Hi all, need some advice.

 

Went to start the card this morning, dash lit up but made clicking noise rather than turning over. Had a look under bonnet, made sure battery connected and tried again, same thing. So decided to try and jump start it.

 

As I went to put the second lead on the Z, there was a flash of sparks and the headlights came on, alarm went off etc. Took all the leads off, and when I tried to start no lights on dash, nothing.

 

Had a fiddle with the fuse box(s), and when I looked at the small one on the driver's side I moved the one closest to the wing (which has a large loop of wire on it). This got the car live again, but still no starting.

 

Car has now gone back to being dead again, but I've noticed if I move this same fuse I get a clicking in one of the relays in the big fuse box?!?!

 

Does anyone have any idea what the problem might be or how to fix?

try a new battery mate, possible its cooked and wont hold the amps to crank her maybe a alternator fault but you can only really check the alt output when running

HTH

There is something draining the battery which is why is sparked when you went to connect the jumper leads. The headlamps flashing sounds as though it is part of your alarm setup. Recharge the battery and before reconnecting, make sure that everything in the car is switched off. Connect the earth lead loosely (on the terminal but not tightened up) and then touch the positive terminal on the battery with the positive lead. If it sparks, you still have something on and taking power which needs to be disconnected. Take the lid off the relay box positioned on the passenger wing, and when touching the lead on the terminal, feel each of the relays to see if one or more is being activated, they click and vibrate a little. If one is then look to see what function is carries out and if necessary remove it temporarily. If this stops your sparking, you found the cuplrit. If no joy here, then its down to the fuse box in the drivers footwell, and after annotation, take all the fuses out.Touch the lead to the battery again, if no sparks, replace fuses one at a time until you find the fuse that is causing the sparking. This is the item that is drainijng your battery. It could then be down to a failed relay in the 'activate' position. have you fitted anything electrical lately, i.e a turbo timer, or something else that involes perhaps taking the centre part of the dash out around the radio installation.Good luck.

Edited March 3, 201015 yr by Old Zed

Thanks for the help, not fitted anything recently cars just been sat for a week. Me thinks with all this shit rain and not moving the car some water may have crept in and shorted something, thus draining the battery.

 

I'll keep looking and update later.

 

Cheers.

are you sure he cold weather has not just killed your battery

are you sure he cold weather has not just killed your battery

 

batteries can just go practically overnight, especially if they are 6,7 8 year old. :tt2:

sounds like a dead battery & the flash was the pull of current from the alarm as u connected the leads!

Right, battery is dead, but that's because the alternator is also dead. So I need a new alternator.

 

Does any one know of a good garage near Sout East London to use? Seems like my usual one may not be there any more :-(

its a standard job (under 1hr) no special knowledge required most local garages will fit one for you if you supply the part etc. plenty of people breaking zeds on here 2nd hand alt's or you can try a re-wound one from a alternator repairer usually on an exchange basis / give core credit

Edited March 5, 201015 yr by Uno

have you tried starting it and testing the charging volts turn every thing on when running should still be charging over 12.5v with all on if it is alt is good

Cheers for the replies, have the car booked in with d2 now so will wait and see what the diagnosis is!

Just to update, got the car down to D2 for Darren to have a look. Alternator was fine. Just shows you the benefits of a decent mechanic!

 

Was just the main fuse in the ignition circuit (big bit of wire) that needed replacing, as well as some burnt out wiring. Job done!