1998 S Reg Avensis 4 Door Saloon

[Casey]

Sorry to bore you guys but...

I travelled abroad in December and came back 1st week of January - during the cold snap here in the UK to discover that my car wouldn't start. The Battery was diagnosed dead by an auto electrician on the 16/01/10. That same day i bought a new Battery (£75). I drove the car for 3 weekends - 23/01/10, 30/01/10 & 06/02/10 (I work in Central London, so can't afford to park and even pay congestion charge - hence drive only weekends).

Last weekend, the car wouldn't start again so i booked it in for check up. The mechanic came back to me with the news that my alternator was bad - it cost me £240 to replace including workmanship.

Just this evening i came back from work and was rushing to church for the ash Wednesday service and the car won't start!

The same reaction as i had before booking it in for check up.

When i turn the ignition to start position, the car rubs slowly then stop. The next turn, it rubs again slowly and stops then i hear click click click sound from the bonnet/engine area. Some other times it sounds as if there is a spark sound and the dash lights go out.

I am so !Removed! frustrated now and don't know what the heck is happening.

Someone pls help.

[jamesholden]

Others will be able to give you more ideas but it could be the immobiliser playing up, or a fuel supply issue possibly.

[Casey]

Others will be able to give you more ideas but it could be the immobiliser playing up, or a fuel supply issue possibly.

Thanks James, I'll wait for more people to tell me what they think.

[t-spiritpete]

Others will be able to give you more ideas but it could be the immobiliser playing up, or a fuel supply issue possibly.

Thanks James, I'll wait for more people to tell me what they think.

Hi Casey, you really need a "genuine auto electrician" to fault find they problem that is draining the Battery ...... not someone who is going to rip you off again!

You could disconnect the Battery after the weekend (when the Battery is fully charged) and reconnect it for when you need to use the car in the mean time. There is definately something taking power from your battery but the alarm system should last more than a week with a new battery fitted!

Best of luck, Pete.

[Beagh1958]

To Casey,

Your car may have problem at base of ignition switch. As you turn key, plastic disc at base of key makes connections to start car, these are known to play up. Did your auto electrician check all your earth leads & wiring circuit connections to starter motor. Just a few things you could check yourself for free.

Good luck. Regards, Beagh.

[peterc.lewis@blueyonder.co.uk]

Got an R Reg that has had three major causes of not starting.

1. Duff Battery, you hear the relays click and the lights go yellow and dim. If the motor does turn it is lethargic and if it doesn't start it won't till you recharge , bump it or get a jump from another car using leads.

2. The ever so common ignition key issue well documented on here. If it starts when you wiggle the key a lot and otherwise runs fine then it may be this. About £55 plus 20 minutes work. Dead easy there are some cracking posts on here .

3. Starter motor went. The Battery is strong but the lights dim when you try to start it . They then recover to full and strong brightness when you stop cranking). Cost me £70 to get the old one reconned. About 45 - 60 minutes most of which is figuring out how to get it off and back on. It is dead easy when you figure it out.

haynes manual invaluable for an R Reg.

Please note this is just my experience as an owner come bodger.

[Casey]

Sorry to bore you guys but...

I travelled abroad in December and came back 1st week of January - during the cold snap here in the UK to discover that my car wouldn't start. The battery was diagnosed dead by an auto electrician on the 16/01/10. That same day i bought a new battery (£75). I drove the car for 3 weekends - 23/01/10, 30/01/10 & 06/02/10 (I work in Central London, so can't afford to park and even pay congestion charge - hence drive only weekends).

Last weekend, the car wouldn't start again so i booked it in for check up. The mechanic came back to me with the news that my alternator was bad - it cost me £240 to replace including workmanship.

Just this evening i came back from work and was rushing to church for the ash Wednesday service and the car won't start!

The same reaction as i had before booking it in for check up.

When i turn the ignition to start position, the car rubs slowly then stop. The next turn, it rubs again slowly and stops then i hear click click click sound from the bonnet/engine area. Some other times it sounds as if there is a spark sound and the dash lights go out.

I am so !Removed! frustrated now and don't know what the heck is happening.

Someone pls help.

Guys, it looks like the car is sorted now, although i won't be wholly sure until i leave it parked for the week (Monday to Friday).

According to my mechanic, "the Battery wasn't getting enough compensation corresponding to the loading" (God knows what that means). I didn't want to know - just glad the baby is back cruising.

From what he said he did, what i think all that blabbing meant is that the connections and circuit from the Battery to the alternator are dirty hence impeding current flow. The Battery simply never gets well charged.

In a nut Shell the fault was initially 'mis-diagnosed', so i disposed off my battery, got ripped off £240 for alternator :-((.

I will post a feedback by the weekend next.

Thanks Guys.

[SF695]

Small remark regarding flat batteries. If they at one point have been drained, they wont be able to hold the power.

[cmia]

Sorry to bore you guys but...

I travelled abroad in December and came back 1st week of January - during the cold snap here in the UK to discover that my car wouldn't start. The battery was diagnosed dead by an auto electrician on the 16/01/10. That same day i bought a new battery (£75). I drove the car for 3 weekends - 23/01/10, 30/01/10 & 06/02/10 (I work in Central London, so can't afford to park and even pay congestion charge - hence drive only weekends).

Last weekend, the car wouldn't start again so i booked it in for check up. The mechanic came back to me with the news that my alternator was bad - it cost me £240 to replace including workmanship.

Just this evening i came back from work and was rushing to church for the ash Wednesday service and the car won't start!

The same reaction as i had before booking it in for check up.

When i turn the ignition to start position, the car rubs slowly then stop. The next turn, it rubs again slowly and stops then i hear click click click sound from the bonnet/engine area. Some other times it sounds as if there is a spark sound and the dash lights go out.

I am so !Removed! frustrated now and don't know what the heck is happening.

Someone pls help.

Guys, it looks like the car is sorted now, although i won't be wholly sure until i leave it parked for the week (Monday to Friday).

According to my mechanic, "the Battery wasn't getting enough compensation corresponding to the loading" (God knows what that means). I didn't want to know - just glad the baby is back cruising.

From what he said he did, what i think all that blabbing meant is that the connections and circuit from the Battery to the alternator are dirty hence impeding current flow. The Battery simply never gets well charged.

In a nut Shell the fault was initially 'mis-diagnosed', so i disposed off my battery, got ripped off £240 for alternator :-((.

I will post a feedback by the weekend next.

Thanks Guys.

If the Battery wasnt getting charged..

It would have shown the batt light on the dash.

I dont think your problem is sorted.