Hi all,

Just joined, Looking for some advice regarding my wifes MK 1 Focus.

 

A week or so ago we took a trip to the supermarket. Everything was fine, got back to the car and it would not start, just made a clicking noise when turning key.

Got some jump leads and it still would not fire up. In the end we bump started it. Drove about 9 miles tested the battery and it was fully charged?

 

I am guessing it must be another problem and not the battery?

 

It has since done it again today. Could it be related to the cold weather or maybe a bad connection somewhere?

 

Thanks for your help

Karl

how did you test the battery? unless you apply a load to it you can really test it, checking volts is a start but can often be misleading.

From your description it doesn't sound likes its even turning over so If a jump didn't start it then either A, you didn't do it right, or B the starter wasn't doing its job.

you got it going by pushing it which is essentially what the starter motor does anyway, so based on the limited info you have given, id be looking at that starter motor or wiring to it. checking fuses and relays where appropriate.

 

Hiya, Just with a cheap battery voltage tester. The jump was done correctly but made no difference. IT makes a constant  clicking noise when trying to start.

 

It is also strange how it has been fine for 2 weeks and the issue has some back today.

 

Thanks

Karl

I don't know if it applies to cars today but my old (1968) Escort did this, that was a bad solenoid.

starter motors can have an intermittent fault like this. Even if the solenoid is ok, it can be the carbon brushes on the commutator (inside the starter motor). The starter motor can stop in a position where the carbon brushes are not making good contact with the commutator, but vibration / a sharp tap on the stater motor can be enough to cause the carbon brushes to make good contact again. I had a car that did this and a sharp tap on the side of the starter motor with a long spanner usually made it work. Bit inconvenient and depends on the space around the starter motor.

Not many people take start motor apart now. In the past I would replace carbon brushes or recut the commutator depending on the fault:

 

In the following pic (the insides of a starter motor) the solenoid is the top part, the carbon brushes/commutator lower left

 

Had same problem two nights ago with same symptoms. Did you leave it connected to other battery for 5 minutes or so? I did and it started up.

Anyway, had battery tested properly the next day and a cell is 'dying'. Battery at 58%, 'but the meter said it wasn't serviceable'. The guy says it would be okay but if I sat there with lights on for 10 minutes (not running car), it would run flat again.

Anyway I now have a new battery with 5 year warranty,  but £100 less in my bank account!!

Every Escort I ever owned had this! dry spot on the starter motor windings.

Smack it with a brick, rock it in second gear or replace. It may not happen again for years or could happen every day it depends where the starter motor comes to a stop.