Charging difficulties

Assuming you've deactivated the immobilizer, I'm guessing a new battery is order. They don't last forever, and if it's near end of life, the conditioner isn't going to help it.

 

Please clarify 'won't turn over'. Do you mean won't crank or do you mean won't start? Very different potential causes.

 

There are fine tolerances on the condition of the battery cf most other vehicles. The battery can run everything but crank the starter motor, I know because I have the badge. If you have had the car for a while and haven't replaced the battery then replace it.

After two years of ownership I replaced mine.

I took the opportunity to actually write on the battery when it was installed just in case I don't own the car in another 4 years so the new owner will know when a new battery is required.

 

Pull the T handle under the glove box (well the glovebox on a RHD car)

 

Pull the silver T handle under and to the left of the steering column to pop the bonnet.

 

yep!

 

Where does your battery charger connect to the electrical system? If it is like mine, the connection is made at the "on/off" battery switch under the hood. If yours is the same, turning this switch off while charging may actually keep the charger from completing it's circuit to the battery.

Try turning the battery cut-off switch on and hook up your charger. See if this corrects the problem.

 

Mike, is it YOUR charger or the one that came with the car?

I would (as I did with my car) remove the battery from under the passenger feet on the passenger side of the car. How old is the battery? Are the connections good? How good are the wires? I put my charger pigtail directly on the battery terminals so I KNOW the juice goes there... and I bought a schumaker battery maintainer. Thus when I turn off the switch in the front compartment, it isolates my electrical system but charges/maintains my battery. Other emergency pulls: the loop in the gas filler opens the rear hatch. On the left rear of the car in front of the left rear lights is another pull that opens the gas door if no power.

Get a new battery. That solved 99% of my starting issues. When you drove the car at night.. did the lights flicker at all? If a new battery still doesnt solve it, clean the connection at the starter relay.

 

On my 430, when the OEM charger is connected the car will not start. This is a safety feature to keep you from driving off.

Check the battery voltage when you hit the starter. If it goes down significantly it's time for a new battery.

 

Mike, did you remember to push the key fob button before turning the key? I know its a dumb question... but I had to ask...

 

Excellent advice on how to check a battery.

With an F1 theoretically it will shift to N automatically BUT I think you must have your foot on the brake. First make sure that the car is in N and that you are depressing the brake firmly. Will the engine crank then?

If it is an immobilizer issue the car will crank but it won't start.

If it won't crank then AND the battery is holding ~13V THEN you have a problem in the circuit. I haven't looked at the wiring diagram but I think there is a relay that that engages the starter. Check if that relay is engaging. Work your way down the circuit until you find the fault. If you don't find it in the hot side look for a bad ground.

Good luck

 

Worth doing a current draw check and charge rate test too, and have a look at the alternator harness.

 

Does the main power switch under the hood need to be turned off before you hook up a trickle charger? I wasn't aware of this.

 

No need to turn off the main power to connect a trickle charger.

 

That is what I thought. Thanks, Netman.