My Gal Won't Start - Any Advice Appreciated

[jim4]

I've searched the forum and found a number of references to starting problems but they didn't seem to match the symptoms I am experiencing at the moment. Any advice gratefully received. Thanks.

 

My Gal is a late 1998 model 2.3 Ghia specification. I used it on Thursday for my normal 40 mile round trip commute to work, didn't on Friday and on Saturday afternoon she wouldn't start. The central locking was working at this time. In key position 1 all the warning lights came on and went out in their normal manner. In key position 2 there was a rapid ticking noise from the engine bay but no sign of the engine firing. As the battery drained, the ticking got slower, and then the central locking stopped working. As it had been pretty cold overnight Friday/Saturday, I decided to charge the battery up and have another go. Removed battery from the car and charged it from Sunday lunchtime to this (Monday) morning.

 

The central locking still doesn't work. When I unlock the drivers door with the key and open the door, the rear interior light starts flashing, the red light in the drivers door starts flashing and there is a clicking sound a bit like when your hazard flashers are on coming from near the steering column. All this stops when I shut the drivers door. ? Immobiliser / relay 30 problem ?

 

The car still doesn't start: In key position 1 all the warning lights come on and goout in their normal manner. In key position 2 there is a rapid ticking noise from the engine bay but no sign of the engine firing. The warning lights for battery and oil remain on and dim slightly. ? not enough charge in battery ? or starter motor not engaging ?

 

Any thoughts appreciated. Thanks very much, Jim

[Andrew T]

Exactly the same as mine did last year when the Battery failed, erratic central locking included. I can also add a bizarre sucking noise from behind the climate control panel. Can you test it by temporarily swapping with a known good battery from another car ?

Not sure if the MK1 2.3 has a Smart Charging Circuit (SCS) and Calcium Battery ? If it does you must replace it with another of the same type, mine was

[jim4]

Thanks Andrew T . I'm going to change the battery and see if that fixes everything else. (I have the radio keycode). Will take the old one with me to make sure that I get the right type (having seen someone else on the forum end up with the wrong one). Appreciate you taking the time to respond. Cheers, Jim

[jim4]

All now okay. Thanks, Jim