Still in Trouble

[Tomas]

Well, after the lug broke on my positive cable to the battery terminal, I thought it would be easy just to replace the terminal with a bolt on affair, however,,,,,,,, I've just done that and the bugger still won't turn over!
Each time I turn the key all the lights on dash go out!
It does seem every so often to try and turn engine over, but it's only for a split second and all the lights go out.
I was wondering if the starter cog had got stuck!
Battery is fully charged and only 3 weeks old.

Anyone got a clue?

 

[Midlander]

Did you replace both terminals?....had a similar problem with mine and both terminal connectors were snapped, but wasn't obvious by just looking. So changed them both.

 

[Tomas]

Do you mean both terminals on Positive cable, battery and starter motor?
Or, Positive & Negative?
I just replaced the positive terminal at battery by using a terminal that has a bridge clamp for cable.

 

[clivvy]

still sounds like a break somewhere. Check the connection at the starter end is tight.

 

[Tomas]

Yep, done that.
Just stripped all the insulation/cable tidy stuff from around the cable to Starter motor.
On older cars, you used to be able to short out the solenoid to check whether it was the problem.
I don't think it can be done on a Mav, or can it?

 

[Tomas]

There is power through the cable to the Solenoid

 

[MudLifeCrisis]

Check the earth as well

 

[Tomas]

Yep, all done!
It was all working absolutely fine until the positive cable snapped off at the battery terminal!

 

[Midlander]

Do you mean both terminals on Positive cable, battery and starter motor?
Or, Positive & Negative?
I just replaced the positive terminal at battery by using a terminal that has a bridge clamp for cable.

Yeah...Negative as well, also check the connection to the body and if there is one...the one to the engine as well.

 

[MudLifeCrisis]

Could be ignition barrel. Try turning on and wiggling the key about

 

[darryl]

hi tomas mine done this a few times so i hit the starter motor turned over then

 

[Tomas]

How did you hit it?
It's a right bugger to get at!
I did try that, but couldn't work out how! It's so cramped for space.
I'm in hospital tomorrow for an operation so it'll have to wait a few days anyway!

 

[panelbeater]

my mate has a t2 and had the symptoms you describe,had to tow start to get him home.
on investigating it was the main earth wire to the battery,the soldered lug that clamps on the post was dry and needed cutting of and a new one fitted.
just an idea.

 

[darryl]

How did you hit it?
It's a right bugger to get at!
I did try that, but couldn't work out how! It's so cramped for space.
I'm in hospital tomorrow for an operation so it'll have to wait a few days anyway!

the long part of the jack handle on the side of motor and twatted it with a hammer:thumb2

 

[glanrichbex]

Don't hit it :doh
measure the voltage across the battery , then get someone to turn the key.

When keying - If the voltage is about 13-14 volts and doesn't drop then it's a bad connection. Maybe the earth - or your +ve terminal you've been having trouble with.

If the voltage drops significantly it's more likely to be a duff / non charged battery. If the motor is jammed then it will pull massive current which will dim your dashboard lights but other things like solenoid and cables will get very hot very quickly and smell bad.

Duff starters tend to be open circuit rather than jammed. If it's open then there will not be any real current flowing so this does not exlain the dashboard lights dimming.

I think your alterrnator is not doing its job.

 

[frosty]

I had a car did that, the stater motor jammed had for some reason Try and turn engine over backwards with a socket or if you can put it in 3rd or 4th gear and push it backwards.

 

[Tomas]

Don't hit it :doh
measure the voltage across the battery , then get someone to turn the key.

When keying - If the voltage is about 13-14 volts and doesn't drop then it's a bad connection. Maybe the earth - or your +ve terminal you've been having trouble with.

If the voltage drops significantly it's more likely to be a duff / non charged battery. If the motor is jammed then it will pull massive current which will dim your dashboard lights but other things like solenoid and cables will get very hot very quickly and smell bad.

Duff starters tend to be open circuit rather than jammed. If it's open then there will not be any real current flowing so this does not exlain the dashboard lights dimming.

I think your alterrnator is not doing its job.

Battery is new, 3x weeks and checks out OK.
Wipers and lights all work until turning key then EVERYTHING goes off!

Personally I think its jammed, when it first happened the lug had snapped off during turning the engine over. I think it got to the last of the strands left in cable just as I turned it over and it was enough to break the last few strands.
Everything is tight now, with a new Terminal.
Trouble is, it's gonna have to wait now as my arms in a sling with a big hole in my collar bone from an operation yesterday.
As soon as I'm up to it, I'll take Darryl's advice and give it a knock with a hammer and jacking handle, hopefully it will release.

 

[MudLifeCrisis]

Have you tried the key ? Turn to cranking position and wriggle the key . Reason I say this is cos mine does the same sometimes.

Brian

 

[glanrichbex]

Battery is new, 3x weeks and checks out OK.
Wipers and lights all work until turning key then EVERYTHING goes off!

Personally I think its jammed, when it first happened the lug had snapped off during turning the engine over. I think it got to the last of the strands left in cable just as I turned it over and it was enough to break the last few strands.
Everything is tight now, with a new Terminal.
Trouble is, it's gonna have to wait now as my arms in a sling with a big hole in my collar bone from an operation yesterday.
As soon as I'm up to it, I'll take Darryl's advice and give it a knock with a hammer and jacking handle, hopefully it will release.

Everything goes off because there is an easier path ( less resistance ) through the starter motor and not enough current available for everything so the voltage dropps to a few volts then nothing will work.
I still think your battery is low and not enough oomph to turn her over.
Put the battery on charge overnight and see if it will turn over in the morning.

 

[darryl]

im only ten minutes away if u want a hand:thumb2