db7 vantage won't start, any pointers?
Discussion
Hi, go tin my 2001 Vantage on Saturday, inserted the key pressed the button and nothing, well except for a single click. I have checked every fuse, the fuel cut off switch, tried arming and disarming alarm with both sets fo keys and the battery seems fine, the car isn't even trying to start. Does anyone have an idea of what else I should try. I have also posted on amoc but have only had a few responses so please suggest away. Being a computer bod I am tempted to disconnect the battery for a while and see if that makes a difference (the old reboot!)
The only clue I have is two high pitched tones one 3 seconds after turning key to ignition 2 and the other another 5 seconds later.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Pete
The only clue I have is two high pitched tones one 3 seconds after turning key to ignition 2 and the other another 5 seconds later.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Pete
petecowie said:
Hi, go tin my 2001 Vantage on Saturday, inserted the key pressed the button and nothing, well except for a single click. I have checked every fuse, the fuel cut off switch, tried arming and disarming alarm with both sets fo keys and the battery seems fine, the car isn't even trying to start. Does anyone have an idea of what else I should try. I have also posted on amoc but have only had a few responses so please suggest away. Being a computer bod I am tempted to disconnect the battery for a while and see if that makes a difference (the old reboot!)
The only clue I have is two high pitched tones one 3 seconds after turning key to ignition 2 and the other another 5 seconds later.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Pete
Wild stab in the dark but maybe the starter motor is jammed in the starter ring gear, thus providing a click when the solenoid works, but not turning the engine?The only clue I have is two high pitched tones one 3 seconds after turning key to ignition 2 and the other another 5 seconds later.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Pete
You could (at your own risk!!!) try putting the car in first gear and rocking it backwards and forwards. This sometimes frees it off.
Hi,
Have you checked the battery 'off' button? The floor pannel on some cars was too tight arround the 'off' switch which causes the switch to stick in and so doesn't allow the battey to switch on properly.
Try and pop out the 'off' switch from the floor trim so that it can't stick in, and then firmly press the 'on' button at the front of the boot.
Then try and start the car. Fingers crossed it'll be ok.
Have you checked the battery 'off' button? The floor pannel on some cars was too tight arround the 'off' switch which causes the switch to stick in and so doesn't allow the battey to switch on properly.
Try and pop out the 'off' switch from the floor trim so that it can't stick in, and then firmly press the 'on' button at the front of the boot.
Then try and start the car. Fingers crossed it'll be ok.
to be honest I looked for the battery switch and couldn't find it (no doubt it's staring at me) plus I would ahve thought that if the switch was off I would get no electrics at all(?) I plugged in the battery conditioner at 10pm last night when I got home from work and will check it tonight. Out of interest where exactly is the battery switch I have the built in tool box and the battery housing for reference.
Thanks
Pete
Thanks
Pete
petecowie said:
well home work went out and no change where the batter cut off is located (is there definitely one?) ...
Assuming yours is like my '03 DB7 vantage, you lift the boot floor panel. The charger socket is on your right, beyond the disk changer unit. The battery disconnect switch is between the two. Another idea would be to check your battery terminals are really tight. (I had this problem earlier today in my TVR).dashed home from work and bought new battery switched over and exactly the same symptoms, only thing to add now is as I park on a slope (which I am running out of) I have put the car in gear and by dropping the clutch a little and releasing managed to move the car a little whilst in gear, although the car still won;t start the next time I try to start a get a continuous clicking rather than a single click.
Can anyone please suggest what next, do I upgrade my RAC membership and get them out, are they even going to be of any use Or can someone please reccomend someone in the colchester area (Essex/Suffolk border) who would be able to come and have a look..
Once again any help much appreciated
Can anyone please suggest what next, do I upgrade my RAC membership and get them out, are they even going to be of any use Or can someone please reccomend someone in the colchester area (Essex/Suffolk border) who would be able to come and have a look..
Once again any help much appreciated
I'm sure that if you have a battery conditioner plug in your boot you should also have a square battery of button right next to it and your on button is on the front of the plastic floor trim just above the tool kit. There is a plastic cap covering a hole and the on button is behind that.
There is also an issue on early V12 cars to replace the engine 2 piece earth lead for a 1 piece lead. some cars had poor/non start issues due to high resistance in this lead. You can try putting a good jump lead from your alternator bracket to a good earth point, this will improve your earth if you have a dodgy earth lead.
You may also have a loose battery cable on your starter motor, I've also seen this on a few cars. I'ts a bit difficult to get to unless you have the car on a lift.
Hope this helps you out.
There is also an issue on early V12 cars to replace the engine 2 piece earth lead for a 1 piece lead. some cars had poor/non start issues due to high resistance in this lead. You can try putting a good jump lead from your alternator bracket to a good earth point, this will improve your earth if you have a dodgy earth lead.
You may also have a loose battery cable on your starter motor, I've also seen this on a few cars. I'ts a bit difficult to get to unless you have the car on a lift.
Hope this helps you out.
wezzer-45's said:
You may also have a loose battery cable on your starter motor, I've also seen this on a few cars. I'ts a bit difficult to get to unless you have the car on a lift.
Hope this helps you out.
I would bypass the electronics and supply voltage to the cable feeding the starter solenoid (red/white wire on many cars). If the starter turns, the fault is in the control systems/fuses. If the starter does not turn and you know the battery is OK, the fault has to be in the solenoid (which switches in the big current at the starter) or the starter itself. If a cable is run from the battery positive to the large terminal on the starter it will either turn (solenoid faulty) or not (starter faulty). For the little it would cost, maybe AA or RAC at home service would be a cheap solution. They will do the tests I describe. Hope this helps.Hope this helps you out.
Mine did the same a few years back. Sounds like the switch on the clutch pedal is worth investigating. If the switch fails it'll not start. They are £60.06 to buy but solve the problem instantly. I wouldn't try and jump start a 6.0 litre V12 (if it's a vantage), it'll probably not damage it, but it also probably won't work!
jg
jg
Hi Pete.
Just has an ask around at work (I work at an aston dealer)
Do you have an illuminated starter button?? if so when you put your foot on the clutch it should light up.
if you don't to be honest it still sounds like the clutch switch. We have changed a few of these in the past..
unfortunately there's no easy way of testing it.
HTH
Tim.
Just has an ask around at work (I work at an aston dealer)
Do you have an illuminated starter button?? if so when you put your foot on the clutch it should light up.
if you don't to be honest it still sounds like the clutch switch. We have changed a few of these in the past..
unfortunately there's no easy way of testing it.
HTH
Tim.
Edited by mini*drummer on Saturday 3rd November 08:48
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