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        General >> Problems >> 2.9 24v Starting problem
        
(Message started by: Tim_Lusername on Jul 19^th, 2010, 8:46pm)

Title: 2.9 24v Starting problem
Post by Tim_Lusername on Jul 19^th, 2010, 8:46pm

Hi

This is a new one to me......

Last drove the car a couple of days ago and all seemed well.

Just tried to start it and nothing - no engine starty sounds of any kind - nothing :-(

There seems to be battery power. Indicators, seats, fans all flash, move, blow etc

Dials on dashboard flicked then settled. the fuel gauge indicates what looks to be the right level of petrol.

Where on earth do I start looking??????

Thanks for any help on this.

Title: Re: 2.9 24v Starting problem
Post by gozz on Jul 19^th, 2010, 8:53pm

Flat battery.

Title: Re: 2.9 24v Starting problem
Post by Tim_Lusername on Jul 19^th, 2010, 8:59pm

Possibly....well that's what I'm hoping, I just wondered / posted because whenever I've had that problem in the past the relays have always been clicking like crazy, not a sound from them this time.

Thanks for the quick reply - I'll be keeping my fingers crossed!

Title: Re: 2.9 24v Starting problem
Post by PJDavis on Jul 19^th, 2010, 10:12pm

I concur, flat battery. Put all your headlights on and leave them on for a few mins, or do a high voltage discharge test, that will show you. I think the needles flicking tells a story as well doesn't it?

Title: Re: 2.9 24v Starting problem
Post by Mike H on Jul 19^th, 2010, 11:36pm

I believe so, 'least that's what I've personally seen happen when battery is critically low.

Title: Re: 2.9 24v Starting problem
Post by Cosray on Jul 20^th, 2010, 12:16am

Simple test: get your jumpercables out - any Scorpio 24v autobox driver should have those ready, since your vehicle is min. 12 years old by now ;-) - connect another car's battery and turn the key.

Ray

Title: Re: 2.9 24v Starting problem
Post by Simmo on Jul 20^th, 2010, 7:03am

Tim. I agree with the others. What you need to remember is that these cars need a hell of an amount of power to start. There may be enough in the battery to bring on lights etc but not enough to turn the engine over and start. The 'flicking dials' is a sure sign of a problem.

Title: Re: 2.9 24v Starting problem
Post by Mike H on Jul 20^th, 2010, 9:27am

At risk of repeating myself, if the car isn't used often you must keep on top of recharging the battery by other means, e.g. a solar panel trickle charger or put it on a mains charger periodically, it's not like the old cars where once you've turned it off there's nothing using any juice. Unless it's posh and got a clock ;D

Another thing, apart from the starter motor there's the O2 sensor pre-heaters as well, 100 Watts each is it?

Title: Re: 2.9 24v Starting problem
Post by Highlander on Jul 20^th, 2010, 1:45pm

on 07/19/10 at 20:46:20, Tim_Lusername wrote:

Just tried to start it and nothing - no engine starty sounds of any kind - nothing :-(

So no cranking at all? just turn the key and silence?

I'm not going to disagree with the above replies, just offer some other possibilities ;)

Unusual that battery doesnt click some relays etc even if its very low

Flicking dials may just be from a previous instrument reset??

See if a jump start works.

If it doesnt I'd suggest testing the starter inhibitor first before you buy a new battery or do anything else (it may well be an alternator failure, ignition switch, starter, bad earth etc)

try wiggling your selector a bit in Park while trying the starter and also try starting it in Neutral in case its the switch

check relay 11 Starter inhibitor, you can remove the plastic cover and see if its operating and jam the contacts shut with a bit of paper if its not but it could then be started in gear, be careful ;)

http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/images/central_fusebox.gif

possibly a PATS fault? is the PATS light flashing a code?

Title: Re: 2.9 24v Starting problem
Post by Tim_Lusername on Jul 20^th, 2010, 5:18pm

Thanks for all the replies, much appreciated. I have a spare battery on charge so I'll let you know how I get on tomorrow.

Title: Re: 2.9 24v Starting problem
Post by tlundkvi on Jul 20^th, 2010, 5:28pm

... and remember flat batteries are not good for the alternators, if it has seen it's best days this can trigger rectifier problems. I suspect my breaker yard alternator rectifier (in Alternator burning up (http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=Advice;action=display;num=1270196591) thread) went because the garage didn't fully charge the battery. The car battery was then flat and the car had to be towed.