My car will not start- help please

[bobbie22]

Hi. I broke my wrist a month ago,and as I cannot drive at the moment, my car is in the garage. I went in just to start it up earlier, and it would not start. I did this last week and it was OK. What do you think I should do, and what do you think is wrong.? Any suggestions would be appreciated. ( I have at least another two weeks in plaster, so I will not be driving anywhere for a while)

[moonraker558]

Flat battery? did you leave anything on?

[bobbie22]

No, I dont think so moonraker

[moonraker558]

Does the engine turn over when you try to start it?

[bobbie22]

Yes it turned over but did not start

[bobbie22]

after it turned over it just stopped making the turnover sound (if you know what i mean)

[JonnyBoy12]

Can I ask how you injured your wrist?

[moonraker558]

In that case it sounds like your battery is nearly flat and will need to be charged up again.

[bobbie22]

I tripped over the shelf of my car which I had removed to put the back seats down in order to take rubbish to the tip, I actually took the rubbish there. When i got home I realised how much pain I was in.

[jno]

might just be dirty connections to the battery lead

[archeraddict]

With all the modern electrics, batteries can go flat quickly if not used. If it turned over once and then started to slow down or just stop, most likely battery.

Could someone help you to take the battery off and charge it so that it is ready for when you are fit again?

[bobbie22]

Moonraker, I am in the AA, and I have got homestart. Do you think they would do this for me? If you think its the battery, will that be ok?

[ubasses]

It could still be the battery, had a problem a couple of years ago. When charged would last for a while but if not used went flat again. After having it tested I was told that there are so many things on modern cars that drain the battery when parked up. May be best to leave it until just about to use it again before charging up.

[moonraker558]

Bobbie , yes they will come to you and sort it out, but don't be conned into buying a new battery if it was ok when you parked it up last.

[jno]

yes, that's what Homestart is for. If your battery's failed, they will even sell you a new one (and fit it). Probably wouldn't hurt to wait until you need to use it, or a day eariler.

[bobbie22]

Thanks all of you for the great help x As suggested, I will wait until I can drive again until i charge the battery. I was rather hoping to drive out of the garage to a brass band when my plaster is off. Never mind, i will have to settle for a skiffle group.

[bobbie22]

I think I have got a battery charger, but do you need another car nearby to do that?

[bobbie22]

Oops, its not a battery charger, I think I have jump leads

[jno]

no - you can start from another car via battery leads, but a battery charger should just charge your battery, same as a little one charges camera batteries

[joeluke]

Best not to continue trying to start a car if it's turning over slowly and then stops, in my early days of motoring I once did this and my starter motor stuck!