Car won't start - ideas/suggestions?

thejinkazama

Hello,

Our car (2016 Ford Fiesta) is making this sound when we attempt to start it today. All was fine yesterday. My initial thought is the battery but the lights are working ok.

https://streamable.com/r8rnsf

If there isn't an easy fix, who would you recommend we call? We don't have breakdown insurance.

Thanks

Barkin

thejinkazama said:

who would you recommend we call? 

A mate with some jump leads? 

tacpot12

Sounds like the starter motor or starter motor relay. A mobile mechanic or mobile auto electrician should be able to diagnose the problem. If it’s is a manual car, you may be able to ‘bump’ start it. See here for instructions if you aren’t sure what this involves: https://joinrooster.co.uk/how-to-bump-start-a-car/

If you can get it started, you can drive it to a garage for the fault to be investigated. 

northwalesd

My car (Hyundai) did exactly the same earlier this year. Quickly solved with a new battery. Mine was still on original from being new in 2013.

Baldytyke88

The AA - Our instant breakdown cover is for non-AA members, and means you’ll get emergency Roadside Assistance from an AA patrol. Just call us on 03330 046 046 for help.

400ixl

Sounds like the battery cold crank amperage is not sufficient to turn the starter motor. Often a cold snap drains enough of the battery to affect the CCA but not the general side, so lights still work, but not enough to start it.

Charging the battery can get it going again, then get the battery drop tested at a local quick fit type place. Could be just one of those things and a good charge means it doesn't happen again for years, or it could do the same on the next cold snap. So worth getting it checked and replaced if the cells are on their way out and not holding the charge.

If the battery is not the issue, the solenoid on the battery would be the next culprit. The solenoid is what throws the starter ring gear onto the fly wheel which then turns the engine over. If it sticks then that won't happen. a temporary fix there can be to give the solenoid casing a tap with a hammer to free it up. Again it can be a fix which lasts months / years if it works, but could fail again the next day. Changing the starter motor is the long term fix if it is the fault.

MikeJXE

Solenoid poor connection

Clean the contacts 

Arunmor

I would jump start it first warm it up and then take it from there, try restarting.  If that works see what it does tomorrow morning and in the meantime formulate a plan such as detailed above.

Goudy

Modern cars don't slowly whir whir whir on the starter motor when the battery is low like they used to years ago.

If there's not enough power (amps) in the battery they just won't engage the starter solenoid, so all you get is a clicking of relays.

As for the lights working, yes even with a low battery they probably will.
Lights on a car will draw little power, head and taillights will draw something like 9 or 10 amps, even less if they are LEDs.

The power needed to turn a starter motor is very high.
The starter motor draws lots of instant amps to get it to work, anywhere between 150 and 400 amps depending on engine. If the battery can't produce them, well you get the clicking of relays.

When the battery is on it's way out but still has just enough amps to activate the starter solenoid, you sometimes get a start but it's not a clean start.
It might labour on the starter just a little and the engine stumble when it starts up.

You might even start seeing warning lights on the dash for this, that and everything as the start has wiped out what was left in the battery and the ECU is detecting a low power issue.

Modern cars are pretty power hungry these days, what with the likes of electric power steering so just that slight tip over the edge with an older battery can cause all sort of electric maladies.
I got some myself early this morning!

fatbelly

I'd be trying

Jump start
Bump start
Stick a charger on it overnight

Grey_Critic

I had a hospital appointment yesterday and my son took. When I came out the car would not start - everything worked except it would not turn over. RAC came out and jump started. Battery tested and yes it was duff. Offer of a new battery £173 - we declined and drove home. Picked up a new Exide battery this morning and fitted it - Cost me £61.65 - car is on a 13 plate and it is the original battery

The cold snap has worked its magic. My mate told me he had 3 yesterdaey