Mystery Car Problem

[stoory]

Here's a problem: 2 days ago my car wouldn't start, at all. The day after it coughed to a start and since has run fine but does make a strained noise when starting sometimes... sounds like dead battery right?? well i had it tested in a few places and they all said the battery was fine (still 350 amps) so what should i do cos its going fine really??

[andy hughes]

If the battery is OK, you may have dirt or damp in your plugs or coil. Ask a mechanic to check it over for you, and dry everytning out, and spray with WD40 to inhibit the return of the damp - should do the trick. Don't spray WD40 willy-nilly yourself, you'll end up sealing the damp in, and you'll never solve the problem - let a mechanic have a look, always worth the money you spend for hassle-free starting and running.

[Ewood27]

If the car is a few years old, check the strap/cable from the battery to a point on the bodywork - the earth connection.  It can corrode where it is connected to the bodywork, and that really screws up the electrics.  If corroded, disconnect, clean both the strap end and the patch of bodywork, apply a little Vaseline and reconnect.  That will give your battery the best chance of doing its stuff.

[harperma]

I dont know what car have, but i use to have a 1985 Ford Granada which had a similar problem. It would drive fine for days then suddenly not start at all. To cut a long story short i found out that during slow commutes the battery was now being charged, but on the motorway that alternator would kick in and charge the battery (hence intermittant fault) this cna be caused by a failed dashboard engine light, or in my case the speedo had been replaced and the computer ribben that plugged into the back was not seated correctly. When i pushed it int fully i never ahd the problem again (worth a look).