Some ideas about car not starting please

twopenny

So nice guy from the garage investigated and fixed by midday despite being busy.

Seems it was the fuse dealing with the fuel pump that needed replacing.

All good hopefully but I will be asking him why the fuse would suddenly give up the ghost.

I will phone the AA to see if that would be an option but they would take it to their nearest approved garage and this one is 5mins from house - though experience says that the same problem just doesn't occour. Life gives you new ones to keep you on your toes

TadleyBaggie

It might indicate the fuel pump is on the way out. It likely tried to draw more current than than normal, perhaps too much turning resistance. 

Flight3287462

Find out which fuse it is and keep a spare handy, just in case.

twopenny

YesTB. I've had a look at the second hand cars here and nothing under £5,000 and higher milage so I'll keep my eye open but if necessary bite the bullet and have the repair.

Flight, yes indeed. I thought it might be an idea to keep a set of fuses being it's an old car. Then if I do have to call someone like AA when I'm in the wilds I can be sure of having the part.

Guaranteed way to find they won't be used

Grumpy_chap

twopenny said:

So nice guy from the garage investigated and fixed by midday despite being busy.

Seems it was the fuse dealing with the fuel pump that needed replacing.

All good hopefully but I will be asking him why the fuse would suddenly give up the ghost.

I am glad you got this sorted and it was a cheap fix.

The fuse could be an indicator of something more but could very well be simply that the fuse "blew".  They are rather like filament bulbs, always heat up while there is current flowing and on an old car you will sometimes just get one fail.  

The replacement fuses are a few pence in motor accessory stores.  Can you look up how to access the fusebox and swap the fuse?  This could be an easy task that you might be able to do yourself in the future to save time and money.

You are fortunate to have a good, trustworthy local mechanic that did the simple job rather than trying to say the whole new fuel pump required...

twopenny

When I was much younger I knew where the fuses were and a lot more. Used to service it myself etc.

Even this car (I'll check the book) I'm not sure what things are. But I have another friend who runs a garage and if I can catch him in a quiet time I will ask.

Yes, fortunate that I have 2! But they won't work for the AA because of the long delay and hassle with these companies so it's the wait for good cheerful service.

Even the traffic warden wished me good luck even though I'll still have to be careful where I park once I'm going. I don't think he's that generous :-)

A small but beautiful area has some great trades still hanging around. You just have to learn to be patient.