SOS... my car won't start!!

the_devil_made_me_do_it

I have a 1999 Ford Puma and unfortunatly it won't start. Has been working ok, no signs of trouble so can't really understand it.

I tried to turn it over this morning and it just made a clicking noise. I tired again.. same noise.

The lights are working and the cd player is working, but could it still be the battery??

My partner and I are basically clueless about cars and we totally reply on this car to get us about.

Please help

darich

so the car doesn't turn over, it just makes a clicking sound when you try to start it?
If so then it sounds like the starter motor has jammed.
2 things to try - if you can get the car moving, even slowly, get someone inside as if they're going to jump start it but you only need the car moving enough to turn the engine a fraction - it can free up the starter motor if the engine has been turned a bit.
Alternatively, and slightly more crude, with someone trying to start the car inside using the key, get someone to tap the starter motor with a hammer (or tap a screwdriver onto the starter) - that vibration may also be enough to free it.
i realise you say you are clueless so may not be able to identify the starter - it'll probably be attached to the gearbox and will be cylindrical in shape. Hopefully someone can point you towards the starter.

EDIT: if you're trying to move the car and start it by rolling then you don't actually need a second person - if you can get the car rocking back and forth while in gear then once the engine is turned a little by that rocking motion it may start.

good luck.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

The car is on my driveway at the moment and it's a relatively tight fit, so would defo need a second person when it comes to trying to move it.

If I get it started, would I need to sort out a new starter motor anyway, or could it just be jammed and be ok once it's been freed?

Many thanks on your reply

knowledgeman

It could just be the battery

Mines did that a few times clicking noise and the lights and cd player still worked for a short time

Get a jump start and see how it goes

vikingaero

More likely to be the battery than the starter motor. There's probably sufficient charge to operate the lights and radio but insufficient charge to turn the starter motor over - leading to the clicking sound. If it's the original battery then buy a new one as 8 years isn't bad going for a battery.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

vikingaero wrote: »

More likely to be the battery than the starter motor. There's probably sufficient charge to operate the lights and radio but insufficient charge to turn the starter motor over - leading to the clicking sound. If it's the original battery then buy a new one as 8 years isn't bad going for a battery.

Not sure whether it is the original battery, I haven't owned the car from new. It's been a good car tho', apparently the exhaust system has never been changed which is amazing

I will probs get a new battery regardless. They ain't too expensive.

darich

vikingaero wrote: »

More likely to be the battery than the starter motor. There's probably sufficient charge to operate the lights and radio but insufficient charge to turn the starter motor over - leading to the clicking sound. If it's the original battery then buy a new one as 8 years isn't bad going for a battery.

Possibly but if it was the battery there would have been warning signs like the car turning over more slowly or taking more than one attempt to start it.

Not impossible but unlikely for the battery to suddenly be dead one day. if it is, then there are other problems beside the battery that would need looked at.

knowledgeman

darich wrote: »

Possibly but if it was the battery there would have been warning signs like the car turning over more slowly or taking more than one attempt to start it.

Not impossible but unlikely for the battery to suddenly be dead one day. if it is, then there are other problems beside the battery that would need looked at.

are you a mechanic per chance?

My battery did just that one day, I went to the garage and asked them to check the charge

They told me it was dead and it needed a new one and tried to sell me on for 45 quid

I said Id come back in a few days when had cash

2 years later it was going fine, and that was a 9 yr old battery running a car with a lot of features

Funnily enough they were saying similar to you before even getting a look at it

robnye

could be the alternator not charging up the battery during driving, had this end of last year in my old car, yet the battery was less than 3 years old

the_devil_made_me_do_it

robnye wrote: »

could be the alternator not charging up the battery during driving, had this end of last year in my old car, yet the battery was less than 3 years old

Was it an expensive garage job?

Wig

Try a jump lead connected to another car (with engine running). If it works it was the battery.

After that get a free battery check (even if you fit a new battery) from somewhere advertising it - could be your alternator has gone.