What could be wrong engine failure or dead battery?

billyhead

I purchased a second hand 09 Honda Civic from a private dealer a month ago and it wont start for me. This morning when i turned the ignition the dashboard lights came on and still do but the engine wont start no matter how many times I try to. When I turned the key in the ignition for the first time this morning the air condition worked but now it doesn't and the electric windows and radio is likewise. A message pops up on the control panel saying check system. Could it be a dodgy or used battery or an engine failure. I last used the car on Monday without any problems. The car is under 3 months warranty but how would that work when I cant get the car out to the dealer who is based out at the bluebell luas stop and I live in North county Dublin. I am going to ring him tomorrow as I was hoping it was just the cold weather or frost this morning that caused the problem and that it would be okay when I got home but its not. Would it be worth trying jump leads who a work colleague said she would bring in tomorrow? As I cant get it out to the dealer would the onus on him in terms of honourin gthe warranty be to organise a tow truck or I could get a local mechanic to tow it to his garage fix it, I pay the costs and then the dealer should refund me. I am not sure how I should proceed . Help:(

wonski

billyhead wrote: »

I purchased a second hand 09 Honda Civic from a private dealer a month ago and it wont start for me. This morning when i turned the ignition the dashboard lights came on and still do but the engine wont start no matter how many times I try to. When I turned the key in the ignition for the first time this morning the air condition worked but now it doesn't and the electric windows and radio is likewise. A message pops up on the control panel saying check system. Could it be a dodgy or used battery or an engine failure. I last used the car on Monday without any problems. The car is under 3 months warranty but how would that work when I cant get the car out to the dealer who is based out at the bluebell luas stop and I live in North county Dublin. I am going to ring him tomorrow as I was hoping it was just the cold weather or frost this morning that caused the problem and that it would be okay when I got home but its not. Would it be worth trying jump leads who a work colleague said she would bring in tomorrow? As I cant get it out to the dealer would the onus on him in terms of honourin gthe warranty be to organise a tow truck or I could get a local mechanic to tow it to his garage fix it, I pay the costs and then the dealer should refund me. I am not sure how I should proceed . Help:(

What is a private dealer???

You will have to bring the car to him, but it does seem to be a battery issue. Try to jump start it with cables first.

billyhead

wonski wrote: »

What is a private dealer???

You will have to bring the car to him, but it does seem to be a battery issue. Try to jump start it with cables first.

In that he is listed under his own name i.e Joe Bloggs limited trading as another name such as Dublin cars etc. Also if it did manage to get started with jump leads it could breakdown on the motorway on the way to him. Sorry I am clueless when it comes to car problems

wonski

billyhead wrote: »

In that he is listed under his own name i.e Joe Bloggs limited trading as another name such as Dublin cars etc. Also if it did manage to get started with jump leads it could breakdown on the motorway on the way to him. Sorry I am clueless when it comes to car problems

Just jump start the car and drive it for a while. If there is no warning on the dash you should be fine.

If there is a red battery symbol on the dash after you start it, could be alternator.

Do not engage with another mechanic or a towing company as they will not refund.

When you buy a TV with warranty, they don't come over to your house to collect it. The 3 months warranty could work the same way and it might not cover battery as it is a consumable.

billyhead

wonski wrote: »

Just jump start the car and drive it for a while. If there is no warning on the dash you should be fine.

If there is a red battery symbol on the dash after you start it, could be alternator.

Do not engage with another mechanic or a towing company as they will not refund.

When you buy a TV with warranty, they don't come over to your house to collect it. The 3 months warranty could work the same way and it might not cover battery as it is a consumable.

Thnaks if the jump leads fail to work should the dealer be liable to arrange to have towed away and repaired and if he doesnt what can i do i.e contact those consumer rights associations?

wonski

billyhead wrote: »

Thnaks if the jump leads fail to work should the dealer be liable to arrange to have towed away and repaired and if he doesnt what can i do i.e contact those consumer rights associations?

Try the simple solution first, and read your warranty documents. You live in Dublin, they are in Dublin. Pretty sure you can come to an agreement if needed.

You don't even know what the issue is...

No offence, but you need to slow down a bit and try to find out what's wrong with the car.

Bringing consumer rights into is sounds silly at this stage...

billyhead

wonski wrote: »

Try the simple solution first, and read your warranty documents. You live in Dublin, they are in Dublin. Pretty sure you can come to an agreement if needed.

