Help ugently needed - can't start!

[hornmeister2000]

HELP! I can't start the Maestro and it's a bit of a mystery problem!

For a couple of weeks, the battery light's been glowing when I've been driving along. It's been brighter the faster I've gone. It's also been intermittent. Anyway, tonight it didn't glow at all, but whenever I STOPPED the engine (ie removed keys from ignition), it lit up. I went somewhere for about an hour, came out, the light was still lit but it started fine. I then drove home, stopped outside the house, and when I tried to start it again to put it up the driveway it wouldn't start. It just kept clicking. I got some help to bump start it and although the engine started briefly, it was only a few seconds and in the end we had to push it back UP the hill to my house and I can't get it up our steep driveway. After a few goes at this, it won't even click now.

My original thought was the alternator, but it should at least start when pushed, shouldn't it? The only other thing, is that I have an autowatch immobiliser fitted. Could that be the cause?

I'm tempted to go down the scrapyard and get an alternator (or a Rover dealer) but would I be better off just getting the RAC to take me to a garage?

Any help gratefully received...

Neil

[tony]

i bet if you had felt the alternator it would be warm,i think your rectifier has packed up,time for a new alternator,the power from the battery has escaped though the alternator, a rechage and new alternator and things will be better,the intera light wont even come on in the morning,am i waffling, ok i am going :banghead: :laugh: :laugh:

[hornmeister2000]

Thanks Tony. The interior light wasn't on this morning, but that was because I disconnected the battery last night! However, I think the battery's now drained anyway. The only thing is, the guy next door to me said that even with a knackered alternator and dead battery, although I would have thought it wouldn't because there'd be no-where to get a spark from. However, he was certain it should have started.

[Maria]

The exact same thing happened to me. It was the alternator that caused the light to stay on, but by the time I got a new alternator, it had knackered the battery. You'd be safest replacing both if possible.

[G Force]

Originally posted by hornmeister2000
Thanks Tony. The interior light wasn't on this morning, but that was because I disconnected the battery last night! However, I think the battery's now drained anyway. The only thing is, the guy next door to me said that even with a knackered alternator and dead battery, although I would have thought it wouldn't because there'd be no-where to get a spark from. However, he was certain it should have started.

Hi there. sorry but there is no way that you will start the car with a faulty altenator and flat battery.

As already mentioned replace altenator and try recharge battery.

cheers gary

[hornmeister2000]

I thought it shouldn't bump start either, as it needs electricity for the spark. Anyway, I think I'll fit a new alternator at the weekend (I imagine you just take one out and put the other in?) and call the RAC to start me. By the way, do all Maestros have the same one or does it have to come from an MG (not easy to find scrapped and therefore will require a new one from Rover)?

[MaestroMatt]

Your neighbour is half right - it will bump start with a totally dead battery as the alternator will provide a current as soon as it starts turning but if the alternator is knackered or the belt is slipping a huge amount then you don't have a chance! You could probably jump start it but as soon as you disconnected the jump leads it would fade and die again. It is a bolt-off bolt-on part - you might as well replace the drive-belt while you're at it - and the whole job will take about 30 minutes which I reckon is half the number of pounds it will probably cost you! If you can find a place that sells cheap alternators, I would love to know about it. PartCo, of all places, charge the Earth for a Maestro one.

[H48HPE]

You need to find out what other cars had the same alternator then you can get one from a scrap yard. some fords use the same alternator as on my 1.3 for example, as well as other austin rover cars no doubt. get the alternator off and drive round to as many scrappers as you can, preferbly the big ones with lots of parts on shelf. then the scrap man can take your alternator and get a similar one not necesarily off a maestro. chances are its the same one as is on 2.0 montego, rover 820 etc. or possibly a siera or granada?

andy

[hornmeister2000]

That's the really irritating thing. If I can't start it, I can't drive, and the other car is in the garage being welded! I'll take it with me on the bus and hope for the best...!

[H48HPE]

your other alterative is to get the rectifier repaired by one of those places that overhauls starter motors and alternators, or if u know someone who is in the know about electronics perhaps they could do it for you, im presuming its a case of removing broken diodes and putting new ones in? you could try and DIY if you know what diodes it need and solder new ones in (if its that simple? im not too sure though)

[Beaker]

There is a new alternator on ebay at the moment that says it suitable for 2.0 EFI.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2441605937&category=10414


Lindz

[E_T_V]

Sorry I've been away for a while. Here are a couple of things that may help.

Disconnect the alternatorwiring plug. Charge the battery from another source, or better still get someone with a good battery to connect their battery to it with jump leads. Also check to see that the electrolyte level is ok in the battery. If it is empty it is a sure sign that the alternator has failed causing it to boil the battery dry. (have you noticed how bright all your car bulbs are lately?)

If the battery light lights then I think I know what the problem is and it isn't the alternator or battery.

If it doesn't light then it is most likely the alternator that has gone.

If the light stays on, undo the fuse box and pull the relays out one by one until the light goes off. Then change this relay for another one, (you can swap it for something non critical for a while till you get a new one) don't plug the old one back in. Relays have been known to stick "on" which will also drain the battery and give symptoms of alternator death and other weird things.

Just a thought to bear in mind before condeming it although it does sound like your rectifier has gone on the alternator to me.