AU XR6 Series 1 won't start

[CliffM]

Yes I know, another won't start thread, but I've done a comprehensive search of the threads here and can't find what I'm looking for.

My AU refuses to start, it feels like a bad battery, but I recharged it, everything else is working fine, windows go up and down, stereo works fine, etc, but the ign won't turn on, I get a couple of lights that sort of glow, and I can hear the starter clicking when I attempt to start it. It continues to click until I turn everything off again. At the start nothing would work, everything would shut down, the interior light would flash then go off.....


Any suggestions? All fuses seem fine...

[ronwest]

Are the battery connections clean and tight?

Also, can you borrow another battery and see if the same problem persists?

[JC]

If starter clicks but won't crank, then there is an issue with the battery or the starter; given what you've described, I'd say battery. have you got some jumper leads? Will it start if you use them (make sure negative lead goes to good earth, no battery on your car). If it starts with a jump start, then battery is beyond salvation. If it still won't start, then it's could be the starter.

Another thought - If the starter won't turn over at all even with a jump start/boost, then it may be the inhibitor switch on the transmission. I assume you have tried starting in both P and N (assuming it's auto).

If you're in the NRMA/RACV/RACQ (I assume Southport is Qld, but not 100% sure), might be best to get them to come out - they'll tell you pretty quickly what it is, and it costs nothing to find out.

[CliffM]

it's a manual. Does it still have an inhibitor switch? I cleaned the terminals pretty thoroughly, I'll try that again, no I don't have jumper leads but that should be easy enough to sort out and try. Not a member of Motoring org.

[rag top]

Originally Posted by CliffM

it's a manual. Does it still have an inhibitor switch?

Nope.

[CliffM]

When I switch on the ign, before I attempt to start it, there are no dash lights for a while then they slowly come on. Then I can hear a soft clicking, that goes on until I turn it off again.... is there a relay that might have gone south?

[frd906]

are you using the right battery, some cars requires heavy duty batterysto crank them over

[CliffM]

this battery has been in the car since I bought it over two years ago. I still think it's the culprite but my charger says it's fully charged, and has been since last night...

[frd906]

if its been in their for 2 years, could be on its last leg, have you tried a different battery

[whiskers]

take the battery to battery world or someone like that even an auto electrician and ask them to check it, just because it has been ok in the past does not necessarily mean that it is now, battery's can throw the towel in at anytime. they generally last about 2 years or so, any more than that and you are really lucky and seem to have one built on a wednesday lol.

I had one go on me a long time ago when I used to travel between brissy and Sydney and that whilst I was driving it stopped for fuel and whamoo nop power.

cheers
Whiskers

[JC]

Originally Posted by CliffM

this battery has been in the car since I bought it over two years ago. I still think it's the culprite but my charger says it's fully charged, and has been since last night...

Fully charged relates to volts, but it may not be holding any capacity, and CCA (cold cranking capacity) is what is required to start the car.

If it's manual, will it roll start? (Make sure you have another car available to tow you home if it won't)

[GK]

What was the outcome?

Battery, starter, something else?

GK

[CliffM]

I bought a $50 second hand battery from Marshal in Southport, fixed it nicely...