You don't even know what the issue is...

No offence, but you need to slow down a bit and try to find out what's wrong with the car.

Bringing consumer rights into is sounds silly at this stage...

Thanks. I will ring him tomorrow.

wonski

billyhead wrote: »

Thanks. I will ring him tomorrow.

I would try to jump start first tbh.

You don't even know if there is a problem.

skintiam

Cold weather can drain a battery especially if it was sitting for a few days without being used, when you turn the car on first, especially on cold mornings, leave the engine run a few minutes before you turn anything else on, and turn everything off before you turn off the engine. Hopefully its just the battery.

Cee-Jay-Cee

Just jump start it and take it for a long drive to recharge the battery properly. Frosty weather is severe on batteries especially older ones. If it still fails to start after s long drive then the battery is dead and needs replacing (which will not be covered by warranty)

savagethegoat

I wouldn't recommend jump leads. You need to know what you are doing with them and be very careful. You could even damage the car you are jumping
from.

have you got recovery on your Insurance?

wonski

savagethegoat wrote: »

I wouldn't recommend jump leads. You need to know what you are doing with them and be very careful. You could even damage the car you are jumping
from.

have you got recovery on your Insurance?

How do you start a car with dead battery?
Tow it to the next garage, who will jump start anyway???

Definitely safer than push start.

savagethegoat

you could easily damage the electronics of either car if you don't know what you are doing (which a mechanic would if towed to him)

"Sorry I am clueless when it comes to car problems"

wonski

savagethegoat wrote: »

you could easily damage the electronics of either car if you don't know what you are doing (which a mechanic would if towed to him)

"Sorry I am clueless when it comes to car problems"

Let's not panic here

Someone else is bringing the leads and if he's never done it and no manual comes with the cables I am pretty sure op will get some answers within 2 minutes of asking on boards or google.

It isn't rocket science...

Bruthal

You never mentioned if the engine turns over but wont start, or nothing happens.

wonski

Bruthal wrote: »

You never mentioned if the engine turns over but wont start, or nothing happens.

Windows etc stopped working so I assume the battery is gone...

Good question, though.

billyhead

wonski wrote: »

Let's not panic here

Someone else is bringing the leads and if he's never done it and no manual comes with the cables I am pretty sure op will get some answers within 2 minutes of asking on boards or google.

It isn't rocket science...

The colleague is just giving e a loan of her jump leads. Shes not bringing her car around. I didnt know you need another car to do it. I might just arrange for the local mechanic/garage to have it towed thier in case I make a complete hash of it. More expense:(

billyhead

When you mean engine turn over I presume you mean chukling. I doesnt. When I press the engine start button the lights on the dash for oil, airbags etc flash a little and nothing happens.

Bruthal

wonski wrote: »

Windows etc stopped working so I assume the battery is gone...

Good question, though.

They seemed to say air conditioning worked when first put the key in ignition, then didnt. Possibly ran battery down from turning engine over. Its not too clear.

Bruthal

billyhead wrote: »

When you mean engine turn over I presume you mean chukling. I doesnt. When I press the engine start button the lights on the dash for oil, airbags etc flash a little and nothing happens.

I mean it turns over, the starter motor turns the engine to facilitate starting it.

If not, then the battery is the likely problem. Or a bad/loose connection onto it. Most likely the battery.

billyhead

Bruthal wrote: »

They seemed to say air conditioning worked when first put the key in ignition, then didnt. Possibly ran battery down from turning engine over. Its not too clear.

Yep thats what happened this morning when I first turned the key in the ignition i.e I turned the air con full blast to heat the car up and defrost the inside of the window and then when I tired to start the engine on say the 3rd attempt the air con failed and the clock also reset, radio would not work, elec windows the same etc.

wonski

billyhead wrote: »

Yep thats what happened this morning when I first turned the key in the ignition i.e I turned the air con full blast to heat the car up and defrost the inside of the window and then when I tired to start the engine on say the 3rd attempt the air con failed and the clock also reset, radio would not work, elec windows the same etc.

Definitely a battery then...

All you need is a donor car with healthy battery and jump cables.

As someone mentioned you might have a cover included in your insurance policy, but home start is not always available.

If you're really don't want to do it yourself, up to you. But I would not pay for such a simple service myself if I had a choice.