FLAT Battery

[Corranga]

You can push it forwards no problem.
When you try to push it backwards, in neutral, it doesn't, only moves far enough for the starter to move one revolution by the sounds of it. Should I have tried pushing it backwards whilst in Reverse gear?
I only wanted to push it backwards into a space in front of my parents house after running it down a slope trying to bump it.

I will be giving it a jump start with leads later tonight once i finish work so will let you know.

I'm still curious to why i couldn't push it backwards. from memory, other cars can be pushed backwards in neutral.

If the car is in neutral, you should be able to push it as far as you physically can, either forwards or backwards surely?
I also reckon the starter can't have much to do with that.
Even if the starter gearing was stuck in the 'engaged' position, with the gearbox in neutral there is no link between it and the wheels...

I'm no expert, but I'm fairly certain that you *REALLY* don't want to try bump starting it
someone will be along soon to clarify and maybe even say why (or tell me i'm an idiot and that you can do it all you like )

Chris

[mac]

There's no real reason not to bump start the car - it's not an automatic.


Mac

[ROSSGR]

So why could i not push it backwards?

[neil]

So why could i not push it backwards?

Have you had your weetabix?

[Shug]

So why could i not push it backwards?

No logical reason in the world I can think of unless you've got something floating about in the gearbox. Is there even a slight slope? Not calling you a dafty here, just that it's easy not to notice slight slopes that might make the car worse to move one way than the other...

[s29ttc]

Push my Elise backwards a few times no problem. Used to do it a lot pulling it out to wash it because it was pointless starting the car to move it 5 metres. Not technical minded about cars but know its definately possible without much effort, I am built like the side of a fiver. Unless your on a slope I cant see there being any reason for it

[Neil72]

There's no real reason not to bump start the car - it's not an automatic.


Mac

I thought you shouldn't bump start a car fitted with a cat, or is that an urban myth ?

[fd]

Bump/Tow starting and realising it's not going to start after a short attempt won't do any harm, towing it 40 miles in gear hoping it'll start is likely to cause problems . . . because most people have no idea how or why the engineering side of things work and you have to assume the lowest common denominator in terms of owner the manufacturers cover themselves by saying don't bump start it . . .

It wont roll backwards because the brakes are sticking, sometimes they stick more one way than the other, that and being built 'like the side of a fiver' and it doesn't take much brake drag to render it immovable . . .

Fd

[Edin430]

Surely it should still roll back the cars weigh nothing??? I pushed my old BM E46 backwards once by the nose no problems even with the brakes stuck a bit... So hard actually that the car moved away from me and I fell flat on my face But I'm quite a big lad.. And a tool - according to Mark (I fixed that problem right after you mentioned that btw mate )

Was talking to Ali last night about brakes sticking and he said it's a lot worse with standard pads - so maybe something to upgrade

Oh and heard good reviews about http://www.carbatteryshop.co.uk/m-Lotus ... -I115.html in case your battery is gubbed!

[mgf]

My battery was flat last week and I connected the charger to it for an hour and it started. I did not disconnect the battery leads - should they be disconnected when on the charger?

[fd]

If it weighed 1 Kg but there was sufficient friction you still would not be able to push it . . . weight is somewhat irrelevant, it's friction that stops it moving . . .

Fd

[fd]

My battery was flat last week and I connected the charger to it for an hour and it started. I did not disconnect the battery leads - should they be disconnected when on the charger?

Most people would say yes, but I've charged so many cars without disconnecting anything that I wouldn't expect a problem . . . in theory if the battery has certain faults (say an internal mechanical or cell failure which means it's open circuit for example) you could damage things like the radio or other electronics, but these days I doubt it . . . I'd say you were safe enough leaving everything connected . . .

When I'm working away and get home I give the Audi battery a charge before starting it to give it an easy life . . . I just hook the charger up and leave it for a few hours . . . The elise sits on a charger all the time it's not being used . . .

Fd

[ROSSGR]

Connected leads up, left for 10minutes, started no problem.

Regarding the not moving backwards issue, it had nothing to do with strength, there were two of us!!!!

It was like it was in gear and the starter was clicking over, that was what was stoppin gthe car from gaining any momentum.

Running now anyway. signed up to AA breakdown/parts/labour cover so hopefully no further problems in the near future, just need to put more miles on it

[mac]

since you've not worked out the answer i'll tell you.

when your brakes were stuck on and were released by givivg the
car a jolt some of the pad material transfered from pad to disc leavivg
a dirty spot. this would let you move a rotation in
either direction before catching the pad, moving it in the caliper before jamming too
tight to be pushed past

[ROSSGR]

But........it moved forward freely, no dirty spot.............