Start up probs

[jp_1]

Hi guys
First post and asking for your help!

Used my K11 for the first time in two weeks and on starting the starter motor just slowly dies.
Is this a battery prob? All the electrics are fine.

I'm a complete novice with this stuff!:blush:

I've done a search but can't find it in other posts.

Cheers

 

[sonic]

its just because its been left standing, you could probably do with a new battery if its flat after a fortnights inactivity.

 

[jp_1]

I thought it might be that as well. so i took it for an hours drive and stopped for some shopping. I got back and the same prob again. turn the ignition key and the starter motor just dies in about 10 secs max!!...Try again same prob...wait a little and try again and it springs to life. All elecs off and clutch down whilst trying.

the number of times i have to turn the car over varies before it fires up (max so far today 4 times before success)

 

[ollie240585]

Sounds like a very similar problem to what my escort had, that just needed a new starter motor. It would jump start fine as it just gave it some extra power to turn the motor. Also it would get warm on journeys and not start again until the starter motor had cooled down. That was also due to a dodgy ford design of having the starter motor next to the manifold....dir!!!

I would suggest a new battery. And a new starter motor. By your description I am almost certain it is one of these 2 things.

 

[Gurpreet]

http://www.micra.org.uk/t12382-what-went-wrong-car-didnt-start.html

^More ideas in that thread - battery wise

Otherwise it could range from:
Starter motor, water or damp etc. in the distributor etc... get the Holts Water Dispersent out I say... make sure HT leads are clean, Sparks are decent... sounds like the battery though but as it has always been said on here: "I cannot confirm as the car is not infront of me."

Micras just have rubbish starter motors which can suffer in the cold sometimes... to confirm it is the battery... do the checks and try it with a friends battery if you can... if you know a mechanic with a traders card then hire the Diagnostic Computer for £50 and see what it says...

 

[GazzaK]

It's the battery. Had the exact same thing with my wifes old escort last winter. As the temperature drops now, problem batteries suddenly show up. We changed the battery on her escort for a new max power type thing and it's not skipped a beat since.