Car won't start
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Not many rules really, this board being aimed at technical issues, it shouldn't fall foul (hopefully) of some of the more personal issues that can affect forums.
Rule 1 - Is that you need to think very carefully before posting anything technical or asking anything technical relating to the security system of the car - See 'Security Issues' sticky for more info.
Rule 2 - We (MGF Register) do not support copyright infringement and therefore references to CD ROM, PDF versions or paper copies of the workshop manual (for instance) should not be posted on the forum. We don't want to get into trouble and we'd rather sell you a genuine hard copy through our Regalia shop anyway!
Because advice is honestly and freely given in this technical section, much of it will be amateur experienced based, so any information is given in good faith and is not guaranteed as correct.
Not many rules really, this board being aimed at technical issues, it shouldn't fall foul (hopefully) of some of the more personal issues that can affect forums.
Rule 1 - Is that you need to think very carefully before posting anything technical or asking anything technical relating to the security system of the car - See 'Security Issues' sticky for more info.
Rule 2 - We (MGF Register) do not support copyright infringement and therefore references to CD ROM, PDF versions or paper copies of the workshop manual (for instance) should not be posted on the forum. We don't want to get into trouble and we'd rather sell you a genuine hard copy through our Regalia shop anyway!
Because advice is honestly and freely given in this technical section, much of it will be amateur experienced based, so any information is given in good faith and is not guaranteed as correct.
- radiomarty
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- Model of Car: 1996 1.8vvc
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Car won't start
Help required please guys - I have had my MGF for a week now and driven it aprox 500 miles with no problem - was out on a run today and for a short while there was a minor misfire that cleared - upon returning to my house I was reversing onto my drive and it stalled (poss my fault) since then car will not start - When i put on the ignition all the lights come on as normal then when i turn the key further to start it the oil over heat light illuminates but nothing at all happens - no attempt for the starter motor -Also when turning the key to the fire position the radio power goes off then returns after i return to the normal ignition position - reading through here I was wondering if it could be a defective crankshaft sensor ? If so would the car still attempt to turn over ?- Your opinions please chaps - Marty
Last edited by radiomarty on Tue Dec 18, 2012 5:08 pm, edited 2 times in total.
- Reckless Rat
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Re: Car won't start
Assuming that your battery is serviceable it sounds like you've either got a bad connection at the battery (check under the bonnet) or there's a problem with the alternator. This may be a loose or corroded contact or a faulty alternator or a slack or broken drive belt. The alternator is accessible by jacking the rear of the car & removing the offside rear wheel and then removing the splash guard on the inside of the wheel arch.
- radiomarty
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Re: Car won't start
Many thanks -It was a new battery fitted by the previous owner a few weeks ago.- what about the starter is it worth taking it off and bench testing it ?
- Reckless Rat
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Re: Car won't start
Even if the battery is new, if it's not being charged then eventually you run out of sparks. The fact that the starter motor wouldn't turn the engine suggests a charging problem. Try charging the battery first (make a note of the radio code before you disconnect) and see what happens.
- radiomarty
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Re: Car won't start
Fair comment thanks will stick on charge and see what happens -Marty
- radiomarty
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Re: Car won't start
OK - battery all OK and holding a good charge - measured at 12.68 v when fitted
- Reckless Rat
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Re: Car won't start
It's not going to be fully charged in an hour. Leave it on charge overnight and then try it on the car again.
- talkingcars
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Re: Car won't start
But 12.68 volts is charged, if you try and put any more in the battery will suffer. This suggests to me another problem.
I'd check the fuel cut out switch which is somewhere in the engine bay (no idea where), also try locking and unlocking the car in case it's the immoboliser, and make sure all the connections are correct for the battery.
The radio cutting out when you start the car is normal, try cranking the starter with the headlights on, they should dim if there is current going to the starter.
I'd check the fuel cut out switch which is somewhere in the engine bay (no idea where), also try locking and unlocking the car in case it's the immoboliser, and make sure all the connections are correct for the battery.
