stuck on road side, 3200 cannot start. need help.

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timkee330ci

New Member
Messages
122
Drove for ten minutes. Stopped by road side, switched off engine. Came back after 30 mins, cant start car. Tried jump atart with big battery but failed. Interior light dimmed when key turns, starter make one click then stopped, what can i try??
Many thanks.
 
CatmanV2

CatmanV2

Member
Messages
48,969
Doubt that's it. I recall the engine will spin even if the CODE is not activated. Does sound like dead battery.

C
 
CatmanV2

CatmanV2

Member
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48,969
And the lights are dimming. Pretty much has to be starter or battery I'd have thought.

C
 
hodroyd

hodroyd

Member
Messages
14,150
If lights are dimming a lot on start attempts, you have either a duff battery, or a short somewhere, maybe on the starter motor. Normally you will get a number of clicks if the battery is just short charge and will not turn the starter, you sound to have a dodgy battery. If you get a good battery, try disconnecting the old one completely from the system and using the replacement only, just in case the old battery has an internal short itself..!!
 
conaero

conaero

Forum Owner
Messages
34,692
Lock the car, unlock the car, try again.

I have seen it many a time on a 3200. That is assuming the engine turns over.

If it just click, click, click when you try, you have a flat battery.

Also if none of that works, turn on the ignition then press the fuel rail valve on that runs along the top of the injectors. The fuel, if you have pressure, should jet out at very high speed, just watch your eyes.

Other than that, failed TDC sensor can cause hot restart issues, but it sounds like battery or code lock.
 
Almichie

Almichie

Junior Member
Messages
799
What's the oil level like?

If it started before you left then the battery is likely ok, especially when you consider that the window would have to drop to allow you in and then reset into the closed position when you enter exit the car. The draw on this is considerable.

I suspect either the starter motor has seized, is stuck or the engine has seized which is why it won't turn over.
 
BennyD

BennyD

Sea Urchin Pate
Messages
15,008
It sounds like a duff battery or just another kn4ckered 3200. BTW, my oil pump is still fine at the moment.
 
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timkee330ci

New Member
Messages
122
Hello all,
First thanks a lot for all the input. I have tried the following but still failed to start:
1. jumpt start with a battery
2. jump start with a battery on a running car
3. put into R gear, let the car roll down hill a bit, stopped and then re-jumpstart, still no good.

Sometimes the starter made one click, but now it makes continuous clicks unless i let go the key. I made about 50 attempts in 4 hours by road side. I will try to buy a new battery and try again.
something i am worried is, would i damage the gear that is coupled to the starter? I mean the one on the drive chain of the car? I am afraid that many attempts would cause some damage.

Additional info: the headlight is bright, windows drop and go back to normal position at normal speed. when i turn the key all lights go dim a lot, when the starter only makes one click. Now when it makes continous clicks, the light doesnt go dim when i turn key.

I am ordering a replacement starter from ebay, but shipping maybe a problem close to Christmas. Need to ship it far away to Hong Kong.
Thank you again all for the thoughts, really appreciate that!
 
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