FTO AUSTRALIA

Ok guys, got a big problem. My car won't start and it's stranded . I have tried to jump start it but no luck. I'm thinking it could be my starter motor, does anyone know how much they cost?

This has happen once before about 3 months ago, I was shopping around for an alarm system, the car broke down infront of the store, so I assume my immoboliser was playing up and got the alarm and immoboliser replaced, the car started fine after that. The next few days I also had my 100k service, the car was running and starting ok until today when it wouldn't start.

Also the last time I started the car it seem like it was struggling abit to start.

I'm thinking the problem is either with my immoboliser or starter motor. Anyone have any ideas?

Is it just totally dead? Or does it try and turn over, and then fail.

Occasionally i'd jump in my car to find that i'd turn the key and absolutely nothing would happen, what i'd have to do was get out, pop the bonnet and then undo + reattach the battery terminals as there was a layer of corrosion building up on the inside of them. I replaced the terminals with new ones and it never happened again.

If you seem to have zero power (jump starting would not work in this case either, as the lead would be connecting to your own dodgey battery terminals) then this is quite possibly the problem.

However... if your car is making an attempt to start or you can turn on electricals or anything then you'll need some further advice.

battery terminals and leads are common items never inspected or fixed...needs to been to conduct the starting current.

I was just working on my other car where the battery is located in the boot and the positive wire just fell right off...lol I spent a lot of time making sure it is secure.

Battery is abit over the 12 volt mark. The terminals are clean, removed it and screw it back it but it still won't start.

It is totally dead. Turn the ignition and no sound at all. I'm thinking my immboliser has kicked in. I have no idea...

it might be as u suggested. u might need some1 to look at it as its hard to diagnose your situation

If it was your immobiliser, the check engine light etc would still light up.

If there is no power at all, it points towards your electricals... good luck there...

Mike

Is it a tip or manual? Perhaps the switch preventing you from starting in gear is not working properly. Chuck (hehe) it in neutral and try that.

I got the same problem as dmxmatrix describes in his post http://www.ftoaustralia.com/modules.php ... pic&t=8245

I have pm dmxmatrix to find out what he did..

The check engine comes on.... I got a tip, I tried starting the engine in neutral and played around with the transmission, no luck.

It's been 2 days now, I tried starting it again today, it made a buzzing noise like the one the windscreen wipers make and thats it, I tried disabling my alarm with the disable key, damm thing still won't start.

is the battery flat? or the starter motor dead?

The battery is not flat... I don't know if the starter motor is dead, it might be... I'm going to go check it out and tow now...

I got the problem fixed. The starter motor was worn out. Replaced it for $250 second hand... Appriciate all the input you guys provided.

now I have a problem lol wife dorve the car home last night...went to start it 2day and nothing form the alarm...which I thought was wierd. did a few things...something is wrong...just not sure what. will update onc I found out what it is. probably the immobiliser - hmmm intresting one.

---edit

no so intresting..battery is totally flat and can't even power the immobiliser or a 12V lamp directly onto the terminals...my multi-meter is flat also - thanks to me leaving it on last time - but when i look at it I suspect I will see a very low voltage.

will replace today/tomorrow. but also might be the alternator ... need to suss that out to see which one has died.

check your fuses n relays, relays can click on and off if they are a tad dodgee, buy one 4 pin n swap it to see if tht helps, or u may have fried a fuse inplace, so it will werk occasionally, if u have had an immobilsor n stuff fitted recently they may have stuffed up n spiked summink to cause a fuse or relay to fail. good luck!

turned out to be just a flat battery...noting special...why? some1 left the lights on ! lesson? don't let the wife drive your FTO!

heheh well i decided to get a new, larger battery and change the wiper blades for something to do...all good now.

anyone want a spare battery ?? :

khunjeng wrote:
heheh well i decided to get a new, larger battery and change the wiper blades for something to do...all good now.

anyone want a spare battery ?? :

wiper blades!!!

hell, probably the best $10 ive ever spent.

was driving on the freeway, and it poured down, couldnt c sh*t even with the wipers on. getting fed up, and knowing how dangerous it is, just dropped past an auto store and got some new ones.

I can see again! it was MAGIC!

in all seriousness, for anyone thats having problems with their wipers, change em

** Srys for hijacking post... but couldn resist lol...**

I've done the same thing (left my light on and batt has gone flat.) New battery cost me over $100.

I went out and bought a Jaycar headlight reminder kit - cost me $20ish but its the best investment i've made - It's saved my battery a few times since already!

onnzo wrote:I've done the same thing (left my light on and batt has gone flat.) New battery cost me over $100.

I went out and bought a Jaycar headlight reminder kit - cost me $20ish but its the best investment i've made - It's saved my battery a few times since already!

I don't get it? My FTO beeps at you when you open the door with the headlights still on. What does this kit do that the FTO doesn't?

rnbboi wrote:

khunjeng wrote:
heheh well i decided to get a new, larger battery and change the wiper blades for something to do...all good now.

anyone want a spare battery ?? :

wiper blades!!!

hell, probably the best $10 ive ever spent.

was driving on the freeway, and it poured down, couldnt c sh*t even with the wipers on. getting fed up, and knowing how dangerous it is, just dropped past an auto store and got some new ones.

I can see again! it was MAGIC!

in all seriousness, for anyone thats having problems with their wipers, change em

** Srys for hijacking post... but couldn resist lol...**

now all I need is some wiper metal bit that looks cool...always forget to buy these.

noccers wrote:

onnzo wrote:I've done the same thing (left my light on and batt has gone flat.) New battery cost me over $100.

I went out and bought a Jaycar headlight reminder kit - cost me $20ish but its the best investment i've made - It's saved my battery a few times since already!

I don't get it? My FTO beeps at you when you open the door with the headlights still on. What does this kit do that the FTO doesn't?

It only beeps at you when the keys are in - not if the lights are on - not my car anyway? (I found that feature annoying so I disabled it)

Mike