Car won't start. Electrics issue?

[jamie_pyrite]

Well this looks like the first major problem with the mk3 since I got it! '96 1.9 tdi golf GL. It has a Conlog alarm fitted, don't know the exact model though.

Basically went to start it today, central locking wasn't working. Thought that was strange so I used the key. Nothing showing on the clocks at all as even if the battery was low, it'd still show the time. The car hasn't been driven since Friday I think (6 days ago).

So I got my mate to jump start me. Connected it up to his car, turned the ignition on and tried to start it. All I heard was a load of really fast clicks like from a relay (starter relay?) then it stopped and the alarm start making funny noises. So tried this a few times and it just did the same.

Most of the time, the interior light and the dashboard lights were incredibly dim. Maybe once or twice they actually showed properly.

Made sure I was using a good ground for jumping the car too.

After this, if a car door wasn't open, the alarm would either start making stupid noises that sounded like farm animals.. occasionally it actually sounded like an alarm but once a door was opened this would stop.



So, any ideas? I've just disconnected the battery for now to stop it randomly going off. Could it be that the battery is completely dead and would require charging first? Or would that not make a difference as it was being jump started from another car?


Thanks in advance!

[rubjonny]

try another battery, if its really dead you wont even be able to jump the car

[jamie_pyrite]

try another battery, if its really dead you wont even be able to jump the car

Righteo Am I safe to borrow the battery out of my mate's 9n2 polo just for testing? Or is there a risk that a short or something could have caused the battery to die (if that is what the problem is..)


Also, if it still doesn't work with another battery, where would you advising proceeding with in terms of diagnostics?

[AdamR]

I had a VERY similar issue with my car (clicking, dim lights, weird alarm), except it would start from jumping. What's the voltage measuring when the car is turned off? (If you have a multimeter)

Mine was around 12.2 when it wouldn't start, gave the battery a good charge and it seems to sit around 12.6 now, starts first time

[rubjonny]

yeah i recon your mates battery would be fine, but main thing is check if his stereo has a code or something, if it does id not risk it. my mother-in-laws leon had a dead battery and no matter what we did the bloody thing wouldnt except the code from the service book, binned it and went with aftermarket stereo in the end

[jamie_pyrite]

Yeah I don't want to risk it then! So I've checked the battery and it's sat at 6.6V - not good! Now I'm unsure whether it just needs a good charge or if it needs a new battery! Seems I'm looking at about £40 for a half decent battery charger.. and a bit more for a new battery!

Hmmm.. day off work tomorrow so I can have a tinker, but the closest Halfords or tool shop is miles away!


If I were to connect my friend's car to jump mine, then left his running.. would this charge my battery? Or does it simply provide current for if you try to start the car? I'm thinking I could leave his car running while attached to mine for 15 minutes?

[AdamR]

I did some reading up the other day (I had the same quandry as you - new battery or get a charger!) and apparently the alternator supply (and thus someone else's car jump starting yours as well) isn't really designed to charge a battery, just top up whatever you might use while driving (lights, fans etc)... Someone please correct me if I'm wrong though!

I would hazard a guess, since your car was ok fairly recently and the battery voltage has dropped off so much so quickly, that the battery is toast (although again I'm just working with a bit of logic, not much experience!) and wouldn't be resurrected by charging it...