Car not starting

[timmy147]

Right,

woke up this morning and my 147 wont start. when i turn the key i just get a single click noise, i have lights and i have radio etc so im guessing its not the battery?

Does any one have any idea's, been told it could possibly be the starter motor?

any help would be grately appreciated!

ps, can any responses be an idiots terms as i no nothing about cars!

[Marko156]

If not the battery, prob starter.....or starter relay (if they exist on alfas???)

[Marko156]

Try bump starting it (push start, in 2nd gear) if it starts then its the starter that's give up!!

[Rockhopper]

Do the head lights dim when you try and start it?

[solpap]

I had this a few months back and it was the battery - the lights would dim when tring to start.

I bump started it, took it for a long run and has been fine ever since.

However, I was later told that bump starting it there is a risk to damage the catalytic converter due to the rich mixture of fuel. I dont know if this is wrong or right though...

[Marko156]

1 bump start shouldn't really do any harm, if your doing it regularly then it'll cause problems......

[alfaspiderboy]

timmy147
If you can borrow a spare battery, try jump leads and your Car will hopefully start. Problem with a low battery on an Alfa is you will probably get an Airbag light fault stay on even after the battery is replaced.
Let us know how you get on.

Rgds asb.

[Marko156]

Originally Posted by alfaspiderboy

timmy147
If you can borrow a spare battery, try jump leads and your Car will hopefully start. Problem with a low battery on an Alfa is you will probably get an Airbag light fault stay on even after the battery is replaced.
Let us know how you get on.

Rgds asb.

I've heard quite a few bad storys about jump starting alfas, people blowing the ECU etc...........

[alfaspiderboy]

Marko156
Personally i feel it is a safer option to use a slave battery as a one off start to check the Cars battery state than to push/tow start a Cat Exhaust Car.
Hope this helps asb.

[Marko156]

ASB
I couldn't agree more if talking about any other car, I've just heard so many horror storys about Alfa's electrics and what jump starting can do to them, but generally I'd always use bump starting as a last resort...

Marko

[rgwm]

Had exactly this problem with our 156 recently....after tow-starting the car I was on the verge of replacing the starter when I suddenly thought....and gave the earth strap to the gearbox a tweak - it moved slightly, and then the car would start. A couple of seconds work with a 13mm spanner and job was right....

So check all earths, carefully....

[timmy147]

Originally Posted by Rockhopper

Do the head lights dim when you try and start it?

Yes they do? Does this mean it is the battery?

[gazza82]

Originally Posted by timmy147

Yes they do? Does this mean it is the battery?

Yes most definitely. Don't forget most don't last more than 3-4 years and this cold weather will show up one on the way out sooner.

[vandal]

if you can compression start it, and your headlamps dim but not all the way when turning the key it is likely your starter solenoid.