car wont start

[dan1]

havent drove the car for a few weeks! today i fitted an amp and sub wich all wrks as it should, but on going to start the car it would not start, and when you try to start it the alarm goes off. i have checked the wires to the audio equipment but cant find any faults??

[Ed]

Does the starter motor try to turn over at all. Is the battery fully charged. Have you checked all fuses to make sure you haven't blown a fuse whilst fitting the audio.

Ed

[dan1]

i have checked all fuses and they are ok. it does not turn over at all when you turn the key it kind of goes make a quick ch noise and the alarm goes off?? the only thing i think could of caused a problem was i did catch a wrench whilst unoing the battery terminal which sparked but as i say all fuses are ok?

[dan1]

cant understand why the alarm is going of when i try and star the car

[Ed]

Because you arced the battery by knocking the spanner against the other battery post whilst undoing the other, my first suggestion would be to check all of the main relays to do with the ignition system.

<A href="http://johnwoo.xs4all.nl/~paul/bgb/elec ... ations.htm" target=_blank>Relay Locations</A>

You want to check the

Main Power relay
Starter Relay
Ignition Main Relay
EFI Main Relay

Do you get a clicking noise when trying to start the car and does it come from the passenger side of the engine compartment. If so then it would be worth checking the starter motor, check it is getting power to it.

Is the alarm correctly disarming when you turn it off. I wonder if the immobiliser isn't kicking in as well.

[dan1]

ok, the starter relay klicks when you turn the ignition. the alarm has now stopped going off when the ignition is turned why i dont know. also now when i hold the ignition i can hear what sounds like the starter motor (a loud clicking noise) but it is not turning over at all. the battery is reading 11.75 volts. is there any way to check a relay is functioning other than listning to it?

[ANDY FINDLAY]

i had the same prob tonight car would not start for a least 15 mins then started all lumpy now fine could be moisture in the disributor or plugs thats what i checked then the car started but i am no grease monkey

[Ed]

ok, the starter relay klicks when you turn the ignition. the alarm has now stopped going off when the ignition is turned why i dont know. also now when i hold the ignition i can hear what sounds like the starter motor (a loud clicking noise) but it is not turning over at all. the battery is reading 11.75 volts. is there any way to check a relay is functioning other than listning to it?

Well if you are getting a clicking noise on the passenger side of the engine then I would say that your relays are fine and that you haven't fried any of them. The clicking noise should be the Starter motor trying to turn. In all of this cold weather it is possible that moisture has caused it to freeze and stick. Is the car garaged at night or left outside.

If it is the starter motor then I would suggest putting a heater under it to warm it up, you can also try smacking it with a wooden mallet (note I said wooden mallet, dont try using a hammer) This might free it enough to turn over.

Other than this I would check for a spark at the spark plugs. Remove each spark plug one at a time and reconnect to the HT Lead. Have someone turn the car over while holding the spark plug against the Valve cover and check for spark. Put spark plug back in engine and repeat for rest of spark plugs.

If all spark plugs are producing a spark then your ignition system is working correctly.

If not <A href="http://johnwoo.xs4all.nl/~paul/bgb/mech ... system.htm" target=_blank>Ignition Diagnosis</A>

The only other thing to then check is that fuel is being delivered.

<A href="http://johnwoo.xs4all.nl/~paul/bgb/mech ... system.htm" target=_blank>Fuel check</A>

Scroll to the second page FI-87 and follow the instructions there.

It would also be worthwhile checking for error codes.

<A href="http://johnwoo.xs4all.nl/~paul/bgb/mech ... system.htm" target=_blank>Error Codes</A>

If none of these things get it started then I would call out the RAC/AA or get a mobile mechanic to come and look at it.

HTH Ed

[gmtc]

You could try putting the car in gear and then rocking car a bit (difficult). Might loosen up the starter motor by moving the wheels/flywheel.

Also, have you checked all of your earths are still connected?

[dan1]

after putting the battery on charge overnight started first turn of the key thanks for your help much appreciated =D>

[Ed]

Good news. Might be worth taking the car along to somewhere like Halfords and getting a free battery check, just to make sure that you haven't damaged the internal plates of the battery by bridging the contacts.

Ed