Cold Starting/ flat battery problems
Discussion
Hi
I have a question re: the starter motor on my Elise (S1 Sport 135).
I'm aware the battery is small, and two weeks without use will flatten it,a nd its been somewhere approaching that time since I used it properly, and cold weather doesn't help etc , but yesterday I went to start it, and there was battery power (enough to operate alarm, lights, fuel pump etc), but when I turned the key to actually start the car, nothing happened. There was a clicking from the top of the engine - inlet manifold I think(Oxygen flow meter??) but no attempt whatsoever to turn the starter over. I checked the starter solenoid and it was fine as far as i could see, all connection onto it were clean etc. I then put the lights on, and tried to start again, and the lights didn't even dim indicating no attempt whatsoever to chrurn the starter!
I charged the battery up, and the car started fine. I didn't move it/ bash the solenoid/ anything else, simply charged the battery
My question therefore is. Is there something within the ECU that is watching for a reduced voltage from the battery, and not telling the starter solenoid to operate if it finds one, or am I looking at the beginnings of a worn starter solenoid, or something else?
Thanks very much for the help
Craig
I have a question re: the starter motor on my Elise (S1 Sport 135).
I'm aware the battery is small, and two weeks without use will flatten it,a nd its been somewhere approaching that time since I used it properly, and cold weather doesn't help etc , but yesterday I went to start it, and there was battery power (enough to operate alarm, lights, fuel pump etc), but when I turned the key to actually start the car, nothing happened. There was a clicking from the top of the engine - inlet manifold I think(Oxygen flow meter??) but no attempt whatsoever to turn the starter over. I checked the starter solenoid and it was fine as far as i could see, all connection onto it were clean etc. I then put the lights on, and tried to start again, and the lights didn't even dim indicating no attempt whatsoever to chrurn the starter!
I charged the battery up, and the car started fine. I didn't move it/ bash the solenoid/ anything else, simply charged the battery
My question therefore is. Is there something within the ECU that is watching for a reduced voltage from the battery, and not telling the starter solenoid to operate if it finds one, or am I looking at the beginnings of a worn starter solenoid, or something else?
Thanks very much for the help
Craig
I don't own an Elise but I've had similar problems with other cars.
One possiblity which I had with the Elan, The battery leads themselves were loose. It would operate the alarm but draw large amounts of power and it died (very odd)
Other: Starting is a gross amount of power needed from the battery, if its just down a little it can cause problems. I don't know about ECU's or whatever but certainly the solonoid on a car I owned would click and do nothing if the power was low.
I know neither of these are that much help with you specific question but I thought they might help a little.
One possiblity which I had with the Elan, The battery leads themselves were loose. It would operate the alarm but draw large amounts of power and it died (very odd)
Other: Starting is a gross amount of power needed from the battery, if its just down a little it can cause problems. I don't know about ECU's or whatever but certainly the solonoid on a car I owned would click and do nothing if the power was low.
I know neither of these are that much help with you specific question but I thought they might help a little.
Most likely the battery charge was too low.
The clicking noise comes from the starter motor solenoid as it attempts to engage the starter gear, when it does so, the battery(weakened state) discharges thru the motor windings and hasnt got enough power to run both the motor and the solenoid. Theres not enough magnetic pull to hold the solenoid, so the solenoid spring pulls it back out and then the cycle starts again.
All happens very quickly.
Next time, put the headlights on, if it clicks and the lights go dim, then the battery is down on charge.
If the lights stay bright and it clicks, its possibly a starter motor fault or a bad connection.
Either way get it sorted before it really lets you down.
Hope this helps.
The clicking noise comes from the starter motor solenoid as it attempts to engage the starter gear, when it does so, the battery(weakened state) discharges thru the motor windings and hasnt got enough power to run both the motor and the solenoid. Theres not enough magnetic pull to hold the solenoid, so the solenoid spring pulls it back out and then the cycle starts again.
All happens very quickly.
Next time, put the headlights on, if it clicks and the lights go dim, then the battery is down on charge.
If the lights stay bright and it clicks, its possibly a starter motor fault or a bad connection.
Either way get it sorted before it really lets you down.
Hope this helps.
What you've described is symptomatic of a low battery, nothing else. I had exactly the same effect when my battery died. Everything worked except the starter motor which didn't even try.
You may need to replace the battery, they don't like being run flat. I replaced mine a year ago and haven't had a single problem since.
You may need to replace the battery, they don't like being run flat. I replaced mine a year ago and haven't had a single problem since.
I'd recommend that you fit the biggest battery (and the best) that you can. I assume the battery in mine (a size 063) is slightly bigger than standard, as I have to remove the trim around the radiator to get it in and out.
If your car is stored indoors, run a trickle charger to the battery permanently. You can just yank it out when you want to drive it, and you'll always have a full charge.
If your battery has been low enough that it won't start, then it's likely going to go flat very quickly in future. With a fresh battery, mine will sit for over a month without a problem.
If your car is stored indoors, run a trickle charger to the battery permanently. You can just yank it out when you want to drive it, and you'll always have a full charge.
If your battery has been low enough that it won't start, then it's likely going to go flat very quickly in future. With a fresh battery, mine will sit for over a month without a problem.
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