Help! Car won't start

[dan_a 1]

Hi all,

Bit of a panick on here.

Was out in my car last night for a work meal. I was rather early turning up so was sat in my car for a good 30-40 mins listening to the radio and with interior light on (engine not running). Went to start it the usual way i.e. deactivating the Laserline immobiliser and turning the key but the alarm just goes off!? I do hear the starter 'click' before the alarm sounds but engine doesn't start?

Sense tells me my battery must be too flat to start the engine but the alarm sounds of fine and nothing on the warning lights indicates a flat battery?

Any ideas anyone? Thanks

[vr6_super 0]

I dont think its not unknown for the battery to have enough power to power the alarm and lights but not enough to turn the engine over.

Just get a volt meter thing and test the battery, failing that just get some jumpers and try jump starting it and see what happens after you leave it running for a while.

If its working fine one minute and then not the next after you sit and use power with no battery charging going on, the only answer I can come up with is a dead battery, or maybe the starter motor has packed in?

When you have been starting it recently has it been turning over for a while before kicking in?

[dan_a 1]

I dont think its not unknown for the battery to have enough power to power the alarm and lights but not enough to turn the engine over.

Just get a volt meter thing and test the battery' date=' failing that just get some jumpers and try jump starting it and see what happens after you leave it running for a while.

If its working fine one minute and then not the next after you sit and use power with no battery charging going on, the only answer I can come up with is a dead battery, or maybe the starter motor has packed in?

When you have been starting it recently has it been turning over for a while before kicking in?

[/quote']

Thanks for your reply! That makes sense so will try that. It's just a pain it's stranded 15 miles from home!

It's been starting fine although when turning the lights on when idling the engine revs pick up a little as if the battery is slightly flat?!

[vr6_super 0]

I thought it would have been the other way when the lights come on the revs would drop as that happens to me when the radiator kicks in, havent noticed any change in the revs with the lights.

[kentyboy 0]

if the battery is flat you usually get a succession of clicks on the statrer motor when you turn the key,or nothing.if the starter is u.s you either get a click and the lights dim in the dash or again nothing at all,have you tried bump starting the car,that will eliminate the starter problem...or try giving the starter a slight tap with a hammer as the solenoid may be playing up...

[dan_a 1]

I thought it would have been the other way when the lights come on the revs would drop as that happens to me when the radiator kicks in' date=' havent noticed any change in the revs with the lights.

[/quote']

You're right the revs do drop then return to idle when I turn lights on - sorry got that wrong!

Oh and the car is fine, it was just the battery. My mechanic mate came out with me to 'rescue' the car with a battery and jump leads and the car started straight away! Thankfully no electric problems or alarm troubles! :-) It just seemed weird that the alarm would just sound and the engine not cranking at all with just a slightly flat battery.