Audi80 not starting - PLEASE HELP!!!

leggy · 02-02-15, 12:48 PM

WT *bleep* - previous thread vanished???

[Take two] Problems today starting my car (1992 Audi80 2L petrol): won't start, was very cold overnight, and this is not the first time it's happened.

Various repairs/checks carried out in recent months/years (not listing them all again!), starter motor clicking (3rd s/motor in 14mths), battery showing green 'ok' light (purchased Nov 2013), jump start hasn't worked previously but bumping has - looking for ideas of cause please?

Suggestions up until now: battery, battery earth, s/motor connection, wrong s/motor...I also asked if cold valve sensor a possibility? (no response as yet.)

leggy · 02-02-15, 01:20 PM

Just tried to start it again now that the frost has cleared and temperature increased slightly; s/motor still clicking, wiggled the battery terminal wires a bit, battery green 'ok' light status hasn't changed, but when I tried the windows/wipers this time they were incredibly slow suggesting not enough power. Don't have a battery charger, nor anyone to help try n jump/bump start it atm, all very frustrating, was fine on Friday?!

Flying Frank · 02-02-15, 02:00 PM

If you can wiggle the battery terminals they are not on tight enough...no wiggling!! I really think it sounds like a battery issue but as I said before I'm no expert. Next Christmas ask Father Christmas for a GOOD (heavy duty ) set of jump leads and a battery charger , both good investments.

John. · 02-02-15, 02:09 PM

What did happen to the other thread??

It just sounds like the battery is discharged (for whatever reason) judging by your description of wipers' being slow.
Lidl had a charger on their shelves recently, just 13 quid and well worth it.

That "green battery light" is actually a disc that floats in the electrolyte, if good it's at the top and gives the impression that it's a light.

Do I need to come down there and jump you!!

Flying Frank · 02-02-15, 02:30 PM

better get back to those trees John!!

leggy · 02-02-15, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flying Frank

If you can wiggle the battery terminals they are not on tight enough...no wiggling!! I really think it sounds like a battery issue but as I said before I'm no expert. Next Christmas ask Father Christmas for a GOOD (heavy duty ) set of jump leads and a battery charger , both good investments.

Well, I say wiggle, but terminal bolts are solid, so just tried jiggling with the wires really to see if they were okay, dunno why, but anything worth a try atm.

Oh, and I've got two sets of jump leads (one cheapy crap set, the other decent hd), just the charger that santa was in short supply of last crimbo.

leggy · 02-02-15, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John.

What did happen to the other thread??

It just sounds like the battery is discharged (for whatever reason) judging by your description of wipers' being slow.
Lidl had a charger on their shelves recently, just 13 quid and well worth it.

That "green battery light" is actually a disc that floats in the electrolyte, if good it's at the top and gives the impression that it's a light.

Do I need to come down there and jump you!!

No idea...got a database error when I hit send, then thread vanished completely, odd.

Cant get to lidl, nor anywhere else for that matter.
Green light defo showing at top suggesting good, but with wipers etc being slow, well maybe the batteries faulty now too, idk.

Be a long drive for you, but I'll gladly show you my yellow plastic thing, if you show me yours

cjp0349 · 02-02-15, 04:53 PM

Again no expert but starter motor clicking is usually a sure sign of not enough power in battery. Cold weather can play havoc with a battery but it shouldn't be going flat over a weekend. Tried to fire the T4 up this morning as it had not been out for a couple of weeks or so and needed a run. Got nothing more than starter clicks but it eventually started with a jump.

If bought Nov 13 is the battery not still under a guarantee? Some batteries have a 2 or even 3 year guarantee.

cjp0349 · 02-02-15, 04:56 PM

I have just got several 'database error' responses when trying to post my last. Eventually found the message had been posted without my realising

Are the batteries going flat?

John. · 02-02-15, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leggy

just the charger that santa was in short supply of last crimbo.

Santa does AA membership?!

02-02-15, 04:56 PM	#9
cjp0349 Senior Member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Lune Valley, North Lancashire Posts: 1,744	I have just got several 'database error' responses when trying to post my last. Eventually found the message had been posted without my realising Are the batteries going flat? Last edited by cjp0349; 02-02-15 at 05:05 PM.

02-02-15, 01:20 PM	#2
leggy Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 1,650	Just tried to start it again now that the frost has cleared and temperature increased slightly; s/motor still clicking, wiggled the battery terminal wires a bit, battery green 'ok' light status hasn't changed, but when I tried the windows/wipers this time they were incredibly slow suggesting not enough power. Don't have a battery charger, nor anyone to help try n jump/bump start it atm, all very frustrating, was fine on Friday?!

02-02-15, 02:00 PM	#3
Flying Frank 4 ring whore! Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Kernow, Gods own county !! Posts: 2,388	If you can wiggle the battery terminals they are not on tight enough...no wiggling!! I really think it sounds like a battery issue but as I said before I'm no expert. Next Christmas ask Father Christmas for a GOOD (heavy duty ) set of jump leads and a battery charger , both good investments.

02-02-15, 02:09 PM	#4
John. 4 ring whore! Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Scottish Borders. Posts: 7,540	What did happen to the other thread?? It just sounds like the battery is discharged (for whatever reason) judging by your description of wipers' being slow. Lidl had a charger on their shelves recently, just 13 quid and well worth it. That "green battery light" is actually a disc that floats in the electrolyte, if good it's at the top and gives the impression that it's a light. Do I need to come down there and jump you!!

02-02-15, 02:30 PM	#5
Flying Frank 4 ring whore! Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Kernow, Gods own county !! Posts: 2,388	better get back to those trees John!!

02-02-15, 04:53 PM	#8
cjp0349 Senior Member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Lune Valley, North Lancashire Posts: 1,744	Again no expert but starter motor clicking is usually a sure sign of not enough power in battery. Cold weather can play havoc with a battery but it shouldn't be going flat over a weekend. Tried to fire the T4 up this morning as it had not been out for a couple of weeks or so and needed a run. Got nothing more than starter clicks but it eventually started with a jump. If bought Nov 13 is the battery not still under a guarantee? Some batteries have a 2 or even 3 year guarantee.