Starter motor not turning

Derek Nicol

Well-known user
Hi y'all. Went to start car (1981) and got rapid clicking sound the first few tries. Now getting silence.
Battery is kept on a conditioning charger.
Tried persuading the starter with a lump hammer a few times but still nothing.
Any suggestions?
 

Chuffer

CCCUK regional rep
Sounds like the battery to me if you now have silence after rapid clicking stopped . Have you checked all terminals in case that is a quick fix .
I bought an expensive new Bosch battery for the Hemi Grand Cherokee in March this year and it lasted just three months . It went from performing perfectly ok to totally dead in two days ! The battery was duff . !!
 

Derek Nicol

Well-known user
You may be right, its taking a suspiciously long time charging back up to get to 'ready & maintaining' when its basically done nothing... hmm...
 

Derek Nicol

Well-known user
Sorry i didnt update but having messed about for ages until i was really late i decided to jump in the milk float and go anyway, i saw lots of classics going the other way having left Towcester going home. So, what else can go wrong?.. well, Teslas may have a lot of computing power but they still aint smart enough to know that the country lane i was on leading to Towcester is closed for roadworks at Shutlanger. Following a big detour i finally got there to a half empty showfield. Chatted to Mr & Mrs Chuffer, a quick look around, met Letank and his Red 73 and its time to go home again.
Oh yes, my Vette, i took the 12v battery out of my other milk float (eNV200 combi van) and connected it up using jump leads, no joy. Having disconnected it again i then noticed that when i turn the ignition on the Vette voltmeter was only reading 8 volts (why didnt i check that earlier). Chuffer was right, new side post required.
 

Roscobbc

Moderator
Side post batteries are available in the UK - perhaps try an American car specialist (for new side post - or battery?) or someone like Tayna, will possibly be more expensive?. Most people will have probably 'converted' over to top post batteries - simple job. Buy new battery clamps and hacksaw off old side connector terminals and using clamp screws on the new items simply tighten-up (as much as you can to avoid any 'resistance') - before doing that perhaps get the battery checked or put a multi-meter across it. Earthing issues are quite common with older Vettes.
 

Derek Nicol

Well-known user
Well, that was easy.. my local Battery suppliers half a mile from my house had them in stock.
They tried to test the old battery but it lived up to its brand name and died hard, zero signs of life.
All sorted! Fired up as per usual. This is the new battery...
YBX3780.jpg
 

Mad4slalom

CCCUK Member
Well, that was easy.. my local Battery suppliers half a mile from my house had them in stock.
They tried to test the old battery but it lived up to its brand name and died hard, zero signs of life.
All sorted! Fired up as per usual. This is the new battery...
View attachment 11370
I have a side connector battery , never seen one til i got the vette. Glad you sorted your issue and good to know they are available over here. 👍
 

Derek Nicol

Well-known user
Weird how they can seem fine one day and commit suicide the next.
I wonder if the slow discharge will stop now, i thought it was the cars fault but maybe not.
 

Roscobbc

Moderator
Yuasa despite not being a name known to many have a very long history in the UK of supplying lead acid cells for fire, intruder and other commercial applications. Have one on my Vette
 

Daytona Vette

Well-known user
Yuasa despite not being a name known to many have a very long history in the UK of supplying lead acid cells for fire, intruder and other commercial applications. Have one on my Vette
If you have a Commercial Fire / Intruder Alarm system in your Vette Ross - you now need a good Sprinkler system
 

Chuffer

CCCUK regional rep
Weird how they can seem fine one day and commit suicide the next.
I wonder if the slow discharge will stop now, i thought it was the cars fault but maybe not.
If you have a slow discharge , I would see a doctor if i were you . :LOL: On a less serious note , my battery is conventional top post terminals . Connecting up to side posts must be a real fiddle inside the battery cubby .
 

Derek Nicol

Well-known user
If you have a slow discharge , I would see a doctor if i were you . :LOL: On a less serious note , my battery is conventional top post terminals . Connecting up to side posts must be a real fiddle inside the battery cubby .

:eek: You'll lose NCRS points for that!!.. oh, hold on.. bodykit, engine, wheels, paint... forget i said anything.. ;) :LOL:
 
Top