Fiesta help pls, starting prob, fixed ta

[omegod]

Our trusty 04 Fiesta 1.25 has decided to act a wee bit odd of late, 2 symptoms , firstly when starting for the last few weeks the dash display does a fandango with fuel + temp gauge going up and down and rev counter taking 10 secs to register any revs, tonight she tried to start it and said it turned over with a loud clicking noise but wouldn't catch.

 

Starting fine now !

 

She called AA who sent out an agent who tested the battery ( i'd bought a new one on the way home from work just in case )  and declared it 100% but suggested starter motor or ignition switch ?  Not a bother changing either for me but I'd rather not start throwing money at possibly the wrong parts. Ideal question for Barry Cade I would have thought but all opinions are welcome   

[D Spares & Tyres]

Earth? Try putting a jump lead from body to engine next time it plays up

[Barry Cade]

Earth? Try putting a jump lead from body to engine next time it plays up

Yup, sounds like it- the other end of the negative cable where it bolts to the body gets pretty crusty on these, so would need to be between the battery post and engine. Also have a look at the big multiplug to the left and rear of the battery- the bolt together one, these can get a bit corroded and cause strange dash/starting faults.

[tommotech]

+1 for bad earth. If you know how to do a voltage drop test with electrical load being drawn it is easy to check the cable from engine to body / battery.

That said the AA ought to have done that for you.

[Cavcraft]

Earth.

[omegod]

Thanks guy's ! Wasn't the  AA but an agent ( which is fine! ) and to be honest he took 3.5 hrs to get here and looked bloody knackered, think he mentioned 13 hrs straight so, as the car was starting, he was happy to test the battery and fuck off   

[Barry Cade]

Thanks guy's ! Wasn't the  AA but an agent ( which is fine! ) and to be honest he took 3.5 hrs to get here and looked bloody knackered, think he mentioned 13 hrs straight so, as the car was starting, he was happy to test the battery and fuck off   

Bloody lightweight!

[sloth]

also check the connector at the back of the clocks. they rattle loose and go mental.

[omegod]

Thanks chaps, cleaned up the "bolt together" connector behind the battery which was full of white corrosion crap, also threw in a new battery ( £31 on Halfords trade) and jobs a goodun, starts quicker and without the dash dance. Happy bunny and happy Mrs Omegod 

[Christine]

BJ tonight then !

[omegod]

BJ tonight then !

 

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