Car won't start, making clicking/whirring sound.

osarusan

Hi all.

Out of the blue (always started normally), my wife's car just won't start. It's an automatic Honda Fit (Jazz), imported from Japan.

When turning the key, you just hear a short burst of rapid clicking that fades after a second or so. No other sound. The dashboard panel flashes at the same rapid speed too.

Even when trying to use the key to engage the central locking, I hear the same rapid clicking sound that fades away. The automatic windows won't open or shut either- can't remember if they produced the same clicking sound.

I am hoping it is just a dying battery, but what else might it be?

Pretzill

osarusan wrote: »

I am hoping it is just a dying battery, but what else might it be?

Might be the starting motor?

fancy pigeon

Sounds like a dying battery

osarusan

Pretzill wrote: »

Might be the starting motor?

That's what I'm afraid of, but would that cause the issues with central locking and automatic windows also?

omb0wyn5ehpij9

fancy pigeon wrote: »

Sounds like a dying battery

That's what I thought of when I read the OP

Nate--IRL--

I've a Jazz - it's an empty battery.

Nate

biko

Start by jumping the car and see.

osarusan

My wife: "yeah we sat there chatting with the engine off and the air conditioner on high for about 10 minutes while we waited to collect the kids from school."

:mad::mad::mad:

TallGlass

osarusan wrote: »

My wife: "yeah we sat there chatting with the engine off and the air conditioner on high for about 10 minutes while we waited to collect the kids from school."

:mad::mad::mad:

Defo the battery!

Boom_Bap

osarusan wrote: »

My wife: "yeah we sat there chatting with the engine off and the air conditioner on high for about 10 minutes while we waited to collect the kids from school."

:mad::mad::mad:

I guess that solves the riddle!

doolox

You will need to get into the car by using the Key manually if a key is available.

Then you will need to jump start the car from another car with good battery and run the affected car for a long spin to get its battery up to enough charge.

The big danger of jump starting is getting the leads on backwards. You risk blowing the electronic management units and it could cost you thousands to repair.

If in doubt get a rescue service to assist you in the restart.

H3llR4iser

osarusan wrote: »

My wife: "yeah we sat there chatting with the engine off and the air conditioner on high for about 10 minutes while we waited to collect the kids from school."

:mad::mad::mad:

How does the aircon even work with the engine off? Usually the compressor in cars is driven by the serpentine belt and just doesn't work at all with the engine off (the fan will blow air, but it's just environment temperature).

That said, it's definitely a dead battery - the classic "click click click cl..." of the relais is a giveaway sign.

osarusan

All sorted, yeah it was the battery. Drove it round for an hour.

Thanks all.

coylemj

doolox wrote: »

The big danger of jump starting is getting the leads on backwards. You risk blowing the electronic management units and it could cost you thousands to repair.

That's virtually impossible to do because when you try to make the second connection which would connect the two batteries in series (+ to - and - to +), there will be a massive spark that will literally make you jump and you will never be able to make the connection.

fxotoole

osarusan wrote: »

Hi all.

Out of the blue (always started normally), my wife's car just won't start. It's an automatic Honda Fit (Jazz), imported from Japan.

When turning the key, you just hear a short burst of rapid clicking that fades after a second or so. No other sound. The dashboard panel flashes at the same rapid speed too.

Even when trying to use the key to engage the central locking, I hear the same rapid clicking sound that fades away. The automatic windows won't open or shut either- can't remember if they produced the same clicking sound.

I am hoping it is just a dying battery, but what else might it be?

Dead/dodgy/dying battery. If you can get your hands on a multimeter, put the probes on the terminals of the battery and see what voltage you get. A healthy battery should be 12.6 volts, I believe. Anything less than 12 and it’s fooked.

tcawley29

H3llR4iser wrote: »

How does the aircon even work with the engine off? Usually the compressor in cars is driven by the serpentine belt and just doesn't work at all with the engine off (the fan will blow air, but it's just environment temperature).

That said, it's definitely a dead battery - the classic "click click click cl..." of the relais is a giveaway sign.

A lot of people call the normal air blower air conditioning. She could have meant this

bazz26

Did you try changing the wife?

bonkers67

A new battery would be cheaper!

TallGlass

H3llR4iser wrote: »

How does the aircon even work with the engine off? Usually the compressor in cars is driven by the serpentine belt and just doesn't work at all with the engine off (the fan will blow air, but it's just environment temperature).

That said, it's definitely a dead battery - the classic "click click click cl..." of the relais is a giveaway sign.

I'd say it was the motor blower unit more so than the AC, like you said it won't function unless the belt is running the motor.