Is it electrical.....?

[edie_fox]

Again, car didn't start after getting wet. By wet, I just mean 'being in the rain'. It turns over once but then on the next try all you get is a fully dead, slight ticking around the ignition and zero dash lights.

Luckily, I was at a race circuit this time so there were many helpful people on hand without having to call out recovery. Brand new Volvo battery about a month ago. Coolant also getting used up very fast. No furring to oil or anything obviously sinister. Is this a starter motor or alternator issue maybe? Is it best just to replace both to see if that will remedy this always-seems-to-be-on-its-last-legs-when-starting feel or can someone test wether or not either of those things are in need of replacement? Shouldn't this have been picked up last time?

It started fine straight away with a jump start (nothing had been left on; lights all off, radio off, nothing plugged into lighter socket, windows shut, car locked)
It's due in to have new terminals and earth strap made in a few weeks. So I need to get him to check to see if he can find the issue.

I was so close to giving up on it a few hours ago. Haha. There's no point, we all know we're trapped in an inescapable toxic 480 cycle.

[jifflemon]

ok, get yourself onto eBay/amazon and gets yourself a nice cheap multimeter. Nothing more than £10 will suffice.

Armed with one, we can do much more troubleshooting....

[edie_fox]

ok, get yourself onto eBay/amazon and gets yourself a nice cheap multimeter. Nothing more than £10 will suffice.

Armed with one, we can do much more troubleshooting....

OK, will do. On it right this minute. Will report back!

[arthuy]

Starts with a jump but not with its own battery.

When you attached the jump leads did you put the leads directly on the battery or negative to the engine block?

If it happens again put a jump lead from the battery to the block and see if that works, would point at an earth strap fault.

Could be you are just leaking is water an issue, it could be a cable with poor insulation. Water can act as a conductor and make it worse.

Worth checking if you have any melted cables. I damaged a cable which got a bit burnt from welding, I taped the burnt bit but the battery was draining. I proved the current drain with a meter. Seems the insulation was damaged with the heat and let a little bit of current escape.

Can be anything but check the basics first.

[edie_fox]

Starts with a jump but not with its own battery.

When you attached the jump leads did you put the leads directly on the battery or negative to the engine block?

If it happens again put a jump lead from the battery to the block and see if that works, would point at an earth strap fault.

Could be you are just leaking is water an issue, it could be a cable with poor insulation. Water can act as a conductor and make it worse.

Worth checking if you have any melted cables. I damaged a cable which got a bit burnt from welding, I taped the burnt bit but the battery was draining. I proved the current drain with a meter. Seems the insulation was damaged with the heat and let a little bit of current escape.

Can be anything but check the basics first.

Multimeter should be here today. Although, I do hope it comes with instructions as I have no idea of all of the functions! Haha.

The guys at the track just took over. They attached the neg to the engine block.

Earth strap and pos side are all being replaced on 24th. Although, the guy who is doing it said ''it looks fine, I wouldn't bother" but the terminals are chewed and very hard to do up without nearly snapping now and there is a lot of mix and match going on on the pos side make-up!
I've just gone out today (after covering on return yesterday), dried it all off totally, checked to see if under bonnet was damp or any condensation at all but nothing. Gave it a go and....same again. An initial full dash display as per ignition turn on then a quick turn over with no luck, then a second go and nothing at all; dash or engine wise, just a very slight ticking noise.

Will also buy jump leads. Never needed any before!

Thank you for suggestions though. I think it will have to be checked by the man doing the battery bits. He's a recommended auto electrician, deals with mazes of madness in motorhomes so doesn't get overwhelmed by a little bit of work on a car!

[jifflemon]

Multimeter should be here today. Although, I do hope it comes with instructions as I have no idea of all of the functions! Haha.

You'll not need them! Trust me, I'll do a VERY comprehensive set of fault finding, that needs you to set it in the simple 20V range

[Murf]

I had a parasitic battery drain in mine that I traced to the aftermarket radio. It would drain the battery in a couple of days if the car was unused.

[Alan 480]

I had a parasitic battery drain in mine that I traced to the aftermarket radio. It would drain the battery in a couple of days if the car was unused.

i think i have a similar issue, maybe the radio, still to check EXACTLY what, but wouldn't start after a week

[jifflemon]

A drain is simple enough to trace. Meter set to amps, remove the meta ice terminal and insert meter. Anything more than .1 amp should be looked for.
So, leave meter connected, start by removing fuses one by one to see if it drops away.

[jifflemon]

Have also been working through fox’s problem via text. Wish I was bloody closer of course, but I think we’re making progress.

[edie_fox]

Haha. I'm £3000 in 480 advice debt already! He's going in to the auto elecs soon. The headache of my other car dying today is bigger than this one now! Thank you all so much for the ideas and clues and possibilities though. Will mention it all!

[Alan 480]

A drain is simple enough to trace. Meter set to amps, remove the meta ice terminal and insert meter. Anything more than .1 amp should be looked for.
So, leave meter connected, start by removing fuses one by one to see if it drops away.

i know, but finding the time when swapping out ruddy drive shaft gaitors,

retrieving tow-bar spacers from within chassis leg ( dropped one ) all use up valuable time

keeping a fleet on the road with MoTs etc etc, you get the gist, but on holidays next week so maybe get a day or so at them?

[jifflemon]

keeping a fleet on the road with MoTs etc etc, you get the gist, but on holidays next week so maybe get a day or so at them?

I fell your pain - My fleet is currently at 7......

[dragonflyjewels]

we're up to 7 now as well, Al's just bought a Saab, the tatty 850 has got to go !

[Alan 480]

keeping a fleet on the road with MoTs etc etc, you get the gist, but on holidays next week so maybe get a day or so at them?

I fell your pain - My fleet is currently at 7......

no that's not a fleet that's an obsession

at least i have some variety!

[dcwalker]

7!!

That really does give me something to aspire to

Mind you, another 480 is pending - that'll bring the mixed fleet number up to 4...

David