2001 VW Golf, 125000kms.
The car hasn't been used for 1.5 months. I tried to start it today and it wont work.
The engine tries to turn over maybe makes it 1/4 the way, then the starter just makes a clicking noise until I let go of the key.
I thought it might be a bad battery, however even while the car is attached to jumper cables to another car the same behavior occurs.
The dipstick shows oil at the appropriate level, there is fuel in the tank. I suspect that the engine may be seized or insufficient lubrication making it too difficult for the starter to turn the engine.
Any suggestions?
2007-03-12 14:40:25 · 8 answers · asked by crosbyb 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Thanks everyone for their quick responses.
I tried to start the car immediately after attaching the booster car to the cables. I will try again, this time allowing the booster car to charge the battery for 5 minutes before attempting to start.
Failing that, I will purchase a new battery.
2007-03-12 15:01:30 · update #1
I'd say it's the battery. I've had ones that were so dead even a jump couldn't get the car started. Try swapping a good battery in and see if it starts.
2007-03-12 14:46:09 · answer #1 · answered by DialM4Speed 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's the battery. You need to jump it properly.
Jumper cables cannot carry enough current to start the engine, unless all four connections are extraordinarily good. You can't count on that.
The jumper cables are simply used to recharge the weak battery enough to start the engine with a little help. But the weak battery has to be able to do a fair bit of the work.
If the battery is old, maybe it can't do that. 1.5 months of sitting would finish off a battery that was marginal. You typically get 4-6 years out of a battery. I'll bet it was the car's original battery, and its time has come. Replace it and you should have a happy car. 75,000 miles is low, and 1.5 months of sitting won't hurt it too badly.
2007-03-12 14:44:53 · answer #2 · answered by Wolf Harper 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I doubt that it seized, as you said it turned over about 1/4 of the way.
Your battery is just probably dead from storage and the drain from the clock and some other crap that new cars have (they aren't ever "off").
Jumping: After connecting the two vehicles, let the charging car dump its 14 volts from the alternator into your battery for say 5 minutes. Maybe clean your battery terminals first? It'll probably kick over then.
If it turns but doesn't fire off, your fuel system might be lacking. Probably fuel injection. With the battery half charged from the prior jump session, turn your key on, but don't start the car. In many models this fires the fuel pump for a couple seconds. Two or three of these should recharge your fuel rail.
2007-03-12 14:47:26 · answer #3 · answered by KirksWorld 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
really sounds like a battery problem. when you connected the jumper cables are you positive you had good contact, was the battery post corroded? and how long did you leave them connected? and was the other vehicles charging system good enough to supply its own power and supply power to yours? the turning of the engine, even though it wasnt much lets you know the starter shouldnt be fried, and the clicking is a dead give a way of power loss from your own battery.
odds are your jumper cables didnt have a good connection, or you didnt leave the other car running long enough to help charge yours up, or your battery is fried and wont accept a charge. good luck
2007-03-12 14:51:58 · answer #4 · answered by robert7hall 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its referred to as the vast 3. WIRES BATTERY ALTERNATOR Your going interior the incorrect course bud. a sparkling alternator is best. additionally, you in no way run your stereo at the same time as the automobile no longer working. this might kill the battery in a count of minutes. you ought to look right into a deep cycle battery however the alternator is the main needed. and additionally do no longer! Get a capacitor. Im unwell of persons telling different persons to get a cap while their lighting fixtures furnishings dim, or their automobile won't initiate while its constantly the alternator.
2016-10-18 05:50:42 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the battery but if its an older car it might be worth your while to check the plugs and points,if your concerned about the oil just drain it and refill with new oil from the top, and dont forget to replave the oil filter,its dead cheap and dead easy to do
2007-03-12 14:51:49 · answer #6 · answered by coopsradar 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take your battery out and charge it.Sometimes if there completely dead they are hard to jumpstart,and check the water in it.
2007-03-12 14:48:12 · answer #7 · answered by ATV Rider 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Change the battery, it won't do good even if you jump start it
2007-03-12 14:46:33 · answer #8 · answered by gryp_yuehan 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