SV6 Not cranking, weird relay noise under bonnet.

[dimsimnz]

I thought this was just a flat battery, so pulled that out and fully charged it with my 8 stage charger but my SV6 just won't start.

It has been sitting for a while unused so I assumed that was the problem. Now with the battery charged if I leave the car overnight, it will crank and start for a few seconds (roughly) the die with the check engine light flashing rapidly and the odd relay noise and a clicking noise coming from the top of the engine or intake/throttle body?

For reference its a 2012 VE2 SV6 SIDI - until now it has run flawlessly.

Any gurus out there that may have experienced this before? I hoping its not an ECU as I doubt we have any aftermarket guys here able to repair or code.

 

[shane_3800]

Put a new battery in and then the diag can move forward.

 

[Dr_Mutley]

don’t forget to check the fusaeble links on the positive battery terminal

 

[dimsimnz]

Put a new battery in and then the diag can move forward.

just for clarity, it's not the same starter solenoid click that you get when the battery is discharged... the engine will crank fine and start, but stop after running lumpy for maybe 5 seconds then not crank again or restart until being left overnight. with the ignition on, the power train? relay R13 clicks madly and there is some other clicking coming from the top of the engine near the throttle body.

ive swapped those relays around it makes no difference. if i pull r13 out the clicking stops.

 

[dimsimnz]

don’t forget to check the fusaeble links on the positive battery terminal

thanks, didnt think of those, ill check them and report back,

 

[Bonus]

Change the battery - a full charge wont help it if its toast, it may show full voltage, but it may no longer have the amps to turn the engine over

 

[dimsimnz]

ok, battery changed. i borrowed a big heavy duty one (700cca) and no change.

Relay R13 (Pwr/Trn) clicking rapidly with ignition turned on
Clicking coming from top of engine (sounds like a valve opening and closing rapidly as its kind of metallic)

The red arrows show where the clicking noise is coming from, stops if I pull Relay 13 - have swapped the adjacent relays around and no change.

Here's a small video of the noise https://www.dropbox.com/s/xdj0glfvnlblier/IMG_2576.MOV?dl=0

 

[lmoengnr]

Its not the throttle body locked in a 'self test' loop?

 

[dimsimnz]

Its not the throttle body locked in a 'self test' loop?

Possibly, although I'm not aware of that process to comment. It does sound like its coming from that area and if there isnt an electrically operated valve or solenoid where ive placed the red arrow on the photo then its likely its coming from the throttle body.

Is this a known issue? Would it stop it from cranking? Any idea how to test or remedy?

 

[Bonus]

Have you tried running a scan tool to see if its thrown any codes?