Trouble starting car

[karenmac60]

I've not been using my car much lately, but on the few times I have it won't start. It's turning over but the engine won't fire up, although I've been able to start it eventually by popping the clutch. I know it is probably the battery, but everything else is ok - lights, radio, wipers etc. When I've had an almost flat battery before the lights have been weak. I also took it out for a long run a couple of nights ago so I would've thought that would have charged it. I've been looking online and found stuff about dodgy sparkplugs causing the car not to start. Given that the car is less than 2 years old and was serviced 10 months ago, how likely is it that it's the sparkplugs? I don't know too much about mechanics, but I'd rather find out the cause and try and sort it myself before shelling out any money. Also, it has been doing this intermittently for a few months when I was using it every day.

[DTCwordfan]

I agree - it doesnt cost a lot to get the spark plugs sorted out....failing that it maybe a distributor issue. A mechanic will quickly advise you - and isnt the car still under warranty?

[karenmac60]

I don't really like driving ginje ;) The car is under warranty, but I'm pretty sure it doesn't include spark plugs (along with tyres, battery etc). I'll need to check.

[gingejbee]

I wouldn't mind betting that the very little use the car gets has some bearing on it's poor starting. Hope it's sorted and not too dear!

[DTCwordfan]

The good news, Karen, is that this is not a big ticket item eve f it results in a bill - the other thing is that you should have it serviced again, being 10 months and, if a new car, that should be still free.

[karenmac60]

It's due a service in July, but it's not free. I'll see how it goes the next wee while and if I have to take it in before the service then I have to take it in. Thanks all x

[Hopkirk]

It probably just needs a good thrashing - I mean being driven hard for a long journey.

It's hardly going to need new spark plugs with 2000 miles on the clock.

[karenmac60]

I will need to give it another long run - it's not easy when you work in the same town you live in ;)

[DTCwordfan]

Agree Hopkirk - but I have seen some amazing soot in fuels resulting from a certai brand not too far from Karen's.......a good burn out I agree with if she has a nice 10 mile stretch to burn up and down on, preferably giving the car some good acceleration.

[Hopkirk]

How do you start a car by 'popping the clutch'?

If you mean you bump started it, that is not advisable these days. It can knacker your catalytic converter, with expensive results.

[TWR]

Hi Karen, phone the dealers & explain what you have said on here, the battery should last at least 3 to 5 yrs, do you do a lot of stop start driving? short runs with all the electrics on, Radio,Wipers, demister, heater lights,? this can take a lot out of the battery especially if you are doing short runs, the energy that you have taken out of the battery has not been put back in, the replacement should not cost you anything only the inconvenience getting to the dealer, when you ring the dealer make sure you have all the info regards the car, just one small point, when the car is running can you see any red lights on the dash? if yes, Alternator. does the engine scream when running, Fan Belt.

[chrissa1]

Surely a 3 year warranty means what it says. If I've had a new car in the past if it wouldn't blooming start it would be down at the dealers sharpish. End of story.

[AlBags]

DT

Cars have not had distributors and points since about 1990.
Belts are not the same either .. they have toothed or poly-V belts .. that rarely slip .. and definitely do not slip at 2000miles.
It needs a good run Karen .. How old is the fuel in it? 2 years old?
It is possible that the battery has become lazy through lack of use. Sometimes can be revived by a long charge after a full discharge.

[ubasses]

Had the same problem with 3 year old car when I retired. As hubbie worked from home I kept taking his out as first out of tandem garage. Had all diagnostics done and battery checked in 3 different places, Eventually got told it is cos all modern cars have so much draining the battery when it is parked in garage if it not driven the battery will keep going flat. Swapped the cars round in the garage and it then happened to hubbies car, proving the diagnosis. You may need new battery if it has been going on a while but then have to keep driving it. Like yours the lights came on and the radio as well just didn;t have enough left to start the car.

[karenmac60]

It's been fine today - I think the main problem was that I couldn't drive it for 3 weeks cos I had sciatica, and the battery had very little power in it. After playing silly buggers with me yesterday it has started fine every time I've used it today. Why is everyone so upset that there's only 2,000 miles on the clock though? I use it when I need to, I'm not going to use it if I don't. What with the price of petrol and giving a damn about the environment, I'm not going to just drive for the hell of it ;) Cheers x

[scotman]

I don't think anyone is upset. I am certainly not;-)

It is a fact that driving cars for lots of short runs to and from work as you indicate you do does tend to make the spark plugs a bit oily and dirty which can lead to poor starting.

[AlBags]

You use it to drive next door then now? : )

[Hopkirk]

I'm not upset that it's only done 2000 miles.

Can I have the car when you have finished with it?

[karenmac60]

It'll be a long time before I get another one - I'm making it last ;)

[Hopkirk]

I bought an old dears eleven year old Fiesta last year - 34,000 on the clock.

It's a great little car, although she had her fair share of car park dinks.

You look a hell of a lot youngr than her though.

[micmak]

Karen, I may be missing the gist but what do you do for a living?