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MG MGF Technical - starting problems MGF?

Hi all,

I have a big problem with my MGF. I haven't used it for 1,5 weeks now because of the cold weather and it has been standing in a covered parking garage.

Last night wanting to go out, guess what, nothing! The lights on the dashboard are lit, and when I turn the key for ignition, first I hear 2 little ticks and all these lights and both left/right indicators start flashing and the ticking sound continues.

I checked oil/battery, but nothing seems wrong. I cannot imagine it is the battery, as I was still able to listen radio and he lights are working inside the car.

Anyone that has a clue what this can be?
Thx,
Steven
Steven

Hi Steven

Does sound like the battery actually, having enough current for the first stage of ignition but nowhere near enough to fire the starter. Ticking could be the starter solenoid trying to operate but not getting enough current. Pretty sure a few hours on a trickle charge (disconnect the battery first) will have it behaving normally again.
Hope it's that simple - good luck.
Mike Hankin

Hey Steven,

Yep, agree with Mike, sounds like the battery. If I park the car on a Friday evening and don't use it again til Monday morning, it's jump leads time... as Mike said, everything else works, just not enough juice to fire the starter.

Col
Colin McIlwaine

Completely agree - sounds exactly like a low charge level in the battery. Had this a number of times, especially when the car hasn't been used for a prolonged period of time.
Rob Bell

Hi all,

then I just need to charge the battery and use the start cables isn't it? I don't have start cables, so I've got to go and buy, but do I need 200Amps or 400Amps? My MGF is a MGF 1.8VVC 2001/08 is 400Amps for diesel? Do I need special cables because of the electronic parts?

Anything in particular I need to think of (alarm stuff)? I admit this is the first time I'm gonna be charging any car, and the only thing I know is first to connect plus, then minus, then charge it, then disconnect minus and then disconnect plus.

thx,
Steven
Steven

Yep, and connect minus to the chassis away from the battery rather than battery.

Often batterys don't like being flattened, so you might find it never comes back properly (not good in this weather)
Will Munns

Just buy the one with the highest rating - not because it is necessary, but because the lower rated cables tend to be of lower quality.

So long as the jump leads are connected properly, there ought not be any problems with electronics.

If using a battery charger, you must disconnect the battery from the car's wiring harness. This doesn't cause problems with the immobiliser/ alarm, but DO make a note of the stereo codes (if applicable)!
Rob Bell

Rob's Correct,

If you don't disconnect one side of the battery from the cars system, (when you connect he charger) you can burn out the rectifier part of the alternator. The rectifier will cook because it is having reverse current being forced thru them by the charger.

The reason you connect the earth lead away from the battery terminl is purely to avoid a rsik of explosion of the battery gases that may be in the area.

We don't want a big Kabooooom, do we? :-(


Cheers.





Branko

Just to follow that Branko.., I have a friend bought himself a second hand (3 year old) Volvo for a bargain price...

... first thing he did was start taking the fuel injectors apart...
..dropped a spanner that connected +ve to -ve and set fire to the entire engine bay..

It would almost have been funny, except he had unwisely not got around to insuring it!


Neil H

Just out of interest how does a trickle charger get around the issue of burning out the rectifier part of the alternator?
Steve Ratledge

It's the high peaky voltage which causes a problem (although I would expect a modern alt to cope), trickle chargers have a low constant supply.
Will Munns

//buttering up mode on

Will

You are usually knowledgeable on leccie matters.

Is it the low constant supply that allows modern chargers to connect in via ciggie lighters or power supply sockets? i.e. Optimate type units (bike or car versions) or the solar powered units.

I never considered a solar powered charger when I had the F but the 'always on' socket in the TF makes it a viable proposition. Of course, the chargers themselves may be cr@p anyway.

//buttering up mode off
JohnP

How old is the battery??, does not last 1.5 days, then time to bite the bullet and buy a new battery.
You replace it now or suffer and do it tomorrow.
Geoff F,
G. Farthing

>>If using a battery charger, you must disconnect the battery from the car's wiring harness<<
This is the case if using a (high capacity) bench charger. However, most domestic chargers should be of the optimate type now - it's not worth considering anything else. And these can certainly be connected to the battery without disconnecting.
My own recent charger doesn't mention disconnecting the battery.
However, it certainly doesn't hurt to disconnect the battery, regardless of charger type.

Incidentally, I've had the diodes blow on the *charger* - allowing full battery current through the DC cables and charger. It would've caught fire if I hadn't been there to disconnect. So be careful how and where you set the charger up.
Steve

JP, yes.

I guess you'd lay it on the parcel shelf up against the windstop, that way it would work with the hood open or closed as long as you didn't fit a hood cover.
Will Munns

Interesting idea - they are only about £25 - £30. I was thinking about attaching it to the windstop then it wouldn't matter about the hood cover. Roof up/windstop down or roof down.
JohnP

Ok,

here is what is says in the MGF owners manual.
(Only relevent excerts shown)
-----------------------------------------
Battery charging

DO NOT charge the battery if it is connected to the car - this may seriously damage the car's electrical system.

DO NOT attempt to charge the battery if the battery condition indicator is clear or light yellow.

DO NOT charge the battery if it is suspected of being frozen.

While charging, always heed the following
precautions:

•Before charging, disconnect and remove the battery from the car - charging the battery with the cables connected may damage the car's electrical system."
--------------------------------------------


cheers.
Branko

This thread was discussed between 01/03/2005 and 02/03/2005

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