Battery full but won't start, fast ticking only

2005
I only get really fast ticking, not like a flat battery, so i checked it w/ a multimeter and it's saying 11.4v so I dont think it's that (?)

The display time is flashing and on zero time (meaning the battery has been disconnected at some stage??)

It seems to do one window wipe after trying to turn it over?? (i haven't had it long but I checked it wasn;t me knocking the lever - i'm not 100% on that tho)

It acted weird last night when i moved it a few feet (with the door open) bright flashing interior light (maybe that's normal) It started fine last night.

I checked the ignition coil fuse (number 15 under the bonnet) I dont have one of the plug in readers yet

Any ideas?

Hi tez

tez wrote: so i checked it w/ a multimeter and it's saying 11.4v so I dont think it's that

It could well be the battery if it doesn't have enough capacity to turn the starter, maybe try charging it up a bit

Have a look here on ECP (click), enter your reg for a battery delivered if you find you need a new battery.

tez wrote:It seems to do one window wipe after trying to turn it over?? (i haven't had it long but I checked it wasn;t me knocking the lever - i'm not 100% on that tho)

A flat battery can play tricks with the BSI and BSM (that control the wipers - and everything else). So I still would concentrate on the battery, rather than any engine fault just yet.

tez wrote:It acted weird last night when i moved it a few feet (with the door open) bright flashing interior light (maybe that's normal) It started fine last night.

Yes, that's normal.



If the battery checks out as having some decent capacity, look to the starter motor next.

Thanks C3Car, I'll try charging it right up first

Yep that worked - thanks C3Car
Funny that 11.4 v won't kick it over but 12 will - good to know!

Hi tez

Battery voltage is just an indicator of the battery's ability to supply current. A large current is what you need to operate the starter motor.

Now you're up and running I'd find a tyre and battery shop that does free battery checks unless you know someone with a battery tester?

Unless your car has been parked up for a considerable time or you've left something switched on, a flat battery is an indicator that there's a problem, either with the battery or with the charging circuit (the alternator and wiring). Worth getting it checked before it lets you down again.

tez wrote:Yep that worked - thanks C3Car
Funny that 11.4 v won't kick it over but 12 will - good to know!

Not a problem, but as Missing Lincs says, your problem isn't really fixed.

Missing Lincs wrote:a flat battery is an indicator that there's a problem, either with the battery or with the charging circuit (the alternator and wiring). Worth getting it checked before it lets you down again

You have access to a multi-meter and a quick check of the alternator can give you a heads-up on what may be happening.

With the engine running, check the voltage across the battery, look for over 12v but not over 14v. This can show if the alternator is charging, not charging or overcharging.

You can try this test with the lights on too, so there is a bit of a current draw.

If charging is good, then the battery is likely to be on its last legs. Common in a cold snap for batteries to fail.

Great will try that on the weekend
Thanks

Checked it -it's reading 14.9

tez wrote:Checked it -it's reading 14.9

This does seem a bit high, I would suggest getting it checked by an auto electrician.

If the alternator is overcharging the battery, it will kill off the battery. Even a new battery won't survive much over-charging.

Do you have any corrosion looking stuff around the battery terminals?

If you do, can you take a picture?

Maybe you cleaned it off when you had battery problems?

There's no corrosion at all - not a speck

I'll book in a battery test (tho' my inner cynic is sure they'll have to sell me a new one lol)