Help on 1.8 needed!

[emzey01]

Hi,

I wonder if anyone can help me.  My car conked out today and i thought the battery had gone flat.  When we connected the jump leads it still didnt charge it and there was a clicking sound coming from the relays.  We then took the earth lead and connected it to an earthing point on the car and tried starting it with that way and it started.  Now everytime i want to start the car i need to connect the jump lead.  We orignially thought only one of the relays was clicking but i have know found that all of them are clicking.  Could it be any of the following relays gone faulty or is it wiring somewhere? The relays i have are 72(Rear window/Wiper), 18(load reduction), 21(Emergency flasher), 99 (Washer/Wiper) and 167 (Fuel or glow plug).

Any help would be greatly appreciated!! I know a far bit about cars but electrics is one of the bits i dont know!!

[Grim_Reaper]

is your battery even holding charge for starters?

[emzey01]

Yes the battery is holding its charge ok.

[VW BUSH]

Sounds to me like your battery is proper dead.
Does your altenator actualy charge the battery, is there power coming in?.
Dont think you have a relay problem, have you got a good battery to swap onto it? i would start there first

[emzey01]

The batteries a new battery and is fully charged. We think it maybe a relay problem but im not 100% sure as it could be wiring somewhere thats the problem.

[VW BUSH]

If the car runs after a jump then you know that the electrics are working.
Maybe you have a poor conection/earth on the starter or battery, combined with a weak battery.
How have you checked the battery for charge?

[ianw3321]

Yes as aboive im an auto electrician there should be a heavy earth lead that goes from the battery tray to the engine. take it off clean, rub with emery and reconnect making sure its tidht.

[VW BUSH]

The batteries a new battery and is fully charged. We think it maybe a relay problem but im not 100% sure as it could be wiring somewhere thats the problem.

Check your terminal conections, high resistance from a poor conection can give you all sorts of probs.
If you get flat battery/poor connection you get all sorts of clicking as the electric system will not be functioning correctly.
If you have just fitted the new battery you may have disturbed a crumbly connection.
If so you wont be charging it properly and could frag the battery and alternator

[ianw3321]

It will be the solinoid on the starter he hears clicking. When he puts the jump lead directly onto the engine he is bypassing that earth lead that I mentioned

[VW BUSH]

It will be the solinoid on the starter he hears clicking. When he puts the jump lead directly onto the engine he is bypassing that earth lead that I mentioned

you got it buddy, wont be charging either if the lead is fragged