Starting problem

Author
Discussion

mycool

Original Poster:

278 posts

209 months

Tuesday 25th March 2008
quotequote all
I've been having trouble starting my 1.8 mk1 recently and now its finally stopped starting all together....

I ran the battery down after leaving the side lights on and although the battery charged up ok, the car seems to struggle to start - almost as it there isn't enough oooomph in the battery to crank the starter motor fast enough.

The starter moter turns over slowly and then enventually goes fast enough to fire the engine. Problem is the other day it wouldn't fire at all. I tried attaching jump leads to test if it was the battery but still same problem.

This is all very upsetting especially given the recent snow as i've missed out on a lot of fun!

Is the starter moter knackered and how hard are they to fit and how expensive?

Any help / advice appreciated.

DennisTheMenace

15,605 posts

275 months

Tuesday 25th March 2008
quotequote all
Have you tried another battery ? what batt has it got fitted ? if its a gel mat battery ie westco it takes 5 days to fully charge them on a trickle charge , if the car was doing everything right before you let the battery go flat i would start there smile

redgriff500

27,675 posts

270 months

Saturday 29th March 2008
quotequote all
Get a new battery.

I've always found acid ones fine, old mini ones are the right size, around £40.

MX-5 Lazza

7,954 posts

226 months

Saturday 29th March 2008
quotequote all
No, don't get an acid battery. They are cheaper but they vent into the boot and cause corrosion. On top of that a glass-mat/gel battery like the one MX5Parts sell has a much higher cranking power and will give better starting and also better running as you will get a better spark. Mazda fitted gel batteries for a very good reason!

redgriff500

27,675 posts

270 months

Saturday 29th March 2008
quotequote all
Fitted acid ones in my MX5 9 years ago...

no problems yet.


mycool

Original Poster:

278 posts

209 months

Monday 31st March 2008
quotequote all
I gave the battery a good charge overnight and its solved the problem.

The battery fitted is a Bosch acid battery and noew its charged works fine.

NiceCupOfTea

25,313 posts

258 months

Monday 31st March 2008
quotequote all
I agree about not using acid batteries.

My car came with one - there is a lot of corrosion on the boot (sort of white dusty stuff) and it doesn't fit properly.

As a result of it moving around the earth strap broke 10 days ago leaving me stranded in the rain grumpy

Westco one on MX5parts is going to replace mine when I have means to store/condition the old one for emergencies.

redgriff500

27,675 posts

270 months

Monday 31st March 2008
quotequote all
I'd agree not to fit one that doesn't fit !

Fortunately plenty of cheap acid ones do.