Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Gaffers]

Good evening chaps,

Just had to recover the car home.  I was about to join a dual carriageway and engaged 4th when it suddenly popped out of gear which sent the revs to about 4k.  The engine then cut out.  I tried to restart while coasting but no joy.  It behaved like a flat battery with the tell-tale clicking, alarm going off when I turn the key, etc.  I got the car home and the battery was 11.8v, I expected less but I guess that would be low enough to stop it from turning over.

The kicker is that I had no warning light on at all prior to cut out.  I had driven 2 hours back from work to home.  I had stopped for 20 minutes before heading out again.  No sign of a battery about to die, engine started normally yet 10 minutes later it cut out.  I also thought that diesels carried on even when the battery was flat unless the fuel pump stops.  Can batteries go off a cliff-edge like that?

[Doctor Gollum]

Aux belt still present? Manual or auto?

Hello, BTW, been wondering how you were doing

[Gaffers]

yup aux still there and in place.  manual box. 

[Doctor Gollum]

Wonder if the sudden jump in rpm has caused a voltage spike

Drop in voltage at the battery could simply be from repeated attempts to start.

[Gaffers]

Not sure about the repeated starts, the first time I tried while coasting it was flat (or seemed flat).  I would have expected the battery to be well charged after a 2 hour run even if I had stopped and restarted.

I am worried about 2 possibilities:

- seized starter motor
- seized engine

[Doctor Gollum]

Does it turn over with jump leads attached

[Gaffers]

Didn't have any handy.  Just got it home, whipped off the battery and stuck it on charge.

[Doctor Gollum]

Didn't have any handy.  Just got it home, whipped off the battery and stuck it on charge.

Fair dos. Try it once recharged and see if it at least turns over. If it does, then KWs excellent start/charge guide will hopefully rule out/confirm battery and alternator issues.

I think you would know if you'd seized the engine at 4K rpm

[Lazydocker]

I suspect it's been overcharging and killed the battery.

Voltage drop could cause fuel solenoid to shut off and stall

[Gaffers]

Well the starter motor is goosed for sure. Charged up the battery last night. It hadn't finished but it was showing 13.8v.  Tried to start and the same thing happened, click of the solenoid engaging lights on the dash going dim, alarm gives two bips which it does when the battery is first connected.

Stuck it 5th and got the towbar back on. Dragged it a few meters in gear and the wheels turned ok so not seized. I just wont have time to get it done before i go on my holibobs tonight. Arse.

[Doctor Gollum]

At least the engine is free

When it cut out, did you try bumping to restart or on the starter?

[Marks DTM Calib]

Connect a jump lead from the battery neg to an engine mount and try again.

[Gaffers]

At least the engine is free

When it cut out, did you try bumping to restart or on the starter?

Situation didn't allow for it. Too much fast moving traffic.

[STEMO]

Have you tried the Earth as Mark suggest, Matt?
And where've yer been , big lad?

[Gaffers]

Connect a jump lead from the battery neg to an engine mount and try again.

Unfortunately, i don't have any more time to deal with it right now. I know Mark is trying to differentiate with the relay or the motor but i can hear the solenoid engage so i am almost certain its the motor. If i get a spare 5mins before i leave i will trh it.