Engine does not crank after flat battery

Technical Area Engine, Transmission, Exhaust etc
1
  1. My model of MX-5 is: nc
  2. I’m based near: Hertford
  3. I’m looking for technical help or recommendations on: starting the engine after battery has been left to discharge for months.

A friend of mine is selling their low mileage, 2009, nc, MX-5. I am considering taking it of his hand. He has not been able to drive it for about a year due to a fall and a bleed on the brain, and has now been told he can no longer drive.

Anyway, the battery discharged completely in the time he was in hospital. I have charged the battery and it has been on a ctek battery reconditioner for several days. It now has around 13volts at the battery.

However, on turning the key, the dash comes to life, but turning the key to start does nothing. No clicks, no cranking, nothing.

The car was working perfectly before the battery drained.

What should I be looking for? Would the key need to be synced to the car again? Any suggestions would be very welcome.

Thanks in advance.

Dave

2

The battery may be knackered if its sat discharged for a long period, measuring voltage can sometimes confuse you. Check the terminals are not corroded and making good contact to the battery.

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3

Check the voltage while you are cranking, I suspect it will drop significantly. Why not get some jump leads on it and see what happens.
:heart:

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4

Hi Mad_Malc,

I will check the battery again.

When I go to crank the engine absolutely nothing happens, no clicking of solenoids or relays, no starter motor, nothing. I thoutht that with a little charge in the battery there would be a little click of relay or solenoid.

Thanks for your response.

5

Have you checked the fuses?

6

No, not yet.

I will do when I am next go round. But why would they blow whilst sitting doing nothing?

Perhaps some rodents have paid a visit…

7

Anything possible, hooking up the charger to the battery is one. There’s a starter fuse and a room fuse, if it’s the room fuse it takes out the interior light, check if that works.:+1:

8

Hi,

Thank you for the response and advice.

I went to see the car again today, tried to staty it and it fired first time and ran perfectly.

Not sure why it didn’t start last time.

Looks like I shall be the owner of an MX-5 very shortly.

Thanks again

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