Car Troubles!

Psymonkee · 24-05-2011, 12:27

Hey,

Recently I had my battery give up the ghost completely but it was 7.5 years old so no great loss there. When dying it made some awful noises when trying to turn the car over that I can only describe as a metallic screech.

New battery fitted and everything is awesome again until yesterday. The metallic screech came back and the car wouldn't turn over! Turned off and and tried again for the same result. It did start on the 3rd attempt but I'm less than happy with that noise.

Any ideas would be most helpful - I realise it's not much to go on though.

The car in question is a 2004 (53 plate) Mondeo 2.0 TDCI with about 54k on the clock.

Del Lardo · 24-05-2011, 13:21

Could have damaged the starter motor trying to start the car without enough juice?

If you can get someone else to start the car and stick your head in the engine bay to try and work out where the noise is coming from.

Muban · 24-05-2011, 17:41

It's not your altenator belt slipping is it? That can sound horrific...... just found a noise clip here

Psymonkee · 24-05-2011, 18:13

Nope certainly not that as when it makes this noise it's before the engine turns over

Muban · 24-05-2011, 18:37

Aaah my mistake, for some odd reason I was thinking it was making the nasty noise once it was going.

Justsomebloke · 25-05-2011, 08:10

Sounds like a bearing in the starter motor has fubared probably making it harder to turn over which killed the old battery.
Recon starter motor needed & trade them your old one.

Bare in mind this is with Very limited info so get somebody to check irl.

volospian · 25-05-2011, 08:33

I'd agree with JSB, but it could also be the starter motor not fully engaging the teeth with the flywheel. That could be a shagged starter bearing restricting the pinion, something else in the SM shagged, or it could be a lack of power.

A lack of power could either still be a shagged starter motor, or a drain somewhere (short circuit) draining the battery, or even a dodgy alternator not charging the battery correctly in the first place. Did you check the voltage across the battery terminals while the car was running before you changed the old battery? Have you checked the voltages now, with the earth attached, and without, to see if there is any drop when a circuit is made?

24-05-2011, 12:27	#1
Psymonkee A cat wearing a wet suit Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: St.Andrews Posts: 2,023	Car Troubles! Hey, Recently I had my battery give up the ghost completely but it was 7.5 years old so no great loss there. When dying it made some awful noises when trying to turn the car over that I can only describe as a metallic screech. New battery fitted and everything is awesome again until yesterday. The metallic screech came back and the car wouldn't turn over! Turned off and and tried again for the same result. It did start on the 3rd attempt but I'm less than happy with that noise. Any ideas would be most helpful - I realise it's not much to go on though. The car in question is a 2004 (53 plate) Mondeo 2.0 TDCI with about 54k on the clock. __________________ Sonisphere FMC Code: 1k949178

24-05-2011, 17:41	#3
Muban Shoes, Boobs & Corsets Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: The fastest town in Scotland Posts: 1,882	It's not your altenator belt slipping is it? That can sound horrific...... just found a noise clip here __________________ well, not to put a too fine point to it, he was discovered.. in the lounge

24-05-2011, 18:13	#4
Psymonkee A cat wearing a wet suit Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: St.Andrews Posts: 2,023	Nope certainly not that as when it makes this noise it's before the engine turns over __________________ Sonisphere FMC Code: 1k949178

24-05-2011, 18:37	#5
Muban Shoes, Boobs & Corsets Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: The fastest town in Scotland Posts: 1,882	Aaah my mistake, for some odd reason I was thinking it was making the nasty noise once it was going. __________________ well, not to put a too fine point to it, he was discovered.. in the lounge

25-05-2011, 08:10	#6
Justsomebloke The Night Worker Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 5,228	Sounds like a bearing in the starter motor has fubared probably making it harder to turn over which killed the old battery. Recon starter motor needed & trade them your old one. Bare in mind this is with Very limited info so get somebody to check irl. __________________

24-05-2011, 13:21	#2
Del Lardo Absinthe Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Cambridge Posts: 2,539	Could have damaged the starter motor trying to start the car without enough juice? If you can get someone else to start the car and stick your head in the engine bay to try and work out where the noise is coming from.

25-05-2011, 08:33	#7
volospian Vodka Martini Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 786	I'd agree with JSB, but it could also be the starter motor not fully engaging the teeth with the flywheel. That could be a shagged starter bearing restricting the pinion, something else in the SM shagged, or it could be a lack of power. A lack of power could either still be a shagged starter motor, or a drain somewhere (short circuit) draining the battery, or even a dodgy alternator not charging the battery correctly in the first place. Did you check the voltage across the battery terminals while the car was running before you changed the old battery? Have you checked the voltages now, with the earth attached, and without, to see if there is any drop when a circuit is made?