Reconnect the lead prior to starting it and if it starts fine then you need to look further into what is draining it.

shiprob195

The thing is, the battery has a set of warning "lights".......Its green at the moment. Which makes me thinks the battery is ok.
I have wiped/cleaned the inside of the distributer cap as well.

marlot

Might be a bad earth - possibly from engine to body. Or battery to body. They can get a bit corroded.

silkyuk9

could be starter motor??

Strider590

Short journey's maybe? In the winter you probably need to drive twice as far as in the summer just to replace the charge in the battery....

shiprob195

I know I should use the car for longer journeys. I have a 200 mile trip later on in the week. The problem maybe that I don't use the car often enough (high feul costs and car park charges) so I tend to walk or use the bus.

Might be time for a complete rethink :-)