Battery fine - car won't start

facade

If it still hasn't started, have a look in the handbook for "Flooded engine"

If you don't have one, try starting it with the accelerator fully down a few times, then try again with it half down, then try again with it released.

There is usually a position that instructs the ecu not to bother injecting any more fuel, to give it a chance to get the excess out (and into the catalyst where apparently, it will damage it)

Norman_Castle

littlerock wrote: »

Suggestions before I call out the breakdown service?

Do you pay annually for a breakdown service? If so, call them.

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.

Odd terminology. I'm reading this as the engine turns over but will not fire or run.

Could be a cold start system fault. Modern version of the choke not being on.

mrmot

Engine coolant temperature sensor, I've seen it numerous times on the 1.4 16V petrol engine. You get the wrong amount of fuel in and it floods. Logging coolant temperature values from start to fully warmed up will confirm it, one reading will for example be 30 deg C and the next will show a highly improbable -40 deg C.

DUTR

reddwarf2002 wrote: »

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?

The fuel system is usually primed when the driver's door is opened.

Robisere

Leave it in 2nd gear, handbrake off. Get a friend/family member to help. Sit in it, get the friend to 'rock' the car backwards and forwards a few times, until it moves a little either way. Stop them after a few times, brake on, try to start it. If it starts, it may be the starter motor. If it doesn't help, then you need some roadside assistance. Either phone a local garage or phone RAC/AA/Green Flag, explain the situation and join for a call out.

littlerock

Thanks for all the suggestions. No it is not parked on an incline. I have tried various techniques to start it and it tries to start but just fails to fire up. I think i have to call the breakdown service but I decided not to call them out today (sunday) as if it needs towing to my garage, they only have limited forecourt parking and it needs to be booked in in advance.

I will wait till tomorrow morning and then call out breakdown service. Depending on whether they get it working, I will get it towed into the garage, or drive it in myself and ask them to check it over.

sparkychris

littlerock wrote: »

Thanks for all the suggestions. No it is not parked on an incline. I have tried various techniques to start it and it tries to start but just fails to fire up. I think i have to call the breakdown service but I decided not to call them out today (sunday) as if it needs towing to my garage, they only have limited forecourt parking and it needs to be booked in in advance.

I will wait till tomorrow morning and then call out breakdown service. Depending on whether they get it working, I will get it towed into the garage, or drive it in myself and ask them to check it over.

Just be aware that if you do this, the breakdown man may try and sell you a new battery.

When I left my interior light on all weekend last year, I flattened my battery enough that my car wouldn't start. AA man turned up, did a series of tests, informed me that me battery was toast and he could fit a new one for £lots.

I declined, he jumped me and am still running the same battery.

Swine.

Ebe_Scrooge

Colin_Maybe wrote: »

I'm still going with damp HT leads.

This was a common problem in the olden days ( I remember them fondly ! ), perhaps less so these days what with coil packs etc. But I do agree agree with you - OP, give everything ( particularly anything electrical ) a thorough drenching with WD40. It will cost you pennies to do, and there's no harm in trying.

But I also agree with all the other advice posted previously - there's any number of reasons an engine will not fire, a less-than-ideal battery being amongst the top culprits. But try the simple fixes first.

reddwarf2002

Engine coolant temperature fault usually logs a fault in the ECU and sometimes activates the cooling fan too. I'm not sure whether OP has scanned for fault codes, perhaps that's worth doing if there is a scanner handy?

reddwarf2002

DUTR wrote: »

The fuel system is usually primed when the driver's door is opened.

Yes, and I believe it is also primed when the key is turned to accessory position. If the fuel pump is weak or there is a blockage/air in the system them priming it can help.