Car won't start - battery is ok

[XMeggyX]

Hi guys,

Just wondering if anyone has run into a similar issue and might be able to lend a hand.

My 2015 Megane Gt-line auto broke down a few days ago. It threw up every error message under the sun, the daytime running lights were strobing, and the entire dash was flashing on and off. Roadside assistance jumped me on arrival and I was off.

However, I've broken down again today. A jump/charge hasn't worked and the thing won't even click. The charge restored some capacity to lock the engine, some accessories function, and some do not.

The steering wheel doesn't release when the key is in either.

Roadside assistance attended once more and checked the battery - which is apparently fine (though doesn't show the green light for what it's worth).

Has this happened to anyone? I'm thinking it's the starter or a fuse?

 

[andybond]

Sounds suspiciously like a knackered battery to me.

Do you have a multimeter?

 

[XMeggyX]

Sounds suspiciously like a knackered battery to me.

Do you have a multimeter?

That's what I thought - the battery is sort of new (1.5 yrs), so I had a battery tech from the company I bought it from drive over.

They claim that the battery is in good health. I'm just not sure how accurate the read was given that I'd attempted to charge it prior to their arrival. I don't know if that makes a difference or not, or what a battery health check actually measures.

 

[DaveL485]

Remount the terminals and give them a clean, make sure they're tight. Check your main earth strap (you can use a jump lead as an extra earth for testing purposes)

 

[XMeggyX]

Remount the terminals and give them a clean, make sure they're tight. Check your main earth strap (you can use a jump lead as an extra earth for testing purposes)

I have another roadside tech coming out to have a look and run some diagnostics.

 

[XMeggyX]

So it looks like disconnecting the earth for a minute or two has allowed the car to start... What the?

 

[Big Steve - Raider]

So it looks like disconnecting the earth for a minute or two has allowed the car to start... What the?

Good earths are very important for these modern cars… worthwhile giving the whole area a look over…