Battery fine - car won't start

littlerock

I have a Skoda Fabia automatic, petrol engine, about 8 years old, low mileage, regularly serviced, nice little runner. Only downside is a tendency for it to get a lot of condensation inside the windows, after a severe frost followed by a sudden thaw.

Used it to visit relatives this Christmas just gone (about 120 miles away) and did some driving while there, so it has a decent work out. Been to the supermarket a couple times since getting back and slightly further afield to visit my sister. Started first time every time, even over Christmas in Sussex when it was left overnight in exposed local park and there were severe frosts.

At home it is parked outside and we live in outer London, not the outer Hebrides. This morning I got in it at around 07.00am after a severe overnight frost, turned on the engine, it came on, turned the ignition, it spluttered a few times and then refused to start. It was not "coughing" as in a dead battery and indeed lights dashboard etc all work fine and the engine start fine, it just will not ignite.

I had to leave it and go by train but I got back a short while ago and the temperature is now well above freezing. Same thing, engine turns on, but will not turn over.

Suggestions before I call out the breakdown service?

BeenThroughItAll

I bet it's the battery, regardless of what you think.

robotrobo

littlerock wrote: »

I have a Skoda Fabia automatic, petrol engine, about 8 years old, low mileage, regularly serviced, nice little runner. Only downside is a tendency for it to get a lot of condensation inside the windows, after a severe frost followed by a sudden thaw.

Used it to visit relatives this Christmas just gone (about 120 miles away) and did some driving while there, so it has a decent work out. Been to the supermarket a couple times since getting back and slightly further afield to visit my sister. Started first time every time, even over Christmas in Sussex when it was left overnight in exposed local park and there were severe frosts.

At home it is parked outside and we live in outer London, not the outer Hebrides. This morning I got in it at around 07.00am after a severe overnight frost, turned on the engine, it came on, turned the ignition, it spluttered a few times and then refused to start. It was not "coughing" as in a dead battery and indeed lights dashboard etc all work fine and the engine start fine, it just will not ignite.

I had to leave it and go by train but I got back a short while ago and the temperature is now well above freezing. Same thing, engine turns on, but will not turn over.

Suggestions before I call out the breakdown service?

how old is the battrey?.
buy yourself a battrey starter pack or get a jump start .

[Deleted User]

Plug leads maybe.

EssexExile

I'm confused, first you say "it starts fine but will not ignite" then you say it "will not turn over". If it's not turning over it's probably the battery, if it is turning over it's not the battery, I can't tell what it is from here though.

littlerock

Battery is about two years old. What happens is I turn on ignition, all the dash board lights come on as usual, then when I turn it again to start the engine and it begins to start, then at last minute, it does not "catch". With a flat battery previously, I have turned on engine, then turned key again to fire up engine and it just coughs and wheezes and then clicks. This is different, . this sounds as though it is on the point of starting, then doesn't and it does this every time.

[Deleted User]

littlerock wrote: »

Battery is about two years old. What happens is I turn on ignition, all the dash board lights come on as usual, then when I turn it again to start the engine and it begins to start, then at last minute, it does not "catch". With a flat battery previously, I have turned on engine, then turned key again to fire up engine and it just coughs and wheezes and then clicks. This is different, . this sounds as though it is on the point of starting, then doesn't and it does this every time.

I'm still going with damp HT leads.

ratrace

could be

bad battery
bad coils or coil
weak starter motor
blown fuse etc...

scotsbob

May we assume the fuel gauge doesn't show empty?

littlerock

yes I did double check. plenty of petrol. ...😉

reddwarf2002

Try turning the key to ignition position 1 (or is it 2 - where the dash lights come on?) but don't start the engine. Leave it for 10 or 15 seconds and turn the key to off position again. It should prime the fuel pump. Do this 3 or 4 times and then try to start the car. It may start...

Something else that has crossed my mind; has the car been parked on an incline?