Ford Capri Mk3 Not Starting At All

[RhysJames2008]

Hi there,
Im currently restoring a 1986 Capri, me and my mate started it today and reversed it out of the garage, it started first time.
A few hours later upon trying to start the car to return it to the garage it was completely dead, no noise at all when turning the key, not even the starter motor turning.

I'm hoping its just a flat battery because money is low at the moment. We had the radio on in the Capri for a while and the interior light because the boot was open.
I also tried the wipers and they were moving very slowly. Is this a flat battery?

Thanks all for reading.
Rhys James

 

[Stivino]

It certainly sounds like a flat battery. Have you got another one that you could put on to double check?

 

[RhysJames2008]

Unfortunately no, and apparently theyre about £50 - £60, but hopefully I can lend a battery charger/jumpstarter, will that work?

 

[Stivino]

It'll only work if your battery's in good condition and will accept a charge. If not you need a battery.

 

[SeanT]

Once the battery is sorted, if the starter still won't turn the engine over, either give it a good tap with a hammer, or put the car in gear and rock it backwards and forwards, then try and start it again (take it back out of gear first)
Nice fun cars to drive, some work on the rear suspension is a good start if you want to drive one and stay facing the right way though, try an X-frame across the rear leaf springs for starters.
Is it a 2.0 or a 2.8?

 

[RhysJames2008]

She's a 2.0, not the biggest engine but it pulls well.
Picture of the car here at the top of the page: http://www.capripower.co.uk/board/index.php?showtopic=8622

Hopefully, I can get the Capri looking brand new, in fact thats my dream

 

[datarebal]

try the lights , if they are bright it's not the batery..

 

[RhysJames2008]

The sidelights are very dim.
The headlights wont switch on
I dont know whether thats because the battery voltage is too low or because I need to get the engine going (which I cant) for them to switch on.
Thanks

 

[datarebal]

probably because the battery is ucked

 

[SeanT]

Everyso slightly better nick than mine was when I gave up on it (needed too much bodywork)

 

[RhysJames2008]

Wow
Been in the wars a bit that one.
Still, nothing wrong with being a bit rough around the edges.
Thats the great thing about the Capri, despite some rare parts to find in good condition theyre relatively easy to work on if your confident

 

[AlF2008]

I had a C-reg 1.6 Laser a few years back. Good fun car to drive albeit a little underpowered. Fantastic fun in the snow though, made it worth every penny. Was a good reliable car too and had loads of room round the engine for working on it

As others have said, if you can jump start it everything electrical should operate (battery is purely for starting the car or when the engine is off). If you get it started and have a multimeter, put it across the battery terminals and see what the voltage is. It should be somewhere around 13.5-14.0V (or something like that). If not then the alternator could be goosed.

edit: just checked the pic. Very clean looking given the age

 

[RhysJames2008]

Shame you got rid of your Laser Alf2008, don't tend to see so many out on the roads anymore.

Anyway, update... my problem is solved.
I borrowed my girlfriends fathers jumpstart/charger kit and I tried it earlier today, started up perfectly.

Im guessing the battery ran flat because we had the radio on all day with engine off. I may also disconnect the battery when not in use as the immobiliser may be draining some power.

Thanks all for your help.

Rhys

 

[AlF2008]

As I was a student it became a bit expensive for my lifestyle as it wasn't economical to drive or insure. I sold it and bought and Escort instead which I hated for the 2 years I drove it....

Glad you got the battery sorted out. You should disconnect the battery if the car isn't being used and also consider getting a battery charger so you can have it charged and ready to use when required.