Car Wouldn't Start

Clareman

I know, great description, bear with me and I'll try to elaborate

My car was parked up for a week or so, the other evening I called up to my in-laws(about a 3 mile drive), nothing untoward until we went to leave again and the car wouldn't start. All the lights and electrics were fine in the car, just would have a "tick tick tick" noise when I turned the key, no engine turn at all. I tried jumping the car, no joy, but giving it a bit of a push and it started perfectly, then stopped it and tried again, wouldn't start, needed to be started after being pushed down a hill.

Since then it has started perfectly every time off the spare key, I noticed that the remote central locking wouldn't have a bog range on it so I thought the transponder key battery might be going, just wondering if that's right or if it could be something else, I'm due a service soon and would like to know what to ask the mechanic to check.

The car is a 07 Avensis, 120k on it, I'm the only owner of it and have a full service history, I know nothing about cars except to get them serviced when the are due a service.

colm_mcm

The remote locking and transponder are seperate on those.

I'd suspect the starter motor.

If it was a transponder issue the starter motor would turn but the engine wouldn't catch.

Have you tried it again with the main key?

Clareman

The 2 keys are the same, sorry, it has been working fine since, about 10 journeys. I ordered a new battery for the key just in case

Is there any tests or anything that can be done on the starter motor or is it just a case of replacing it? If it needs replacing, how much roughly would it cost? Micksgarage doesn't seem to sell them

colm_mcm

I got my avensis starter reconditioned for €60 buy a guy called Christy Madden on the ballysimon road.

I took it out myself though,

Auto electrician across from banner on the mill road wanted €180 or something crazy.

If you turn on your headlights and they're dim, then you've got a battery problem. If you get a click when you turn the key then its likely to be the starter.

Especially if jump starting makes no difference.
Sometimes belting the starter motor will get you out of bother

Repeatedly turning the key to start can trigger the starter into moving.

Just see what happens in the next few days

Clareman

Thanks Colm

delly

A multimetre will verify a thing or two as well. It should be around 12v when off and 14v when running. This will verify the charge in the battery is being held and that your altanator is charging ok.

Clareman

Majorily n00b question here, but do I have to take the motor out myself to get someone to check it? How would I go about hooking a multi-metre to it? A friend of mine is an electrician, I'm sure I could ask him to check for me if it was handy enough

anthony4335

Check the battery, this is more likely the cause. Easier and cheaper to check out first. You can check it a meter, should be approx 12v sitting and should drop below 11 i think while starting and should be between 13 to 14v when running.

Clareman

Won't start again today I've had to call a mechanic to come take it away as I wasn't able to get it to start off the small hill outside my house, this is going to cost me a f***ing fortune I fear

Clareman

Got the car back and it's working fine, replacement starter motor and battery needed, tried to get it re-conditioned but it was too far gone, the battery wouldn't hold a charge. Got the car serviced while I was at it, €350 all in, happy with that.

colm_mcm

You did well there

Would have not been surprised at €350 without the service