Flat battery but theres a constant ticking

Cacki

Hi. Im just back from 5days holiday and car is flat. But there is a ticking sound from the engine. Not clicking but ticking whether the keys are in the ignition or not. Have tried to jump start it but no good so prob need to buy a new battery but worried about this ticking. Dont want to buy new battery if its something else. TIA

marty2be2000

Ticking will be caused by low battery, modern cars have computer systems which are still powered for a period of time after removing the key.

When the battery on my Volvo died, it behaved really oddly with ticking noises, ejecting CDs from the changer and all sorts. Once new battery installed, its been fine ever since.

Mutton_Geoff

Cacki wrote: »

Hi. Im just back from 5days holiday and car is flat. But there is a ticking sound from the engine. Not clicking but ticking whether the keys are in the ignition or not. Have tried to jump start it but no good so prob need to buy a new battery but worried about this ticking. Dont want to buy new battery if its something else. TIA

You should have been able to start the car via jump leads even if your battery was kernacked. Hook the leads up carefully and leave it for 10 mins to allow the donor car to charge your own battery a little before turning the key. This should allow the voltage to rise and fire up the electronics in your car.


I wouldn't rush out and buy a new battery yet. Just follow some reliable instructions like these


https://www.theaa.com/breakdown-cover/advice/using-jump-leads