Car starting on 3rd attempt every 2nd day!

py2006

Ok, I'm not a car person but on two mornings last week the car tried to start but cut out the first couple times I turned the key. Then it started no problem and off to work I went without any issues or warning lights etc.

Yesterday I went out with no issues but when I returned to car 6 hours later the same thing happened.

Is this a battery issue? :-/

The car is a 2011 Citreon C5 which was serviced last summer.

valerossi

Nope it a French problem:) does it sound like it's struggling to start like does it sound more laboured starting up? Does it rev higher then usual once it's going and how much driving does it get.

py2006

valerossi wrote: »

Nope it a French problem:) does it sound like it's struggling to start like does it sound more laboured starting up?

Yea kinda. When it did start up I thought the engine sound a little odd for a few secs then all was normal.

valerossi

py2006 wrote: »

Yea kinda. When it did start up I thought the engine sound a little odd for a few secs then all was normal.

Would you drive on long journeys?

py2006

valerossi wrote: »

Would you drive on long journeys?

No not at all. Short trip to work.

valerossi

More than lightly your battery is not getting a good charge, short journeys can shorten battery life. Don't rush into a new one doe have a good auto factors test it and if needs be they will put the new one in for you if ya ask. Is it diesel?

py2006

valerossi wrote: »

More than lightly your battery is not getting a good charge, short journeys can shorten battery life. Don't rush into a new one doe have a good auto factors test it and if needs be they will put the new one in for you if ya ask. Is it diesel?

Yea its diesel. I had a diagnostic check on the car a few months ago as I had other problems but nothing came up.

valerossi

py2006 wrote: »

Yea its diesel. I had a diagnostic check on the car a few months ago as I had other problems but nothing came up.

Diesel and short journeys don't mix unfortunately I'm guessing particle filter issues was or will be another issue.
The battery will never show on diagnostics testing.

timmy4u2

I would have thought if it was a battery problem that it would be weaker by the third attempt.
Is the starter turning the engine as fast as it used to and just not starting it to or is it turning the engine slower.
What is the total mileage on the car.?
I presume it is the 1.6 psa engine

pete4130

Get a cheap multimeter for €10 from Argos or an electronics store and check the voltage on your battery yourself before you start the car. You might have to youtube how to work the multimeter if you've never used one before.

It will tell you the current voltage of your battery. It should be up around the 12.7v mark. Once you start the car you can check it again and see if its receiving a good charge from the alternator.

If it is diesel and the voltage is a little low it can make it harder to start up.

py2006

timmy4u2 wrote: »

I would have thought if it was a battery problem that it would be weaker by the third attempt.
Is the starter turning the engine as fast as it used to and just not starting it to or is it turning the engine slower.
What is the total mileage on the car.?
I presume it is the 1.6 psa engine

Yea it is a 1.6. Yea, I think so. All the lights come on straight away but then go out. I thought before this problem that at times the engine was slow to start but I thought it was my imagination.

timmy4u2

py2006 wrote: »

Yea it is a 1.6. Yea, I think so. All the lights come on straight away but then go out. I thought before this problem that at times the engine was slow to start but I thought it was my imagination.

Yes but the kernel here is, is the engine slow to turn over on the key before starting or is the engine turning over fast on the key and just slow to start.
What is thectotal mileage of the car?

py2006

timmy4u2 wrote: »

Yes but the kernel here is, is the engine slow to turn over on the key before starting or is the engine turning over fast on the key and just slow to start.
What is thectotal mileage of the car?

Hmmm, not sure. I just went out and turned it on there now and there was no problems, engine came on straight away. Can guarantee tomorrow morning before work it will cut out again. There is just under 30,000km on the clock.

timmy4u2

I would not think that it is your particle filter at that mileage. It is only on its second service so and I presume main dealer.
These engines do not like slow short trips.
I still do not know from you if the starter is turning the engine fast when it does not start or if it stops turning it.
Check the battery connections.

py2006

timmy4u2 wrote: »

I still do not know from you if the starter is turning the engine fast when it does not start or if it stops turning it.

Eh, not even sure what you mean by that?

noelf

py2006 wrote: »

Eh, not even sure what you mean by that?

I'm thinking you should bring the car for a good run on motorway at 120 kph ...

py2006

noelf wrote: »

I'm thinking you should bring the car for a good run on motorway at 120 kph ...

Asking me to break the law huh!

Well I did a good run to Kildare village the last couple weekends. Well only 45mins

Guy:Incognito

py2006 wrote: »

Asking me to break the law huh!

The limit on most motorways is 120.

py2006

Guy:Incognito wrote: »

The limit on most motorways is 120.

M50 is 100km/h. I think it was reduced when it went to 3 lanes.

noelf

Guy:Incognito wrote: »

The limit on most motorways is 120.

Oh just thought Could it be dodgy diesel

timmy4u2

py2006 wrote: »

Eh, not even sure what you mean by that?

OK. How shall I put this.
Is the starter turning the engine over at a strong pace, or does the starter start to fail and get weaker in that the engine slows down.
That is in a situation where the car does not start.
There is a big difference between the starter turning the engine and the engine continuing to run on its own when the starter is let off, or running on its own and then cutting out.
After this I will give up

Guy:Incognito

py2006 wrote: »

M50 is 100km/h. I think it was reduced when it went to 3 lanes.

That's why I said most and not all.