what could be???

ed · Post by ed » Fri Sep 23, 2005 6:41 pm

what could be the problem? At first, everytime I start my car, it seems that it is having a hard time to start. I thought its just my battery is not fully charged enough, ( coz I always play my stereo loud! ) Now it just wont start, i can hear a clicking noise, the battery seems to be charged coz the meter is pointing at 12 volts. I just parked my car after driving from work, gonna buy something from the shop. Now it is stuck in the public carpark. I changed the stepper motor 5-6 months ago. Could it be the starter motor? any guides to changes them? part number please. (if you think that it is the problem) please help!!

scarecrow · Post by **scarecrow** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 6:55 pm

It's a flat battery mate, i'm almost sure of it. Disregard the voltmeter, cause it isn't showing what's really happening when you try to start the car. If you get a multimeter the battery will read 12volts when nothings happening but as soon as you turn highbeams on or try to start the car you'll see it drop dramatically, thus meaning you need a new battery.

In the unlikely event that you diagnose the battery as being fine then post again and we'll try an sort it out.

ed · Post by ed » Fri Sep 23, 2005 6:58 pm

gonna try that one out, thanks for your help mate

mxysxy · Post by **mxysxy** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 6:59 pm

I definately think this is a dodgy battery as well.
Is your car manual? If yes, maybe try to push-start it.
Try using some other battery that works.

Post by **Bennoz** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 7:01 pm

Agreed, sounds like shot battery. Get NRMA to have a look for you anyway - they've got multimetres & the like to test. If its not, then they can at least give you a diagnosis & as Scarecrow said - from there we can help you further with parts, part numbers & repairers...

shue · Post by **shue** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 7:11 pm

or a f$%^ed alternator

Post by **dstocks** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 7:17 pm

Or, you'r not getting a good connection on your terminals. Make sure the're clean.

Post by **smorison** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 7:29 pm

shue wrote:or a f$%^ed alternator

unlikely but possible it really sounds like the battery...

if you get a metalic whiring noise when you accelerate that's the first good hint that your alternator (normally the regulator in it) is on the way out...

the ticking noise generally means there's not enough juice to turn the starter motor over.

ed · Post by ed » Fri Sep 23, 2005 7:32 pm

nope its not the battery, the terminal is clean, and i just remembered that my baterry has an indicator if its charged. I had a look at it, its green so its definitely charged. I can hear a CLICK and a hissing sound from the engine but its not starting. I even rev it before i turned the engine off, hoping it will charge the baterry since i thought my baterry is weak. Will an ecu reset will do? damn I dont even know what im talking about

Im just afraid that someone will trash my car if I leave it in the carpark tonight. Gotta work tomorrow at 7:00.

Post by **smorison** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 7:36 pm

could be a screwed starter motor i guess....

got a hammer ?

give it a light bash and then try starting the car

ed · Post by ed » Fri Sep 23, 2005 7:41 pm

are you serious? (knocking the alternator) if its the alternator? where i can get one? I hope its included in the warranty. damn grrrrr

ed · Post by ed » Fri Sep 23, 2005 7:44 pm

stupid question....is starter motor and alternator the same thing???

mxysxy · Post by **mxysxy** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 7:53 pm

ed wrote:stupid question....is starter motor and alternator the same thing???

No.

More and more I think now, your problem could be the seat covers.
Are they stock? If yes, you need the leatherette ones(refer to Group Buy Section) They fix lots of problems.

Post by **Bennoz** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 7:58 pm

mxysxy wrote:
ed wrote:stupid question....is starter motor and alternator the same thing???
No.

More and more I think now, your problem could be the seat covers.
Are they stock? If yes, you need the leatherette ones(refer to Group Buy Section) They fix lots of problems.

HAHAHA.... funny stuff Max

NRMA matey - that's my advice. We could be here all night diagnosing it this way... If your not a member, a callout is only 90 bucks. And then sign up!

scarecrow · Post by **scarecrow** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 8:08 pm

I still think it's the battery

Call the NRMA out, if your not a member save your money and go buy a multimeter (10 - 20bux all hardware stores, car part stores, electronic stores) and we'll give you a crash course in figuring it out.

You want to rule out the cheap problems first, then you can move on to the starter/alternator etc. Oh and by rule out, i mean properly, not by checking the incar voltmeter or battery charge window.

ed · Post by ed » Sat Sep 24, 2005 2:31 pm

mxysxy wrote:
ed wrote:stupid question....is starter motor and alternator the same thing???
No.

More and more I think now, your problem could be the seat covers.
Are they stock? If yes, you need the leatherette ones(refer to Group Buy Section) They fix lots of problems.

Ok I will try that and take it from you, I am sure you have tried it before. hehehe

mxysxy · Post by **mxysxy** » Sat Sep 24, 2005 2:57 pm

ed wrote:
mxysxy wrote:
ed wrote:stupid question....is starter motor and alternator the same thing???
No.

More and more I think now, your problem could be the seat covers.
Are they stock? If yes, you need the leatherette ones(refer to Group Buy Section) They fix lots of problems.
Ok I will try that and take it from you, I am sure you have tried it before. hehehe

Yep, I have two sets, one for spare. Never had any problems since.

shue · Post by **shue** » Sun Sep 25, 2005 2:06 pm

tutututut max advertising eh?

Post by **Bennoz** » Sun Sep 25, 2005 6:08 pm

shue wrote:tutututut max advertising eh?

Question is - Is it for personal profit?

*Squints one eye & looks at Max suspiciously*

mxysxy · Post by **mxysxy** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 10:16 am

Bennoz wrote:
shue wrote:tutututut max advertising eh?
Question is - Is it for personal profit?

*Squints one eye & looks at Max suspiciously*

Mostly to help fellow FTO owners. There is enough for me to buy couple of DBA slotted rotors in it.