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MG MGF Technical - Please help an MGFer
| really need an answer tonight to go to the garage with tomorrow... thanks for your time........ The story so far... 9months ago Mr car wouldnt start got it fixed was supposidly the battery... 7months ago My car didnt start again battery again - replaced it... 4months ago My car failed to start again they changed the starting motor.. 2months ago My clutch went... fixed a valve 1month ago Clutch went again... replaced the clutch... TODAY.... My car wont start again... just clicking over... seems there is loads of juice there.... starting motor again? Questions ========= What do you think the problem is? The starting motor AGAIN? My car warranty period expired 8days ago... will i be able to get it fixed for free as it seems to be the same problem they have not fixed above... Yours really peed off Wayne MGF owner |
| Wayne |
| Hi Wayne - your problem sounds as though your battery has once again been discharged. It's flat. :o( The tell-tail sign is the clicking on turning the ignition. Because of the huge current draw from the starter motor, and the need to power all the other electronics on the engine, you don't need the battery to be all that flat before the engine fails to turn over - as you describe. I'd be suspicious that you have a current drain when the ignition is switched off. You can usually look for these by putting a volt meter or ammeter either in parallel or series with the battery with the ignition off... and wait for at least 15 minutes to allow the ECU to power down. Common culprits are shorts in the boot lid wiring (loom vulnerable to cracking near the hinge) and a problem with the MEMS power down circuit. I suspect that your garage has done you a disservice by simply replacing the battery every time it goes flat without investigating WHY it went flat in the first place... >:o( |
| Rob Bell |
| i dont think its clicking if i remember just does nothing the lights come on... |
| Wayne |
| Sorry, too tired to give a full answer but.... DANGER >can usually look for these by putting a volt meter or >ammeter either in parallel or series with the battery >with the ignition off... This is so important that it needs clarifing! Ammeter in SERIES - use ammeter to bridge connections, then break connection, levaing ammeter making the bridge, do not break connection and then apply ammeter, the car ECU's waking up will pop the ammeter fuse (if you're lucky, much worse if you're not!). NEVER CONNECT AN AMMETER ACROSS A BATTERY OR BULB, IT WILL DIE IN VERY SHORT ORDER voltmeter in PARALLEL - usually between the connection you beleive to be live and the ground (chassis of the car) a general rule is that Voltmeters are very safe, but they will tell you little when connected just across the battery (except the battery is flat - less than 12V and it's flat, should be 14-15V when the engine is running) |
| Will Munns |
| The Battery will discharge in about 2 weeks from full if the car is not used, My car does this in the garage regularly despite there being a recent and good battery fitted. The clutch? sounds like a nightmare dont let them charge you for replacing stuff less than a year old all work should be guaranteed for a year at least |
| Neil |
| >> DANGER >can usually look for these by putting a volt meter or >ammeter either in parallel or series with the battery >with the ignition off... This is so important that it needs clarifing! << You're quite right to emphasise and clarify that Will :o) I also agree that the volt meter is less useful than the ammeter - it's more an indicator of the battery's health - although if there is a discharge when switched off, the potential difference across the battery terminals will likely be less than 11V. |
| Rob Bell |
| >The Battery will discharge in about 2 weeks from full if the car is not used,< I have to say, mine sat outside from beginning of Jan to 7th Feb (4.5 weeks) and started first time :) |
| Richard P |
| I agree with you Richard - I can leave the car for up to 2 months, and it will still start up without fail... Still got your original battery in the car Neil? |
| Rob Bell |
| Have to agree that battery should last more than 2 weeks without use. Left one of our Fs for over 2 months (might be 3) and it started first time - got complacent and then left it for 4 months and the battery was deceased.... |
| Patrick |
This thread was discussed between 08/03/2004 and 09/03/2004
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