I need some help here guys

Rossi · Post by **Rossi** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 9:47 pm

OK now I know my way round bike engines but automatic cars are a farkin mystery to me....

I had to go and tow the young lad home tonight as the bast*rd wouldnt start, not turning over at all and true to form - middle lane of a busy road, why don't these things shit themselves at the side of the road like any decent machine should ?
So if any of you fine mechanical people are looking for something to do for 1/2 an hour your help would be much appreciated

Smitty · Post by **Smitty** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 9:58 pm

Rossi

having 2 youngsters who have cars that stop............

now
how is the battery..? turn lights on and see if they dull when you turn the key
if the starter motor is not kicking, the battery is the first thing, then check 2 things-
the FUSIBLE link..big fuse between battery and rest of electrics
if it melts coz of an overlaod..no lectrics
and
the starter motor..is it clicking when you turn the key?
if not..no pwer to the starter

next
an auto you say?
they have a safety switch in the gear lever
if NOT in Park or Neutral..means no start..nup nothing
and sometimes the switch dies...needs an auto sparkie to swap it
for a newie

btw
what sort of car are we talking here?
late model (with lectric fuel pump?)
when you turn the key can you should hear the fuel pump?
stick ya head under the car rear..its a hum

finally..does it have petrol (yeah I AM SERIOUS)

couple of things there mate

hth

cheers

Rossi · Post by **Rossi** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 10:29 pm

Too bloody dark to see properly tonight so I'll get the lad to the train station in the morning and have a squiz at it tomorrow after work - oh and mend the dishwasher which has decided to play up too ( at least thats in the kitchen and not in the middle of the road

)
Looks like December is going to be my month

Adel · Post by **Adel** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 10:47 pm

how is the battery..? turn lights on and see if they dull when you turn the key
if the starter motor is not kicking, the battery is the first thing,

yea I agree with smithy but also check if terminals are clean and tight

Rossi · Post by **Rossi** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 11:33 pm

Well sitting here now covered in shit

Thought I'd check the obvious.....no water in the rad so mebbe he's seized it ? Took the jump leads wiv me but no joy that's why I towed him home ( made the little bugger go and buy a tow rope from the garage too)
Topped the rad up with water and have left it cooling down and it now tries to turn over but the battery is flat from having the hazard / headlights on seeing as it was in the middle of the carriageway. Just put it onto charge and will see what it's like at 5 in the morning ...........probably be in a better state thanme at that time

Smitty you ought to know I couldn't tell what type of car it is from a horses arse

Its a little blue one with a wheel in each corner does that help ??

Next on the list is the bleeding dishwasher..........400 screws and thats just to get the side panel off !!

Post by **icebreaker** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 6:08 am

No water... Check the oil too..

Sounds like a chicks car

Daisy · Post by **Daisy** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 6:39 am

Dan wrote:No water... Check the oil too..

Sounds like a chicks car

Not this chick!

mfzx6r · Post by **mfzx6r** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 9:46 am

How's it going Rossi ? I'd check the oil too as Dan said.

sounds fooked to me. Give me a ring if you need help

Smitty · Post by **Smitty** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 11:55 am

Rossi wrote:Next on the list is the bleeding dishwasher..........400 screws and thats just to get the side panel off !!

dishwashers are easy mate....
they just need water and power
and they work..or not
If not..buy new one

cars?
mate, read me the badge...
and ring me, gotta start somewhere

cheers

Burky · Post by **Burky** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 12:35 pm

Dan wrote:No water... Check the oil too..

Just so long as it doesn't look like a caramel Sunday may be ok

Stereo · Post by **Stereo** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 3:05 pm

I know I am not very good with engines and stuff....

but I would check the fuses..... (is that a dumb thing to say?)...

Although my gut says its the "not starty switch" in the levery thing that makes the car go forward and backward...

Smitty · Post by **Smitty** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 4:00 pm

seems like we need some simple rules

the internal combustion engine needs 3 things
...to move your pride and joy(either 2 wheels or 4)

FUEL
.....some of it (there is some in the tank?)
and is it getting to the engine? (fuel pump working?)

LECTRICITY
......has the vehicle got some? (that is ..is the battery OK and not stuffed)
and is it getting to the engine? TWICE
once to start it (to the starter motor) and is the safety switch stopping it
and
then to keep it running (to the ignition system..which must be in good nick)

COMPRESSION
coz without it the engine will not run, so
has the engine got some...??
check the car has not got milky coolant
nor has the engine oil got water in it
you do need a compression gauge to check this (cheap at Supercheap)
btw
no coolant is not good becoz an engine might start ( with compression)
but it will not last long without coolant (no coolant eventually = no compression)

hth

cheers

mrmina · Post by **mrmina** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 5:01 pm

mfzx6r wrote:How's it going Rossi ?

its not going at all u dumb fark...maybe it was going putt putt before it went kaboom.

hope that helps u work out what the problem is mario.

Rossi · Post by **Rossi** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 6:00 pm

Alright,
having threatened it with a big stick, run out of swear words etc. I charged the battery the little bugger starts !!!!!

It's a Holden Nova.......... Smitty, Ithought I'd better read the badge

It conked out while going though which is still a mystery 'cause I thought the battery was only there to start the bugger

So it's off to Battery World in the morning as they have a battery for less than 50 bucks

Eelko,
they have an offer on M/C batteries too at the minute (free battery charger or summat like)

On to the next challenge.............the friggin dishwasher

Daisy · Post by **Daisy** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 7:47 pm

Check the alternator before you shell out for a new battery. If it's not charging the car will run on the battery - until it runs out, then it will just stop like you described.