Was messing with carputer when it decided to shut down and won't reboot! I know, try the ignition, won't start, get a horrible clicking noise. I am wondering if the immobiliser has kicked in? Don't believe so, reset alarm, same noise. Hard to describe the noise other than fast, loud clicking, could it be the starter motor?

Typical symtom of a flat battery Martyn. Try charging it up or jump start it. Does your interior light dim when you try to start her up?

 

Steve :)

I have had a flat battery before and this seems different, the touchscreen flickers badly when turning ignition though.

Thinking about it, the clicking is similar to a relay opening and closing.

Yep, sounds like Flat battery. Got a Voltmeter ?

Full 12V across the battery.

even when cranking?

even when cranking?

 

That I don't know but not the same noise as when the battery has been flat before.

Would a diagnostic check show anything and how do I do it?

Cranked the engine, no change in voltage!

check the earth lead going to the bulk head if this has corroded then it would cause this.

 

Does it crank?

do all the lights work ok? (they dont look dim)

Yep, no change in voltage almost certainly indicates poor connection from the battery earth, or maybe the battery positive.

Should be nearer 13.2V accross a fully charged battery!

The earth lead looks fine, turn the ignition and it makes that awful noise. However when I turned the headlights on the touchscreen shut down?

Stoopid question but where is the starter motor? The service diagram is useless...

Stoopid question but where is the starter motor? The service diagram is useless...

 

 

It's underneath the car. :eek:

 

Have you actually tried a jump start??? If not, give it a go............

What the hell, try jump starting her and she starts, WTF was that all about? Still can not explain the clicking noise though, most unusual. Oh well, plus point is no garage bills, this time anyway!

What the hell, try jump starting her and she starts, WTF was that all about? Still can not explain the clicking noise though, most unusual. Oh well, plus point is no garage bills, this time anyway!

 

Would still suspect the battery - had a similar problem myself once. Voltage Ok but no current capacity. Replaced the battery and all was OK.

Relatively new battery though, I will keep an eye on it.

battery can have 12v across and still be duff, its about load and cranking amps.

rather than jump start swap a battery over and try again.

sounds like you have a dodgy cell in the battery, starter clicking is a common sign as there is usually enough power to work the relay but not enough to turn over the engine, if its not a sealed battery try taking the caps off get someone to turn the engine if a cell bubbles up usually means the battery is fooked, also if you take the caps off and the electrolite in a cell is grey usually means the battery is on the road out.

 

oh and if you are going to check the battery with the caps off DONT SMOKE

 

Ive seen three guys getting covered in acid after batteries blew up in there faces when checking them or working near them

put ur meter in serial see if theres any current drain bud

put ur meter in serial see if theres any current drain bud

 

yes but when you do this DO NOT try and start the car or draw more current than the meter can cope, or it WILL either melt the meter or blow the fuse in the meter