Car just cut out
 

Hi,

Just after some ideas on the problem ive just encountered on my 98 UK Turbo, its currently in bits to look at on the inside, have the dashboard and all trim out to have flocked etc.

Now I havent been driving the car for the past two weeks but I do start it, let it warm up while I wash it, I move the car up and down my little residential area to wash it and all has been fine previously.

I started the car this afternoon, let it idle, blip it every once and a while as it sometime hunts a little. After 20 minutes or so while I was washing the other car it cut out. Tried to start it but ill I get is a click noise, it doesnt turn over at all.

Car has 1/4 tank of fuel, and I can hear the fuel pump priming but it doesnt event turn over? bit strange as the car was running fine then suddenly decided to die on me.

Any ideas?

Either the battery is flat which is possible cos it probably wont be charging without a dash in it as the ind circuit for the alternator has been broken, or the starter has given up

Starter wouldn't explain why it cut out but shagged alt would.

Can you Turn the car over by hand?

the alt wont be shagged, no ind feed to it coz the dash is out the car would mean it has no signal to tell it to charge

Your knowledge out ways mine there mate

Starting the car takes a lot out of the battery.

When it is dark switch on the headlights and turn the key to start. If the headlights dim (considerably) or go out then your battery is likely flat.

Just starting the car and idling or moving it a few yards will not give the battery a chance to charge, if the alternator circuit is not connected then it will run out of juice due to this and the car will cut out due to no electricity/spark/ecu not getting enough power.

If you have an alarm fitted then you have a constant drain on the battery so it will slowly discharge.

Thanks everyone, spot on advice.

Battery was going flat, used some jump leads connected to our family car and car started no problems.

Although my interior is all stripped out if I connect up the instrument panel (speedo, fuel gauge etc) will that allow the car to charge?

Thanks again for all the quick responses, simple problem but sound advice.

Yep guage pod is connected it should charge.