The radio cutting out when you start the car is normal, try cranking the starter with the headlights on, they should dim if there is current going to the starter.
Home to black Alfa 159 3.2 V6 Q4, blue MGZR160, green MGF VVC and grey MGF 1.8i, and red MG Maestro T16.
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- radiomarty
- Posts: 177
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Re: Car won't start
I have one of these high tech charges that indicates when its fully charged and all is good - also tried a spare battery I have and I get the same condition - noticed no clicking noise from the starter so i will try to get to it tomorrow and see if the voltage is getting through to the solenoid.
- radiomarty
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Re: Car won't start
Cheers for that - tried the fuel cut out switch but no joy - also tried locking and unlocking several times because it does seem like its an immoboliser issue but no joy - bit dark now so will try to check the starters getting voltage in tomorrow and take it from there - just wondered why the oil high temp light comes on when I try to crank it (and it does not crank) is this relevant - Cheers Marty ps headlights do not dim when I try to crank it.talkingcars wrote:But 12.68 volts is charged, if you try and put any more in the battery will suffer. This suggests to me another problem.
I'd check the fuel cut out switch which is somewhere in the engine bay (no idea where), also try locking and unlocking the car in case it's the immoboliser, and make sure all the connections are correct for the battery.
The radio cutting out when you start the car is normal, try cranking the starter with the headlights on, they should dim if there is current going to the starter.
- Reckless Rat
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- MGF Register Region: Europe
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Re: Car won't start
Before you start stripping down to get access to the starter motor (via the engine access panel) it may be worth while checking the starter relay which is in the fuse panel under the steering wheel...
- radiomarty
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Re: Car won't start
Thanks again - ps is there any way of turning off the immoboliser to eliminate it ?
- Reckless Rat
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- Joined: Tue Apr 01, 2008 9:01 am
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Re: Car won't start
Not as far as I'm aware, it's all part of the ECU. If the red light on the dashboard has gone out, normally the immobiliser is disabled and you should be able to crank the engine.
- radiomarty
- Posts: 177
- Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2012 9:58 pm
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Re: Car won't start
I managed to rule out the immobilization - so now it's starter relay / solenoid - thanks for the help so far
Last edited by radiomarty on Wed Dec 19, 2012 11:15 am, edited 1 time in total.
- radiomarty
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Re: Car won't start
Hi Bud - can you clarify where the starter relay is ? - There are a number in the fuse box under the steering column but reading through some other threads on here I have seen reference some in the boot behind the ECU ? - I know I should buy a Haynes !!Reckless Rat wrote:Before you start stripping down to get access to the starter motor (via the engine access panel) it may be worth while checking the starter relay which is in the fuse panel under the steering wheel...
-
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Re: Car won't start
Hang on - I had this problem and it was the earth strap from the battery had worked loose where it joins the front wing and was badly coroded.
Check the earth strap - might save you a lot of work.
Cheers
Ian
Check the earth strap - might save you a lot of work.
Cheers
Ian
2000 MGF VVC pearlescent BRG, 52mm throttle body, Scorpion exhaust, induction kit and hours of fun
- radiomarty
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Re: Car won't start
Thanks Ian - will check before I start dismantling everything - Marty
- talkingcars
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Re: Car won't start
Good luck, there isn't one.radiomarty wrote:Reckless Rat wrote:I know I should buy a Haynes !!
You can get a workshop manual either from the register shop or ebay.
Home to black Alfa 159 3.2 V6 Q4, blue MGZR160, green MGF VVC and grey MGF 1.8i, and red MG Maestro T16.
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Car won't start
Shame there isn't a Haynes as the MG manual is pants!
- radiomarty
- Posts: 177
- Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2012 9:58 pm
- MGF Register Region: South Midlands
- Model of Car: 1996 1.8vvc
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Re: Car won't start
Good news she's up and running again - the problem was down to the starter solenoid connection being a bit loose / corroded - many thanks for all the help here folks - Marty