Starting problem

[VC10]

Hello

I have had my 2021 Legende since Feb 2023.

I have on 5 times to date encountered the following problem.

The car has always started in the garage.

I have taken the car out of the garage and either parked in the driveway or done a short journey.

When I try to start the car again it won’t start and there is a buzzing noise from the electrical systems and various warning lights flash and warning sounds.

I try to start the car a few more times and the same thing happens or it is dead.

I leave the car for a few more minutes and eventually it starts in a very laboured way as if the battery is flat.

I had wondered if it was a flat battery due to lack of use, but a few weekends ago I drove the car Friday, Saturday and Sunday a total of 250 miles and on the following Tuesday the same thing happened again.

Any idea what the problem is and the remedy?

[7en]

It sounds like battery, but batteries should last around 5 years or more, so if it is it's most likely another issue like alternator.

I'd get it diagnosed by an Alpine dealer then if it is the alternator speak to Alpine UK, as other members here have had them covered under goodwill.

[kitcat7]

I had that problem with my Morgan and the dealer advised cleaning all the earth points. I started on the battery earth strap and + terminal and that seems to have done the trick - so far, touch wood etc.

You might like to give it a try as it won't do any harm and is easy to do?

Do post back if you have success.

[timbo999]

7en said:

It sounds like battery, but batteries should last around 5 years or more, so if it is it's most likely another issue like alternator.

I'd get it diagnosed by an Alpine dealer then if it is the alternator speak to Alpine UK, as other members here have had them covered under goodwill.

A '21 car is still under warranty unless my arithmetic is worse than I thought...

[VC10]

Yes the car is under manufacturer’s warranty for another year and after market warranty for a further 4 years after that

[7en]

timbo999 said:

A '21 car is still under warranty unless my arithmetic is worse than I thought...

Oh yeah, I didn't clock the date and just presumed if it was being asked on a forum it was due to wanting to fix it oneself.

In that case, just getting it in to your local dealer is the best answer really.

[Whaleblue]

VC10 said:

Yes the car is under manufacturer’s warranty for another year and after market warranty for a further 4 years after that

I thought an additional three was the maximum available?

[VC10]

Whaleblue said:

VC10 said:

Yes the car is under manufacturer’s warranty for another year and after market warranty for a further 4 years after that

I thought an additional three was the maximum available?

I think the additional warranty is RAC. I bought it as part of the deal when I bought the car from the dealer

[VC10]

7en said:

timbo999 said:

A '21 car is still under warranty unless my arithmetic is worse than I thought...

Oh yeah, I didn't clock the date and just presumed if it was being asked on a forum it was due to wanting to fix it oneself.

In that case, just getting it in to your local dealer is the best answer really.

Unfortunately I don’t have a local dealer. It will be a long trip to a dealer but I guess that is what I will have to do.

I was asking on here incase there was any quick fix or if others had experienced the same problem

[Martyn P]

Very similar happened with mine a few times. On the last time I called out Alpine assist and the RAC changed the battery under warranty. Since then no problems. See other thread about alternators / fuel pumps and batteries for more information. Don’t get fobbed off as I did, once the car is running the battery seems to pass tests. Seems to be another weak component of the car. My battery was under 2 years old.

[OliffeFox]

Possibly - mine sometimes won’t start but warning lights etc - until I press much harder on brake pedal - just in case this is happening with yours.

[a110au]

I think .. voltage sag while starting
the electronics on the alpine are really sensitive to brownouts and can “boot up” in a confused state if the voltage while the starter motor is on drops below a certain level. This can manifest with warning lights, inability to select D, or a rough idle.

[Sporky]

Mine did similar - it had been in storage for too long and the battery was basically dead. Alpine replaced it under warranty even though it was really my fault - I was completely honest with them.

[Whaleblue]

Sporky said:

Mine did similar - it had been in storage for too long and the battery was basically dead. Alpine replaced it under warranty even though it was really my fault - I was completely honest with them.

How long is “too long” do we think?

[Sporky]

In my case about 18 months, and not on a trickle charger.

[VC10]

Still having this problem and have done nothing about it yet.

I went on holidays and the car hadn’t been driven for 2 weeks and was dead. I started with jump leads from my Alfa Giulia. (I discovered the battery in the Alpine is not easy to get at)

I would like a trickle charger.

Is Ctek the best brand and if so which one in particular should I get?

Thanks

[LE62NDE]

C-tec gets my vote, although I have yet to use it on my Alpine. But it works/worked well on my classic and the SL350 which was the Alpine's predecessor.

[Sporky]

I have a ctek, and I put the charging socket under the bonnet, cut into one of the filler hatches.

Though if it's dying after just two weeks the battery may be deadish.

[VC10]

Thanks. Which Ctek model do you have?

Edited by VC10 on Saturday 29th July 17:47

[LE62NDE]

VC10 said:

Thanks. Which Ctek model do you have?

Edited by VC10 on Saturday 29th July 17:47

MXS 5.O