DEAD!! Kind of.

[Flynndog]

As usual my ute has shat itself for some reason.

Here is how it went:

Moved my ute into the garage (5m) to adjust a rear brake retainer clip. Completed.

Checked oil. Ok

Went to start ute, and it began clicking with the dash lights flickering. Tried to turn it over and nothing. Nothing, dash lights on still.

Assumed battery issue. Checked voltage 12.51V. Saw winch had been left on, assumed perhaps it had somehow drained enough not to start the car.

Charged battery put in vehicle. Vehicle starts, runs for 5 mins. I switch off, remove battery to fix battery tray. Take daughter to the park.

Come back several hours later, go to move vehicle. Accessories lights on, etc, go to turn over (LOUD SINGLE CLICK), dead. No lights, nothing. No headlights.

Get out. Check for any shorts. Hear a click.

Get back in, accessories on, lights work. Go to turn over, (LOUD SINGLE CLICK), dead. Again, nothing working.

Just went out now (2151) and tried again. Accessories ok, no lights, clicking sound (click,click,click,click) and glow plug indicator flickering with oil and whatever else is there. Left side dash lights ok.
Battery voltage 12.59/60V.

I am thinking a short in the starter circuit/area OR battery failure, the later more likely.

Any ideas would be great.

 

[user 10312]

Maybe a shorted cell in the bat. Voltage all good till under load then voltage collapse. Load test will reveal all. As far as the battery goes anyway.

 

[gunning1987]

checked the earth on the battery secure?

 

[Dion]

Maybe a shorted cell in the bat. Voltage all good till under load then voltage collapse. Load test will reveal all. As far as the battery goes anyway.

Agreed, smells like a cell down.

 

[equipt]

Sounds almost exactly the same as the issues I had with a faulty earth. Mine was due to a dodgy kill switch. Mine would work fine when I went to the shops, come out 20min later and it would do all sorts of strange things like the click click thing and make the dash lights flicker, I even had the stereo flashing 1/2 on and off even with the key turned off and removed.

 

[Flynndog]

Thanks guys, will try and play with it tomorrow if I get a chance and let you know how it pans out.

 

[ljacko78]

check all terminal connections are done up tight as well. I got caught by that one once (dumb ass)

 

[tony d22]

Its sounds like the solenoid on your starter motor is gone, especially when you said a loud single click.

 

[joshy]

Ive had the same problem, with the clicking and all, more then once, and its always been the battery. Either connections arnt done up 100% or the battery is too low to crank. These things need alot to turn over.

 

[Flynndog]

Checked and cleaned the terminal connections and same result. I am charging the battery again to see if I can get it to start like last time. That will prove the battery is stuffed anyway.

 

[2greedy]

yea i'd be more inclined to say battery,solenoid,or connection

 

[larrymdr]

Used to get this problem on my escort ( CAR ) was the starter motor tap it with a hammer or something heavy and would start . ???

 

[Flynndog]

Guys it appears it is the battery. I got access to another 4wd and swapped out batteries. Started first go. I have ordered a new Red Top Battery

http://www.batteriesdirect.com.au/shop/product/4345/optima-34-.html

Pretty good price too and nice service.

Thanks for the help and hopefully it can help someone else out later on hey!