unable to start.

deltic08 · 16th July 2018, 04:00

I tried to start my ZT today without success. In preparation I charged the battery to full whilst disconnected from the car but when trying on the key it just clicked. I disconnected the battery again and cleaned up the terminals and connectors with fine sandpaper and tried again. Just repeated clicks but this time noticed the headlights flash on the wall in front when I tried.. I have had no previous problems before with this one. Can someone advise please. Could it be starter motor stuck or expired?
Many thanks,
Adrian

75Connie · 16th July 2018, 07:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by deltic08

I tried to start my ZT today without success. In preparation I charged the battery to full whilst disconnected from the car but when trying on the key it just clicked. I disconnected the battery again and cleaned up the terminals and connectors with fine sandpaper and tried again. Just repeated clicks but this time noticed the headlights flash on the wall in front when I tried.. I have had no previous problems before with this one. Can someone advise please. Could it be starter motor stuck or expired?
Many thanks,
Adrian

Can you have the battery checked out to ensure it hasnt died?

SD1too · 16th July 2018, 09:45

Adrian; the ‘flashing lights’ symptoms you describe are signs that the battery cannot deliver the current necessary to turn the starter motor, so ...

Quote:

Originally Posted by deltic08

... I charged the battery to full whilst disconnected from the car ...

What type of charger did you use?
For how long did you leave it on charge?
How old is the battery?
Does this car get infrequent use?

Also, I see that you have several ZTs. Can you not borrow a battery from one of the others to help with diagnosis?

Simon

Arctic · 16th July 2018, 09:51

Adrian please also take this link into account By Big Russ.

https://the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/s...d.php?t=106447

deltic08 · 17th July 2018, 01:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by SD1too

Adrian; the ‘flashing lights’ symptoms you describe are signs that the battery cannot deliver the current necessary to turn the starter motor, so ...

What type of charger did you use?
For how long did you leave it on charge?
How old is the battery?
Does this car get infrequent use?

Also, I see that you have several ZTs. Can you not borrow a battery from one of the others to help with diagnosis?

Simon

Yes, the car has not been used since my stroke in February but has been started and run weekly since I came out of hospital and charged if necessary. Will try a new battery in the morning. Thank you for your advice Simon.

deltic08 · 17th July 2018, 01:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arctic

Adrian please also take this link into account By Big Russ.

https://the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/s...d.php?t=106447

When I saw the headlights flashing I stopped trying as I remembered Big Russ. Still wasn't sure why it wouldn't start as the battery was showing fully charged on the charger dial. Trying a nearly new battery from another ZT in the morning. Thank you Arctic for your advice.

deltic08 · 17th July 2018, 01:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by 75Connie

Can you have the battery checked out to ensure it hasnt died?

Trying a nearly new battery tomorrow. Thank you for responding 75Connie.

deltic08 · 17th July 2018, 05:37

Well boys, The thunder storm had passed over, I could not sleep for wondering so I went out at 3 am and swapped batteries. For good measure put it on charge for an hour and tried it. Success it fired up as soon as I turned the key. What a relief. Checking my file it came on a ZT I bought four years ago so is at least four years old. Batteries usually expire on me in winter not summer. Have save up the pennies now for a new battery.
My Freelander is untrapped now and can go off to see why it is under performing. A tricky one. Been to two garages undiagnosed. Now going to an independent 4X4 garage with a good reputation to diagnose and put right. Has been low on power since I hit a sleeping policeman too fast in a hotel car park in the dark in Edinburgh and must have sheared the engine mounting bolts as one side of the engine dropped. The AA fixed it the next day but we limped home all the way to North Yorkshire not going above 50mph as it wouldn't and have hardly used it for eight years.

SD1too · 17th July 2018, 08:34

I'm glad that the crisis is over Adrian. Here are some tips for you to bear in mind for the future.

Quote:

Originally Posted by deltic08

... the car has not been used since my stroke in
February but has been started and run weekly ...

Starting and running the engine at idle is not a good idea. Operating the starter motor takes a lot of charge from the battery which is unlikely to be replenished by idling. It's far better to invest in a smart maintenance charger which can be left connected permanently to keep the battery fully charged. Your ownership of several cars makes this an even more attractive solution. The C-tek range are compact, robust and reasonably priced. I have one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by deltic08

Still wasn't sure why it wouldn't start as the battery was showing fully charged on the charger dial.

A sulphated battery is unable to accept charge and this often results in the charger telling you that the battery is charged when, in fact, its capacity is much diminished.

Simon

planenut · 17th July 2018, 15:20

Good news Adrian.

16th July 2018, 04:00	#1
deltic08 Avid contributor 52 ZT 190 Solar Red. 54 ZT 190 SE Ignition Blue. 54 ZT 190 SE Rio Red. 05 ZT 1.8T Aurora Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Ripon Posts: 232 Thanks: 31 Thanked 44 Times in 27 Posts	unable to start. I tried to start my ZT today without success. In preparation I charged the battery to full whilst disconnected from the car but when trying on the key it just clicked. I disconnected the battery again and cleaned up the terminals and connectors with fine sandpaper and tried again. Just repeated clicks but this time noticed the headlights flash on the wall in front when I tried.. I have had no previous problems before with this one. Can someone advise please. Could it be starter motor stuck or expired? Many thanks, Adrian

16th July 2018, 09:51	#4
Arctic Give to Learn Freelander 2 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: West Midlands Posts: 18,694 Thanks: 1,155 Thanked 6,407 Times in 3,874 Posts	Adrian please also take this link into account By Big Russ. https://the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/s...d.php?t=106447 __________________ Arctic Givology Learn to Give Everything is Achievable ad altiora tendo. Check out our Nano meet dates http://www.midlandsnanomeets.co.uk/ http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/index.php?thepage=howto " You do the work , we supply the expertise "

17th July 2018, 05:37	#8
deltic08 Avid contributor 52 ZT 190 Solar Red. 54 ZT 190 SE Ignition Blue. 54 ZT 190 SE Rio Red. 05 ZT 1.8T Aurora Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Ripon Posts: 232 Thanks: 31 Thanked 44 Times in 27 Posts	unable to start Well boys, The thunder storm had passed over, I could not sleep for wondering so I went out at 3 am and swapped batteries. For good measure put it on charge for an hour and tried it. Success it fired up as soon as I turned the key. What a relief. Checking my file it came on a ZT I bought four years ago so is at least four years old. Batteries usually expire on me in winter not summer. Have save up the pennies now for a new battery. My Freelander is untrapped now and can go off to see why it is under performing. A tricky one. Been to two garages undiagnosed. Now going to an independent 4X4 garage with a good reputation to diagnose and put right. Has been low on power since I hit a sleeping policeman too fast in a hotel car park in the dark in Edinburgh and must have sheared the engine mounting bolts as one side of the engine dropped. The AA fixed it the next day but we limped home all the way to North Yorkshire not going above 50mph as it wouldn't and have hardly used it for eight years. Last edited by deltic08; 17th July 2018 at 05:52..

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17th July 2018, 15:20	#10
planenut Regional Secretary Rover 1.8T Tourer Join Date: May 2007 Location: Heathrow Posts: 6,947 Thanks: 1,551 Thanked 2,036 Times in 1,264 Posts	Good news Adrian.