Right, so I've gone to go out this morning (to my MOT infact) I've got to turn it over and it wont let me. The clocks on the car have reset which makes me think it just needs jump starting (hopefully). However there is a dreaful clicking noise and a dash warning light which looks like an; hazard warning light with an arrow going halfway round it. My car was fine last night with the similar tempeture and weather condions.

Anyone got any ideas.

If it helps. VW Polo 6n2 xreg.

Cheers!

Someone please I need to get out of the house!

sounds like flat battery

I hope so, would that be a case of getting a new battery or jump starting it?

it'l probs jump start. if its been getting slower and slower to start, buy a battery

So if it jump starts firs time, leave it? How do you mean slowe slower?..sorry I'm a noob.

if the battery is old and past it it'l get harder and harder to start in the cold. until it gives up. jump starting will do, until tomorrow maybe

So perhaps get a new battery, because in the past not neccesarily in the cold but any time. I've had problems so maybe it's finally given up.

The heavy clicking sound which you speak of is most likely the sound of the starter solenoid going in and out. It would do that if the battery was pretty flat or if there is a poor electrical connection between the battery and the starter motor (including the earth connection to the engine.)

If you still get this heavy clicking whilst jump-starting, it probably is the connections which are at fault.

By the way, when jump starting, do be sure to: Connect the positive lead, first to your battery, then to the donor; Connect the negative lead, first to your car and then to the donor (MAKING SURE THAT YOU CONNECT THEM TO THE CORRECT TERMINALS); Without running the donor car, start your engine; Allow your engine to run on a fast tick-over for three or four minutes before disconnecting the jump leads, this allows your alternator to put some charge back into your battery, and at the end of three or four minutes, will have reduced its output somewhat. Failure to follow that procedure can cause a voltage spike when the leads are disconnected, which in turn can do all sorts of damage to the vehicle electronics (yours and/or the donors.)

I am aware that many people don't follow that procedure and have never had any problems - aren't they lucky!!

Regards.

hope you have antifreeze in the cooling system - problem of the starter not working could be due to a rock solid frozen engine which means the water pump cannot turn - hence the no cranking and a short circuit occuring on the starter.....reseting your clocks.

squeeze rad pipes and check they arnt solid

Edited 1 December, 201015 yr by youngprodigys

Problem solved got new battery :)

Hmm I dunno if I do ;/

Squeeze your coolant pipes and see if they're solid... also worth checking what colour your coolant is...

Which ones are they! and i have no anti freeze in the house!

right I've located in I'm going to nip out and see if its okay, so if pipes are solid and water yellow am i okay?

not* solid

Okay so checked the coolant tubes they didn't appear to be solid so thats ok. Also turned car over. Would it be a wise choice to purchase some anti-freeze?

I've said this quite a few times this week, but here we go again 'specially for you! If you love your motor, treat it to some genuine VW G12Plus, you mix this with water,just like you would inferior anti-freeze and away you go, no more worries!

Regards.

Edited 2 December, 201015 yr by caretakerplus