Car won't start after leaving lights on, jump leads no good

httpete · 29-10-2012 11:56AM #1

I left the lights on by accident the other day for several hours and then my car wouldn't start. I tried using jump leads on the battery but no go. They made absolutely zero difference, all I get is a clicking sound, the same as I get with no jump leads. I even tried a separate set of jump leads to make sure they weren't the issue and I no luck with that set either.

So anyone have any idea what could be wrong with the car and how much i would be looking at to get it fixed?

padma · 29-10-2012 12:00PM

Try this, keep your engine off and the key in the off position and start charging the car for about 5/10 minutes with the donor car ticking over, then after 5/10 minutes turn your key and see if she starts

Recon · 29-10-2012 12:00PM

You might just need a new battery. How old was the battery that died?

Lucifer · 29-10-2012 12:00PM

httpete wrote: »

I left the lights on by accident the other day for several hours and then my car wouldn't start. I tried using jump leads on the battery but no go. They made absolutely zero difference, all I get is a clicking sound, the same as I get with no jump leads. I even tried a separate set of jump leads to make sure they weren't the issue and I no luck with that set either.

So anyone have any idea what could be wrong with the car and how much i would be looking at to get it fixed?

Leave the jump leads connected for longer to charge the dead battery. Try start it after 15 minutes and it should work.

padma · 29-10-2012 12:08PM

oh yeah, then go for a long drive 30/40 minutes, drive it as if she's stolen and you should be grand!!

johnayo · 29-10-2012 12:21PM

httpete wrote: »

I left the lights on by accident the other day for several hours and then my car wouldn't start. I tried using jump leads on the battery but no go. They made absolutely zero difference, all I get is a clicking sound, the same as I get with no jump leads. I even tried a separate set of jump leads to make sure they weren't the issue and I no luck with that set either.

So anyone have any idea what could be wrong with the car and how much i would be looking at to get it fixed?

Could still be dodgy jump leads... Make sure you are making proper contact with connections.

Ronnie Beck · 29-10-2012 01:35PM

Lucifer wrote: »

Leave the jump leads connected for longer to charge the dead battery. Try start it after 15 minutes and it should work.

Do this! Leave the donor car running.

Keith186 · 29-10-2012 01:41PM

padma wrote: »

Try this, keep your engine off and the key in the off position and start charging the car for about 5/10 minutes with the donor car ticking over, then after 5/10 minutes turn your key and see if she starts

I had to do this on my car for 15 minutes to get it to start cos the battery was so dead. Be patient OP!

httpete · 30-10-2012 09:08AM

Well I left the jump leads on it for 15-20 mins last night and it didn't work. It was the same as before, not a kick out of it once I tried to start it, as if I hadn't even had the jump leads on it.

So seeing as that didn't work, anyone have any ideas what could be wrong with it?

kona · 30-10-2012 09:21AM

httpete wrote: »

Well I left the jump leads on it for 15-20 mins last night and it didn't work. It was the same as before, not a kick out of it once I tried to start it, as if I hadn't even had the jump leads on it.

So seeing as that didn't work, anyone have any ideas what could be wrong with it?

Have you the leads hooked up right? You may need to reset the ecu, disconnect the positive for 5 mins and try it again. If that doesnt work, id get the battery tested.

Avns1s · 30-10-2012 09:33AM

Sounds like duff jump leads to me!

You are removing the plastic covers from the terminals before attaching the leads? Just saying because it's unusual that you wouldn't get some additional reaction from the car, even if it didn't start.

Ronnie Beck · 30-10-2012 11:08AM

Get a battery charger and try that or take the battery from another car. Check the connections to the starter motor. It may a problem with the immobilizer.

corktina · 30-10-2012 12:56PM

Ronnie Beck wrote: »

Do this! Leave the donor car running.

rev it too as it might not charge much at idle speed....

johnayo · 30-10-2012 01:10PM

At this stage you will probably have to put a multimeter on it. You should see over 12 volts when you connect across battery terminals. If the battery is flat you will be getting a lower reading than this. Check this again when you connect jump leads and you should see a rise in volts. If not suspect jump leads or not making a good connection. May be worth checking that battery connections are clean and tight.
What make of car is it?

mawk · 30-10-2012 03:49PM

did the battery going low trigger the immobiliser?

Supergurrier · 30-10-2012 09:48PM

padma wrote: »

Try this, keep your engine off and the key in the off position and start charging the car for about 5/10 minutes with the donor car ticking over, then after 5/10 minutes turn your key and see if she starts

This will do it, is your car a vw/skoda/seat/audi ?

If so they are an absolute pig to jump and won't start for ages

Supergurrier · 30-10-2012 09:49PM

Avns1s wrote: »

Sounds like duff jump leads to me!

You are removing the plastic covers from the terminals before attaching the leads? Just saying because it's unusual that you wouldn't get some additional reaction from the car, even if it didn't start.

A good way to know you have a decent connection is to move the positive around abit until you see a small spark, don't do what i did though and put your friends engine bay on fire

CJhaughey · 31-10-2012 08:20AM

Your battery is flat, depending on the age of the battery and how long it has been flat for it may very well be dead.
You need to either charge it with a car battery charger and see if it takes a charge or buy a new one.
Jump starting from another car when its that flat is a waste of time.
Battery chargers are relatively cheap compared to batteries.

httpete · 31-10-2012 06:47PM

Needed a new battery in the end, cheers for the advice.

Car won't start after leaving lights on, jump leads no good

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