Engine Doesn't Start

[blue_xr6]

Hi guys,

After driving my car for about 1hr with a/c today, I stalled my car by accident get off the clutch while parallel parking. After that, I couldn't restart my engine (just hear the click and nothing happened). I thought it was the ECU problem, so I disconnected the battery hopefully to restart the computer but it didn't help. I tried it for a few times and it's still the same, sometimes I still heard the clicking noise after stop trying to start the engine (the key was on ignition). I tried to jump start it from another car, still didn't help.

Does anyone know what problems with my car? Is that the ECU problem or battery? My car is 03 BA and I haven't changed my battery since I got it 3 years ago. Is there any way that we can test if the battery is OK or how to reset the car computer and will I lost my custom tune when reset the car computer?

Any helps will be greatly appreciated coz I left my car on the street now and don't even know who can fix the problems beside Ford Dealers.

[ETM]

That click sound is generally a flat battery, and yes they do just die like that, the stock batteries all die pretty quick and I think you are lucky to have gotten 3 years out of yours.

[tab]

Some get longer, but my genuine Ford batteries have never lasted more than two years.

RACV should be able to have you going again for around $100

[Tree Monkey]

I would bet my left testical that you have a stuffed alternater and there for the batt is flat, the only other thing is if your batt has dropped a cell or 2, but either way whae you get it started again check the batt voltage when it is runing and make sure it is around 13v-14v

[XRDOSE]

when u find out whats wrong with it make sure to let us know! if it aint a buggered alternator we'll b chopping tree monkeys left nut off!!

[PHANTMXR6]

I doubt very much if it's the alternator or the battery.

He tried to jump start it with another car remember.

It might be something more menacing like the electrical system or the ignition barrel and switch itself.

You don't have an alarm installed do you?

[typhoon_freak]

or it cud just be really dead.. iv had batterys die and not be able to recharge them thru jumping...

[blue_xr6]

Thanks for all your replies. My problem was solved, it was a dead battery. I'm suprised that I couldn't jump start with dead battery. Is it good to jump start the car?

With the new battery, I have the few problems as well. Since I was so excited to bring my car back home, I went to buy a new battery straight away at about 10pm last night after reading your reply. At that time, the only place that still open is K-Mart. From what I know, the more expensive the better the battery is, so I took an Exide one for $142 with 3 years warranty. I brought it to my car (30mins away from that K-Mart) and after about 15mins just to take the factory battery out of the bloody cover box, I found the new battery was too high. Brought it back to K-Mart and I couldn't find one that is the same size (or at least the height) with the factory battery on the Exide brand. There're some but they either had square terminals or opposite +ve and -ve arrangement. I had no choice but took a crap one for $69 with 1 years warranty and I already found it didn't give a good engine start.

Is there any specification for the battery? Is it true that the more expensive the better the battery is? Is the dry cell battery better than the normal one? Which brand (and model number if you can remember) of battery you are using? There is one hose connect to the bottom front of the factory battery cover box, anyone know what is it for. Since I didn't put my new battery into the box, the hose just stay there next to the battery and it doesn't look nice. Can I just cut it off and throw it away?

[XRDOSE]

ive got an RACV battery 550cca with 3yr warranty been in there for at least 2yrs now and car has never failed to start first pop even on the coldest of mornings!

[Buf-Phoon]

or it cud just be really dead.. iv had batterys die and not be able to recharge them thru jumping...

any collapsed cells and they are rooted beyond help