14 replies to this topic

[Shallybear]

Hi everyone. I could do with some help with a problem I've been having. My car is an 87 city with a 1994 spi engine. The engine still has the ECU and loom etc.
The car has been working fine for 2 years when it was put back on the road. But a couple of days ago when I got home from work I turned the car off and a little while later went to start it up. I heard a click from the starter but then lost all the electrics. All lights, dash lights, four ways etc. It will then stay like this, but if I leave it for a few hours the electrics will come back with a key turn until I try to start it. It then repeats the fault. I'm not great at car electronics but have tried a few thing to no avail.
The voltage at the solenoid is 12.4v(even when I've no lights etc.)
I replaced the solenoid with a known working one which did work to start with, but the next morning had the same problem.
Replaced the starter motor which also worked until a few hours later.
The battery is giving out 12.5v and was charging when it was last running the v meter was at 14v.
I've cleaned the engine and boot earth's.
Checked the voltage at the alternator 12.5v
Cleaned the terminals on the solenoid.
Replaced the starter relay with a couple of spares I have.
All the fuses are fine.
Like I say I'm really not too great with the electrics so if anyone has any advise on what to look at I would be very grateful.

[nicklouse]

battery on the way out. get it drop checked. alternator is also on its way out. but first things first check the engine earth strap.

 

alternator at fast tickover should be 14+V

[cal844]

Post edited.

It looks like the battery is failing. Confirm this first by having the battery tested.

Fit an 063 or 075 size battery, they hardly ever have issues starting standard engines.

Edited by cal844, 17 January 2019 - 10:45 PM.

[Shallybear]

Hiya. Sorry I didn't make it clear, the voltmeter on the dash was at 14v while it was running. I'll grab some jump leads tomorrow and see if it starts. I've given the earth straps a good clean I replaced then 6months ago but cleaned them up yesterday. Strange how it fired up a few times when I replaced the solenoid. IlI' give the earth's another going over tomorrow. Cheers fellas

Edited by Shallybear, 17 January 2019 - 10:48 PM.

[slidehammer]

I does sound like the battery is on the way out and not holding charge. Take it into a motor factors and get them to test it. Cranking over a cold engine does take a considerable current hence the size of the start motor wires.

[gazza82]

12.6v is about the minimum you should expect for a good battery. If the battery has been sitting without use for any length of time, it will fail much quicker.

[Shallybear]

Cheers for the replys. I've got all day tomorrow so will get out to the garage. The battery is a year old and been used everyday but I've had them go sooner before. I will nick the battery out the missus car just to give it a go. I'll update tomorrow if I can find anything. Thanks all

[minifreek1]

Iv just had exactly the same problem with mine (94 SPi) fitted a brand new battery from Halfords (063) and its perfect now :)

 

Also worth mentioning, I also fitted a brand new earth strap in the boot and a new braided earth strap from top of thermostat housing to bulkhead.

 

HTH

Edited by minifreek1, 18 January 2019 - 08:10 PM.

[cal844]

Iv just had exactly the same problem with mine (94 SPi) fitted a brand new battery from Halfords (063) and its perfect now :)

Also worth mentioning, I also fitted a brand new earth strap in the boot and a new braided earth strap from top of thermostat housing to bulkhead.

HTH

My advice from poor past experience is to ask a garage to get a battery sent for you to collect, instead of one from stock(which will have been sitting for a while).

Oh and don't buy batteries from Halfords, they're the cheapest batteries on the market

[minifreek1]

Mine wasn't cheap, took me for £70 cheeky bastards... but I needed 1 and was the only place open...

 

Might be cheaply made, but they are made by Exide...

[gazza82]

carparts4less are good for batteries and delivery

Edited by gazza82, 20 January 2019 - 01:45 PM.

[Twincam]

carparts4less are good for batteries and delivery

Carparts4less is Euro car parts sister company, they sometimes have discount codes on which make things even cheaper (mini oil filters are just over £1 usually on there delivered).

Check the guarantees on any batteries, 3-5 years is common however some used to do lifetime guarantee on batteries!

Edited by Twincam, 20 January 2019 - 02:05 PM.

[Shallybear]

I think I may have found the problem. The negative wire inside the terminal battery end had slipped past the furthest screw holding it in place so had a little free play. Feel a bit silly knowing it was such a simple fix, oh well at least it seems to be sorted. Thanks for all the input it's very much appreciated.

[Shallybear]

Oops double posted

Edited by Shallybear, 20 January 2019 - 04:25 PM.

[Steve220]

Earth point. Mine did this for ages and turned out to be the anchor point in the boot.