110 Td5 '99 Won't start but clicks furiously

[greenextreme]

Hi All,
Earlier today I left the ignition on for 10-15mins [by mistake] then later today went to start the car and the dash lights come on and fuel pump kicks in [as per usual] but when turning the ignition full on there's only fast clicking [from relays] and no cranking of the starter or engine. The main and accessory batteries have charge. All the fuses are OK. Perhaps a faulty relay or damaged starter? Suggestions welcome.
cheers, greenextreme

[Tombie]

Are you certain you have full charge in the main battery?

Thats a common low power reaction from the vehicle.

[spudboy]

It does sound like a low battery. You might want to check your earth strap etc but more likely that your battery is weak.

Try it with some jumper leads from another vehicle. That'll tell you pretty quickly.

[Captain_Rightfoot]

That's exactly what mine does when the battery is flat.

[greenextreme]

Hooked up jumper leads and eventually it cranked over. I am surprised the main battery can get flat so quickly [and jumpers on the 2nd battery wasn't enough to get it firing!!]. Learn something everyday. Thanks for the help. :)

[Tombie]

Hooked up jumper leads and eventually it cranked over. I am surprised the main battery can get flat so quickly [and jumpers on the 2nd battery wasn't enough to get it firing!!]. Learn something everyday. Thanks for the help. :)

Either one or both your batteries are failing..... (or your alternator isnt charging)

They dont go flat that quick unless the battery is dropping a cell, etc...

[Mikes defender]

I had these dramas in my 99 td5 a while ago.. found it to be a combination of things wrong.

The belt was slipping, not enough for me to notice, only under hi load. Bought a replacement belt, then went to change it to find an idler bearing was very not well... The belt for the 99 td5 was a bugger to get.. coz it has aussie air con it had a custom belt. very $$$$

Found the battery's were on there way out...

Found the contacts in the starter motor had worn out.. Brushes and bearings still good. had to order some contacts off ebay.co.uk.. saved heaps of cash... over a new starter.

Replaced ironman battery system with rediarc... sooo much better

Now it starts every really well. only now do i realise how bad it was.. I think i went a bit overboard replacing so much stuff but being my daily driver. i needed to get to work reliably.

Hope this helps...

Mike

[x-box]

Had the same problem with my '99 fender a while back - found it to be the contacts in the starter motor that was worn away, and the gap was too large for the spark to jump. Easy fix - take the contacts out and go to an auto-electrician and get a new pair, and re-install.
You will lose a bit of skin getting the starter motor out though :p