FTO AUSTRALIA

Hey guys, after having never ending problems with my car I am about ready to rip my hair out.

First of all I was having the car die at intersections (my car was stolen, found, fixed and returned and since then... problems). So I finally figured out how to clean the stepper and adjust the idle, so thats all sorted.

Since then, if I don't use my car for a few days, it wouldn't start. So I had the battery replaced and the guy said the alternator was fine, giving a good charge etc.

New battery has lasted about 2 weeks, and today car won't start. I had the starter motor checked on my warrant of fitness last week, and they said as far as they can tell its fine.

If I give it a quick charge, it starts straight away (from a wall socket charger), so I don't think its the starter motor either.

So, basically I feel that something is draining the battery when the car is not in use.

Would that be right? I have had a couple of people mention the earth wire may not be grounded properly. Is this something I can easily check myself? Ultimately I may end up at an auto electrician but I have spent enough money on this car lately, so ideally if there are things I can do to check myself, that would be good.

What roughly would an auto electrician cost to check and/or fix it?

Any other ideas? I have actually ripped out my stereo tonight (long story but my dad put it in and I am not sure it was installed properly). Thats really the only 'modification' to the car other than a car alarm 5 years ago.

Any help appreciated
Scott

So your car was srolen with a car alarm installed? what did the thieves do to get around the alarm?

damn...why do FTo get stolen easily these days??? scary

Ummmm, I may not have had it turned on

Update: So I charged the car all night long last night, and this morning, wouldn't start. Put the charger back on and kept it on, and it started. Moved it onto the street and left it, came home from work, and it started (3 times, straight away). Its driving me nuts!

When you say wouldnt start what is voltage of the battery?

Well its a brand new battery, inside its sitting around the 14-16v on the dial, and with a multimeter is about 13.2v?

Yesterday it started, so took it to the train station, where it now sits as it wouldn't start again. And it wouldn't jump start either, which was odd. Got a burning (arcing or oxygen?) smell as well, it just wouldn't turn over.

I reckon the starter solenoids are arcing out, causing the drain & eventually the burning smell & failure to start at all...

OK, would this be easy to fix or expensive do you think? When I thought the starter motor had gone, the mechanic was talking in the area of $800 or so...

lol. Nah I bought one from Sydney Auto Dismantler a few weeks back for $125.

Its 2 bolts & 1 plug to swap. Albeit, on your back to do the job.

zuihoujueding wrote:damn...why do FTo get stolen easily these days??? scary

It aint just FTO's mate, it's anything they want. No security system in a car will ever stop a professional thief getting it if they really want to. It's scary sh*t. Search on youtube (often deleted quickly though) and sites ike www.liveleak.com (not moderated) and you will see :S

Cool ,cheers for the that, is there a way I can check if it is the starter solenoid?

Apparently, according to the cops, it is so easy for them, push the ignition through and use a screwdriver to start. 5 second stuff!

FTEvolution wrote:

zuihoujueding wrote:damn...why do FTo get stolen easily these days??? scary

It aint just FTO's mate, it's anything they want. No security system in a car will ever stop a professional thief getting it if they really want to. It's scary sh*t. Search on youtube (often deleted quickly though) and sites ike www.liveleak.com (not moderated) and you will see :S

damn damn damn! I would die if mine got stolen.
I would search heaven and earth to locate the thief and pulverize him!

So it looks like it may well be the solenoid. I had to hit it with a hammer (mechanic told me as well to do that), eventually it started, so they are now working out. Will let you know what the result is! Cheers guys