I Killed My Car!

[evil_danger]

Finished a double shift today (14 hours work)

Thought, “oh, can’t wait to get home, put my feet up and go to bed” (okay, have a wank might have come into the train of thought).

Got in my car, went to turn the key.

NOTHING!

Dash lights flickered about.

Funny clicking noise & whining death noise.

Went to turn the key again.

DEAD!

Didn’t tick over.

So I had to go back into work, ring my mum to come get me.

The husband of the lady I work for, although he doesn’t speak much English was kind enough to help and tried jump starting it from my mum’s car.

It worked, but even after 15 mins of revving (and a very painful foot) just letting go of the gas the engine died.

Wouldn’t start again when it was unhooked from my mum’s car.

It is the battery, but as my car automatically cuts most of the electrics when the key is out of the ignition. it wasn't my fault.

Apparently someone I know said it could be the alternator, is that a big deal?

I know so little about cars.

My first car is sick, miles from home, I love my car, but its only another thing in a chain of problems its had, mostly little ‘usual’ things, but this makes the 4th BIG thing its had in a year

My insurance, tax and MOT are out next month, should I sell my baby and get a better car?

Well its not that simple cos I don’t have enough money to get a new car.

I need to know what’s wrong clearly, could just need a new battery, in which case I should shut my face up.

But I’m so upset my baby car is sick : (

Say a prayer for my little Fiat punto 75sx with electric windows, central locking and a sun roof that kept me cool in the summer... oh what a summer we had, listening to maroon 5 in the... well pouring English summer rain.

 

[swerve]

It IS either the alternator or battery dude...

Most auto parts stores will CHECK your BATTERY for FREE...

That clicking/whirring sound is your STARTER...

Alternators are fairly inexpensive and can be installed easily...

You're probably looking at a couple of hundred bucks TOTAL...

Sorry to hear about your troubles...

And...

BEST OF LUCK to you...

 

[evil_danger]

"it's cutting out when you lift the foot.... how exactly is it stopping? Does it sound like it's not getting fuel?"

Thanks for your help guys, lucky thing actually, the pub I work, and where the car broke down, is NEXT to a garage, and I'm sure my boss would let me sort that out tomorrow.

Yeah, when I lift my foot off the gas it just... slows down to a stop I guess. Looking at the rev counter it doesn't stop at 1(what ever many units that is) where it normally sits, but drops below that until the engine stops. Like when you take the key out. I guess. Its not stalling, or sputtering or anything, just slows down until a stop.

Alternator apparently I'm looking at 80 quid, but thats a price on the internet and doesn't include labour.

AHH! where do I get the bloody money from!

again guys thanks for you help!

 

[Dillon6962]

Yea it probely the battery I get this all the time being a mechanic people say I tried jumping it off but did not work.
Thing is most cars now days the alternator charges only when needed. Your battery cells are open and the one doing the jumping was probely not reved up enough /rpm to produce enough amps to start your car

 

[star-warrior]

Has it been damp recently? Sometimes the battery shorts out if there's condensation...

 

[levenshulme31]

Yeah, sounds like a dead battery to me.

How long since you had a new one?

Mine died recently after six years. fifty quid for a new one (and a very nice neighbour who put it in for me) and problem solved.

 

[trawler69]

It isn't the battery. If it was then once the car was started it would keep running as he alternator would provide the power. Clearly it isn't doing this. First check the alternator belt (Fan Belt as was) when jump starting it check if the alternator warning light comes on with the ignition and goes out when the engine is running. Sometimes a blown warning light can stop it charging. Check the connections on the back of the alternator as they can sometimes fall off, also check the wire that connects it either to the battery or sometimes to the back of the starter motor.

If it is the alternator you can get a service exchange or get one from a scrapyard. They are pretty easy to fit usually held on by 3 bolts.

Take the battery off and put it on a charger ASAP to save it from being damaged by being run flat, if it hasn't already been damaged.

 

[evil_danger]

Well its in the garage at the moment.

I had a mechanic today saying "its not the alternator, I'm 100% sure its the battery"

So I've got a new battery on the way, which of course, had to be delivered because they don't stock my battery type.

I dunno, I'll soon find out, I just don't wanna pay out all this money for a battery... that it doesn't need then have to shell out more than before for something it needs.

Maybe I should run my car into a ditch.... Wait it's only 3rd party, fire and theft, so I wont get insurance money unless I burn it.

 

[Croynan]

Well its in the garage at the moment.

I had a mechanic today saying "its not the alternator, I'm 100% sure its the battery"

So I've got a new battery on the way, which of course, had to be delivered because they don't stock my battery type.

I dunno, I'll soon find out, I just don't wanna pay out all this money for a battery... that it doesn't need then have to shell out more than before for something it needs.

Maybe I should run my car into a ditch.... Wait it's only 3rd party, fire and theft, so I wont get insurance money unless I burn it.

don't be so pessimistic. let's see what happens with the new battery.

eM.