Car won't Start

[christian81]

I have the oportunity to buy a nearly new Ford Ka at the bargain price of �2000. The only problem is the car won't start. It has only done just over 5000 miles and is spotless. When the key is turned the dash lights up but when you try to turn it over nothing happens but all the mileage display flickers on and off. I wondered if anybody had any ideas what the problem could be???

[Clanad]

I've become used to the fact that European cars are often different than those in the U.S., but having said that, I would suspect a bad battery.  There's probably just enough life in the battery to turn on the few lights you mention, but not enough to excite the starter solenoid.  An easy check would to be to jump the battery with another.  If it is the case, a simple replacement will get you going...

[twiglet4frog]

for that price i would definately buy it as even if it cost u a few hundred to put right u would be quids in there.

Does sound like a battery if the mileage is flickering a bit.

[Dagman]

Could it be fitted with an immobiliser? If so you may need to open the car using the remote instead of a key to disable it.

[ja66ke]

have you checked to see there is an engine?

[Cockney_si]

Could be an ECU fault which may mean a huge cost to replace it, knowing Ford they would charge the earth.

Unless you know someone that would be able to do a quick fix for you steer clear.

�2000 for a car that has effectively no engine is a waste of money.