trouble starting

[philsheff]

Hi guys, my 94 2.4 has trouble starting, to me it seems that the batteries are not holding enough charge. Got the batteries checked yesterday at halfords and they said they are ok, they also checked the charging system and that seems ok. Any ideas before i go out and pay £200 for a pair of batteries?
Thanks
Phil

[charliemuttley]

Hi, can you describe symtoms a bit more? Chances are if batteries are ok, it needs the starter contacts changing (roughtrax do a kit - £30 ish). Does it turn over slow or just not start?

[philsheff]

it turns over slowly then the batteries will go dead. It only started a couple of days ago

[charliemuttley]

Ok, so when it won't start and batteries are dead test voltage reading. I think you need your batteries tested by a garage and not someone that sells batteries for £100 each! If it won't turn over but voltages are still high then it could still be starter contacts.

[philsheff]

its very strange, I will get batteries checked again, what are starter contacts, do you mean brushes?

[charliemuttley]

Sort of- look on roughtrax website you get complete new set of copper contacts- easy to do once you have got starter motor off. But get batteries checked again. Keep us informed.

[philsheff]

thanks mate, i will get the buzz bar checked as well, i have a top end rebuild done last year and the glow light hasnt worked properly since then, the glow light only stays on for a couple of seconds so it takes 2 or 3 goes to get it to start. I read something on this site that they have to be put back the right way round, ie washers etc otherwise they dont work as they should