Car Primes but wont turn over.

[Cheekynandos95]

FYI I'm totally new to cars and dont know much about them.
1994 Holden VR
Hey, so my car primes but it refuses to turn over. I had a flat battery yesterday (because my alternator is busted) so I charged it over night and put it back in this morning. And when I went to start it. It struggled to turn over, then it stopped altogether. And now it won't even try to turn. All my head lights, dashboard lights work, and the fuses are ok, and I can hear it prime but it just won't start.

 

[vs-lover]

I'm wondering if your Starter Motor is cactus and is trying to draw way too much current.

Having a stuffed alternator isn't helping your cause. While you are at it I would check the red lead that comes off the back of the alternator and see if the cable is still sound or whether it's been melted and disfigured or come loose where it's held on by a single nut under the rubber boot.

 

[losh1971]

I think your battery is cactus, running it down really low is a pretty quick way to sulphite the plates, charging it up may help but the damage to the battery might make it too far gone.

 

[Trevor loves holden.]

Battery for sure, get a jump start or charge or replace battery..

 

[vs-lover]

Those starter motors have a bad habit of reflecting this same situation with most folks pointing to the battery. This same scenario was the case in my lads Commodore.

How old is the battery ? and how long has this faulty alternator been in play as well ?

Many people initially always blame the battery when in fact it's a battery lead / starter motor issue. The best way would be to get the battery deep cycle tested. That would then certainly clarify that part decisively.

If this battery is 4 years old or older then the battery may well be the culprit, but if it's a 2 year old unit or thereabouts, then I'd be looking else where.

 

[Trevor loves holden.]

Maybe try your starter relay swap it over with head lights. Then still nothing your starter or battery is cactus.

 

[losh1971]

I'm blaming the battery VSL because it hasn't been kept at the right charge. As you know deep discharging is the quickest way to kill a battery fast, a non-functional alt will aid in killing a battery as it will get well below the safe 12.2v voltage level that it needs to be kept at before full charging. My experience with the factory SMs is they will go click when the brushes wear out, rather than struggle to turn over the small V6.

 

[losh1971]

Trevor, can't see how changing a relay which is simply a switch will make an engine turn over slowly. It will either be click, click or nothing at all.

 

[vs-lover]

Hi Losh,
Happy to agree with you on all points, but seeing where the battery is at is a priority. Sourcing another or a jump start as a trial will give us all the relevant info we need I guess.

 

[losh1971]

Absolutely I wouldn't be buying a new one without first fully charging it, then getting it load tested.