Been parked, wont start?

[newsmart]

Hi All,

I've had this ForTwo 54 plate parked up for about a year and it wont start. You can hear the fuel pump kick in and it clicks as though it wants to but nothing. All lights on that should be on, the a/c works, windows, electrics etc...

It always started before.

The battery is ok, any ideas anyone?

[tolsen]

Re: Been parked, wont start?

How do you know battery is OK? Test battery by turning on headlights as you try to start, connect a volt meter if you have. You should see lights go really faint and voltage drops considerably when battery is poor and you attempt to start. You will most likely also find out your alternator has seized up. The cure is a new alternator or you may try to unseize it by working it on its pulley nut.

[zerocool]

Re: Been parked, wont start?

alternator seized

[madDan]

Re: Been parked, wont start?

Quick way to find out if alternator remove belt (cut) or slacken alternator then try to start if it now starts freely it is alternator. Only run very briefly as same belt drives water pump.

If it doesn't start then maybe battery - so jump start it, or the starter if the starter bump start it.

[tolsen]

Re: Been parked, wont start?

Quick way to find out if alternator remove belt (cut) or slacken alternator then try to start if it now starts freely it is alternator. Only run very briefly as same belt drives water pump.

If it doesn't start then maybe battery - so jump start it, or the starter if the starter bump start it.

Easier just turning engine by hand and check if alternator turns or not.

[newsmart]

Re: Been parked, wont start?

Tolsen battery been checked on meter - is A OK,

[newsmart]

Re: Been parked, wont start?

alternator seized

Yep thought about this, you might be right

[newsmart]

Re: Been parked, wont start?

Tried to jump it and back wheels locked

[newsmart]

Re: Been parked, wont start?

Quick way to find out if alternator remove belt (cut) or slacken alternator then try to start if it now starts freely it is alternator. Only run very briefly as same belt drives water pump.

If it doesn't start then maybe battery - so jump start it, or the starter if the starter bump start it.

Thanks guys, I think its conclusive = Alternator!

[newsmart]

Re: Been parked, wont start?

BUT - Trying to get the bloody thing out, is another question!!

[tolsen]

Re: Been parked, wont start?

BUT - Trying to get the bloody thing out, is another question!!

Try unseizing alternator first by working it on the nut. Also get some penetration oil and spray into its windings. Corrosion forms between the iron in armature and iron of stator. Lots of small angular movements will usually free the corrosion bond. Access is best from wheel arch.

[madDan]

Re: Been parked, wont start?

it's easy - drop the subframe then it's a doddle,

or you can do the fiddly ways http://www.fq101.co.uk/how-to-guides...or-change.html, http://www.evilution.co.uk/index.php?id=651

Fitting the new one may appear to be tight - if it isn't square on the top mount it will appear that way

[tolsen]

Re: Been parked, wont start?

it's easy - drop the subframe then it's a doddle,

or you can do the fiddly ways http://www.fq101.co.uk/how-to-guides...or-change.html, http://www.evilution.co.uk/index.php?id=651

Fitting the new one may appear to be tight - if it isn't square on the top mount it will appear that way

Alternators are generally very tight on their pivot mounts. Knocking back the roll pin will make refitting much easier. Roll pin is there to take up play when bolt for top mount is tightened. Beware it is easy to loose the square nut.

[tolsen]

Re: Been parked, wont start?

Here are a couple of photos showing why the alternator seizes up.



Rust builds up on the airgap between armature and stator causing alternator to seize up. Stator is the part that is bathing in pink diesel, my favourite fuel, especially these days due to highly inflated fuel cost.

[madDan]

Re: Been parked, wont start?

I thought on mine I may need to drift back the pin, but when the alternator was squared up true it went in no problem, saved me the bother I guess!