Car does nothing when i turn the key!?

[ibiza64]

Hey guys really need your help, ive just gone to start the car and it wont! central locking didnt work then i put the key in the ignition, no lights came on, petrol gauge didnt move and the clock and mileage arent displyed. when i turn the key fully - literally nothing happens. it wont even turn over. help!? have checked battery terminals are connected but i dont know what else to do. is this just a dead battery? its a 2002 1.2 if that helps>

hope you can help!!

thank you

Gaz

 

[Crafoo]

Sounds like the imobiliser hasn't been disarmed properly, batteries in the key maybe want replacing?

 

[JasonD]

Can you try the battery from a parent/sibling/friends car?

 

[Viking]

That's a dead battery there by the sound of things. Did you leave lights on or something like that?

 

[lawrieIbizaMk4]

yeah sounds like a dead battery indeed! if you get a jump and it starts, run it for half an hour or so and let the alternator do its thang! if it still dies after that then its a new battery needed mate

 

[Guinness]

Sounds like a dead battery, try turning the interior light on or checking the clocks!

 

[BigWill]

I'm getting something like this. Turn on the ignition and all of the instruments turn off (mileage as well)... what I do is open up the bonnet and whack the battery cover then it all comes on again... is this a loose connection or a dud battery as well???

 

[VWscooby]

Mine was doing this, it was a poor battery connection.

There is a plate under the top of the plastic battery cover that needs to be touching the battery or the car just dies when you turn the key. Make sure it is properly clipped shut and you should have no more problems (Assuming your battery isn't totally FUBARed!)

 

[Nath.]

I'm getting something like this. Turn on the ignition and all of the instruments turn off (mileage as well)... what I do is open up the bonnet and whack the battery cover then it all comes on again... is this a loose connection or a dud battery as well???

Yours sounds like a loose battery connection mate.

 

[BigWill]

Ah that sounds about right one of the clips of the battery cover has snapped off....
And kwik-fit tried to slap with a new battery straight away without even checking that..... know where they can go

 

[VWscooby]

Kwik Fit are being investigated by Watchdog for things like this, robbing swines!!

The tabs on mine broke too so a little bit of tape and its all good now

 

[Copey]

Mine does the same somtimes, if i mess with a while under the bonnet it usually starts first go, cleaned up all my connection son the battery and tightened everything today, so hopefully will be a little better.

 

[AnthFTW]

The best way to test for a dud battery is to check the voltage acrros the terminals with a volt meter. You should get about 13v if you don't this could also indicate a broken alternator so don't just buy a new battery and expect it to be fine

 

[Guinness]

Im sure it should be 14v when running or 12v when not, as for the alternator you would imagine that some warning would have been given before the alternator failed. such as the electrics shutting down.

It could be that it died coming into park but it would still try and turn over or have something if this was the case. Unless it was blidningly obvious the alternator was goosed whilst driving that is.

 

[Nath.]

The best way to test for a dud battery is to check the voltage acrros the terminals with a volt meter. You should get about 13v if you don't this could also indicate a broken alternator so don't just buy a new battery and expect it to be fine

As Guinness said, you should be getting 14v when on tickover and 12 with the key out. 13v with the engine ticking over sounds a bit low to me. Also it's worth saying that more than 14v when ticking over is also bad, this can coock your battery.

 

[BigWill]

Voltmeter in the car says 12 at stand and bang on 14 when on so it doesn't sound like an issue with that.... need to get this sorted soon, its started to really get to me now

 

[BigWill]

Got it sorted, it was because there wasn't any bolt on the negative terminal, must of come off when I disconnected it for the sub removal. my preferred garage has done a temp fix by sticking a pin in the terminal to keep it tight, ordered a new bit from seat. And to say again kwik-fit tried to stick me with a new battery instantly without even checking the terminals......