Lights on but not turning over - URGENT

[smee]

We go on holiday in the Elise on Thursday, just tried to start the car tonight and nothing....
It has been outside in some quite heavy rain showers, I've recently fitted a radio but did not cut any wires. Tonight I was fitting a new battery, a standard sized battery to replace the old gel battery as recommended by Craig at Murrays, at no point did I get the terminals mixed up.
Went to start the car, lights on dash come up, press the immobiliser fob, hear the fuel pump prime then nothing happens, no click, no attempt to turn over
Bit worried as we are supposed to leave on Thursay, I still have loads to get organised and I'm on call Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[C7Steve]

Andrew,

This might help you;

http://www.scottishelises.com/phpbb/vie ... =2&t=30813

Hopefully Robin will be along soon to help.


Steve.

[smee]

Thanks Steve, I remembered reading this before but couldn't find it.

[smee]

Steve, which fuse did you change?

[graeme]

Solved this yet? What are the symptoms?

Does it start if you jump-lead from the Slowda? (i.e. is the battery duff?)
Do the headlights dim when you crank it? (i.e. it's trying, but there's not enough juice to turn the starter)

[smee]

Battery charged, also same symptoms with the old battery after swapping back. Craig reckons fuse has blown, will try to nip back at lunch and short the starter

[C7Steve]

Steve, which fuse did you change?

It was the starter motor fuse. In the S2 it was behind a small plastic enclosure within the engine bay. I am not sure where the fuse position is for an S1 though?

Craig from MMC pinpointed the problem very quickly.


Steve.

[tut]

30 amp, left hand side near the boot partition.

tut

[smee]

Thought of checked all the fuses but missed the one that had blown, ignition services fuse, 10a in the front. Thanks for your help, the short circuiting of the starter motor worked.

[C7Steve]

Have a good holiday.


Steve.

[Dominic]

Begs the question - why did the fuse blow?.... maybe take some spares with you?

[smee]

Think changing the battery was the culprit but rest assured I'll be adding fuses to the list of spares

[C7Steve]

Begs the question - why did the fuse blow?.... maybe take some spares with you?

My fuse only blew the once and don't know why, also carry a couple of spares now too.


Steve.

[tut]

If the fuses keep blowing, put a nail across the contacts.

tut

ps:- but have a fire extinguisher handy.

[robin]

You can always short the starter to get it running anyway, should the fuse continue to blow.