Dead Battery?

[JPWilson]

So I go to start the car today and I just get a rapid clicking noise...

If I just turn ignition on, the dash comes on and the Battery metre reads as normal but as soon as I attempt to start the engine it just gives me a rapid clicking noise.

Is the Battery dead... I haven't got jump leads so I'll have to wait for someone to give that a go later.

[lexus loon]

Try the old trick of giving the starter motor a hit with a hammer,it worked for me once.

[JPWilson]

Been jumped now and took her for a spin, seems to be starting ok...

Just out of curiosity, yesterday morning I sat in the car with everything on because it was frozen over, then drove home which is literally round the corner, then the car sat all day and night, could that have drained it and caused it not to start today?

[KDS]

The motor relies on the solenoid to throw the starter drive into the engine. If the solenoid is stuck the previous poster's suggestion of a hammer helps. If the Battery is not fully charged then there isnt enough power for the solenoid to throw. The fact you were jumped and it now restarts suggests the combination of jump and subsequent drive has put some power into the Battery - for now. The risk is the Battery might not be securely holding a charge. Have someone check the Battery condition. If they report good then you just need a decent run to recharge it. If they report poor cells it's going to need a new Battery.

[petayV8]

My Battery died randomly too no signs of a tired Battery

[JPWilson]

Cheers people... I'll leave it from now and overnight and test it in the morning.

If it won't start then I'll get a new Battery..

Any recommendations on batteries or are they all much of a muchness?

[The Transporter]

Give the Battery a good charge with a trickle charger....Sounds like you ran it flat defrosting the car.

[PEPE]

Give the battery a good charge with a trickle charger....Sounds like you ran it flat defrosting the car.

I agree.

[matt-c]

Mine recently did this - hadn't used it in a week or so, came out to start and nothing but a few clicks. Jumped it, used it, then when I got home I whipped the Battery out and charged it overnight. Been fine since, although I notice when I don't use it for a while it can turn over slower than normal. Remember, that in low temps, even a fully charged Battery is operating at around 50% of it's capacity, so lots of short journeys takes it's toll; if the Battery is only 50% charged from use, then at low temps it's half that again. It takes a full 20 mins or so of running to replace what you take out of it just starting it up, so it can deplete the charge quite quickly.

[petayV8]

I recommend Numax batteries. make sure the terminals are at the back! some numpty put the wrong Battery in my car and has dented the bonnet

[Bob King]

Bosch 3 or 4 year warranty only way to go.