1997 S40 No start, flickering dash

Jul 23rd, 2004, 23:43

No problems at all with ma big 2.0CD until yesterday !

Having just had a short journey of approx 5 miles, i switched off the engine and left the car to go shoppping.

I returned about 10 mins later and jumped in to find that nothing happened !!!! I turned the key, and nuthin. No noises, just a faint flicker of the dash lights, some of which danced at different light intensity.

The "LAMDA" sign was flickering, and i thought ' OH CRAP ' here we go. I popped the bonnet, and had a wee look in, i had left the keys in the ignition but doors open and ignition fully off.
I disconnected the -ve terminal to give it a clean and then the +ve. Just as i reconnected the +ve, i heard a noise to find that the Car had central locked itself !!!, with Sunroof open, key in ignition, me outside and rain beckoning !

So, long story-short... Got spare key and towed her home. Today, i go investing.. I get 12.??volts acorss batt...So ?? I change swap battery anyway with 2nd car, and get the same stuff.

Start to think about duffed starter or "BAD EARTH", so i start tracking the wires to clean up the earth points.

I remove the lowermost part of the -ve lead on the engine block from below, I stand up, and pull it thro' to clean, when i hear a strange cracking soung, a gentle pull at the cable and it comes away in my hand !!!, It had totally corroded through at its 1st earthing to Car body, just behind battery.

Having replaced cable, it starts better all is well again, and i didn't give it to a garage and spend £ xxx having someone miss it for me !

Just to let u know in advance.. there is no protective plastic at this point and it slowly corrods....do yourselves a favour and look no so u don't get caught out when u are away from home... get the copper grease on now if its OK !!!!

Oh, my mobile phone battery had just run out too !!!

Happy Days.

Hope this saves u the crap day i had !!

SD.

vjck_uk · Jul 24th, 2004, 10:54

I always carry a spare key in case anything like this happens.
All I have done is to get a none encrypted key cut (£6.00)and cut off the plastic end and then it fits in the wallet ok.
Vaughan

Jul 23rd, 2004, 23:43	#1
RIGGER Guest Location:	1997 S40 No start, flickering dash No problems at all with ma big 2.0CD until yesterday ! Having just had a short journey of approx 5 miles, i switched off the engine and left the car to go shoppping. I returned about 10 mins later and jumped in to find that nothing happened !!!! I turned the key, and nuthin. No noises, just a faint flicker of the dash lights, some of which danced at different light intensity. The "LAMDA" sign was flickering, and i thought ' OH CRAP ' here we go. I popped the bonnet, and had a wee look in, i had left the keys in the ignition but doors open and ignition fully off. I disconnected the -ve terminal to give it a clean and then the +ve. Just as i reconnected the +ve, i heard a noise to find that the Car had central locked itself !!!, with Sunroof open, key in ignition, me outside and rain beckoning ! So, long story-short... Got spare key and towed her home. Today, i go investing.. I get 12.??volts acorss batt...So ?? I change swap battery anyway with 2nd car, and get the same stuff. Start to think about duffed starter or "BAD EARTH", so i start tracking the wires to clean up the earth points. I remove the lowermost part of the -ve lead on the engine block from below, I stand up, and pull it thro' to clean, when i hear a strange cracking soung, a gentle pull at the cable and it comes away in my hand !!!, It had totally corroded through at its 1st earthing to Car body, just behind battery. Having replaced cable, it starts better all is well again, and i didn't give it to a garage and spend £ xxx having someone miss it for me ! Just to let u know in advance.. there is no protective plastic at this point and it slowly corrods....do yourselves a favour and look no so u don't get caught out when u are away from home... get the copper grease on now if its OK !!!! Oh, my mobile phone battery had just run out too !!! Happy Days. Hope this saves u the crap day i had !! SD.

Jul 24th, 2004, 10:54	#2
vjck_uk Premier member Last Online: Jul 29th, 2017 15:54 Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: southern edge of birmingham	RE: 1997 S40 No start, flickering dash I always carry a spare key in case anything like this happens. All I have done is to get a none encrypted key cut (£6.00)and cut off the plastic end and then it fits in the wallet ok. Vaughan

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