1St Problem - Gulp....!

[Trav5149]

Well, polished & valeted the old girl up, came to turn her over & nothing, just the click of the starter motor. 1st thoughts that it was the Battery, but I've had no signs of it going over the past few days. Left it & hour and turned her over again, and a cough & splutter, she started going.

Next day, started her up in the morning, cough & splutter & started again, so just thought it might need a good run. This morning, started her up & nothing, just the click of the motor again. Managed to get it going by jump leads & took her to kwik fit for a new Battery, on the way there, every time we came to standing traffic the car stalled. Got it in to kwik fit for a Battery test - NOTHING WRONG!!!! - The Battery is in good conditon & is charging fine, Its made me out to be a liar!

I then thought right, I'll still take the Missus out shopping etc & for the rest of the day & if it goes, we'll call the RAC.......... the car has not stalled, has started 1st time everytime -

I'm just stuck for an answer to this problem, I know don't mend until broken, but I'm going to the airport next week & I don't want it to let me down that day.........

Any ideas anybody? - are there any sensors of any sort that I should be looking at, although why would the Battery go flat?

Thanks in anticipation Me & Lexus.

[ROYT]

Start by checking all Battery connections and earths. [or grounds if you prefer]

[steve2006]

As Roy says above, the starter motor clicking is a common problem and can be the starter motor itself and starts off intermittently like the problem you have but there is normally no cough and splutter when it does spin up.

[Scribe]

Doesn't sound like the starter motor failing. When mine started to go, I got either the clicking or the engine fired up without spluttering, and when it was running it never misfired or cut out. And if the starter's had it, jump leads wouldn't help you get started. Good luck with it anyway - let us know what the problem is/was.

[ColinBarber]

sounds like a bad electrical connection, probably earth straps but worth checking the connections to the starter motor as well (although poor connections here wouldn't cause the stalling)

[Trav5149]

Hi All,

An update, I'm touching wood here, but at the moment, I haven't had any trouble since, the Battery seems ok, it starts as soon as so I'm stumped.

I have checked the earth and all seems to be secure, so I think i'm just going to wait & see if it happens again & get it in to an car electrical specialist.

If I find out the cause, I will post the cure.......

Thanks again for the replies.

[Trav5149]

Well spoke too soon, it happened again,so i spent a good 3 weeks, checking earths etc to see where the fault would lie. In the end I give up & thought, I'll get the Battery tested again. Took it to Halfords this time, the bloke in there was very helpful, tested the Battery & said it was the Battery that was buggered. So bought a new Battery & fitted & so far no probs whatsoever..........Thanks for all the help & advice again.

[black400]

Those pesky batts

[Bluesman]

Well spoke too soon, it happened again,so i spent a good 3 weeks, checking earths etc to see where the fault would lie. In the end I give up & thought, I'll get the battery tested again. Took it to Halfords this time, the bloke in there was very helpful, tested the battery & said it was the battery that was buggered. So bought a new battery & fitted & so far no probs whatsoever..........Thanks for all the help & advice again.

How much did you pay at Halfords?

Mike

[Trav5149]

Mike, Battery cost £103 for a maintenence free, calicum cell with a 4 year guarantee, probably could have got it cheaper on internet etc, but needed it urgently.

[Malc]

If your car is a Mk3 then you would have bought the Battery significantly cheaper from Lexus !

Malc