help- car won't start

[tanman]

Oh dear, I went to the Elise this afternoon to turn her over (as I cant drive at the moment- broken foot (another story!)) and she started fine, when I looked at the dash I noted the battery light was on. I turned her off and tried to start her again, to which there was nothing, except a bit of a clicking sound then the lights came on. Tried it again and the same thing happened (clicking sound followed by the lights coming on). As I’m a bit useless when it comes to cars, is this the battery or the alternator? I’m leaning more towards the alternator as I know they tend to go at this age (the car is 2 ½ years old), plus it will cost me more than a battery and I’m having a crap year so far. I haven’t driven the car for a week now but have turned her over every two days to ensure the battery doesn’t go flat.
If by chance it is the battery, is there something I should know about when changing it, as a friend who has a mark 1 Elsie said the alarm kept going off when they tried to change theirs.
If anyone can shed some light on my situation I’d be very grateful, additionally how much is a new alternator going to set me back if that is the case?
Thanks guys
Tanman

[pss1]

Now I'm not really sure, but it probably is battery failure. If the car is just turned over and not really driven the battery might have become drained from the numerous start ups. After 2 1/2 years probably better get a new one anyhow, get down to Halfords; they do a four year guarantee on their units.

Hope it is only the battery

[_topcat]

Yo Tanman, what have you done to yourself now!!
The problem is with the battery. Its always happening to a friends S2 elise. he doesnt drive it for weeks on end. A jump start and a good drive sorts things out.
If you can wait for a couple of days i can come over and jump it. I am house bound with man flu at the moment.

TC.

[NJS25]

You'll want a Varta Blue, ring around your local area c.£30.

www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?t=69707&f=15&h=0&hw=battery

Regards, Neil

[tanman]

Thanks guys, it doesn't sound too bad after all. however, why was the battery light on when it was first running? does this not indicate the battery is not charging (ie my thoughts of the alternator)?
Topcat-that will be cool if you can jump start it (and maybe take her for a spin?) i will phone you. What have i done now?- well only topcat knows the first part of the story so i'll tell everyone my war wound story:
I lost part of my little finger and sliced through the nerves on the other 3 fingers flying a kite with the girlfriend (grabbed the line when the misses past me skiing on the back of her feet at 30mph) took my finger straight off. well to make matters worse i banged my stump on the worktop cutting some cheese. I got well eggy and kicked the wall out of frustration (and because it hurt) and broke one of the bones in my foot! in cast of 4 weeks, cant drive and its been sunny
Thanks for the advice
tanman

[S Works]

tanman said:

...well to make matters worse i banged my stump on the worktop cutting some cheese. I got well eggy and kicked the wall out of frustration (and because it hurt) and broke one of the bones in my foot! in cast of 4 weeks, cant drive and its been sunny

sorry mate, hope you get better soon but that really tickled me

First up check the battery independently for charge. If it's knack'd then get a new one as above, but if not then check the relays. Mine did this and one of the relays was fecked. Tim

[francelise]

If you leave your car for a long time and the alarm is armed, your battery will go flat. Before you take battery out/buy another, wait! bump it and take it for a good run (close to home),check it the next day.

[rfoster]

Just before you go out and buy a new battery, worth doing the following. Put the car in a high gear (eg 4th) and then push the car forward and backward a little bit. I have suffered from the same symptoms occasionally and in my case it was a sticky starter motor (the spindle was shooting into the engine but not returning once the starter was disengaged - which is why it wouldn't turn over.) The click you hear when trying to start the vehicle is the starter trying to engage.
Worth trying - and it doesn't cost you a penny either way.
Good luck,
Richard

[tanman]

Bollocks, had the RAC out this morning and confirmed it was the alternator. oh great, more money to dish out. still looking at the postitive side, the money i save on not buying petrol can go towards the new alternator. (if i don't laugh i'll ).
Tanman