for the last couple of days my 91 omega 3.2 has made a little chirp noise when i turn the ignition on and the turn over was slow. today it made the same little chirp noise and tried to turn over but stopped. now the started is just clicking so i pressume the battery is dead. why is this or is the imobiliser f**d. i really need help. i am in brussels and supposed to be on the 1205 ferry back to the uk on the 4th

Chirping is the power sounder complaining that battery voltage is low so could be the battery dying. Whether that's because the battery is at the end of its' life, it's not being charged properly, or something is draining it when the car is parked up requires further diagnosis.

This is what you need to do:  http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1225724099

I appreciate that it's not the easiest set of tests to do when stranded but a cheap multimeter from a hypermarket will tell you all you need to know.

Failing that, get a jump start and keep a set of jump leads in the boot. If, after a jump start, you can turn on a good amount of electrical load without the engine dying the chances are it'll get you to the ferry as long as you don't stop the engine!

The crimp connector at the battery positive terminal can be problematic and is something that's easily fixed. Check that this is not getting hot with the engine running and that the crimp where the large cable from the engine attaches is not loose.

Kevin

It`s possible that it`s either the starter motor or solenoid, you`d be able to tell if it was the battery just by trying the lights.
Have you tried bump starting it down a hill or with the help of some kind strangers?
Might be worth a try just to get you going.

thanks mate, soon as my flat mate comes home i will be scouring belgium for jump leads. i just have to get on the ferry. the rac can take me the rest of the way


Kevin Wood wrote on 30. Apr 2011 at 14:52:

Chirping is the power sounder complaining that battery voltage is low so could be the battery dying. Whether that's because the battery is at the end of its' life, it's not being charged properly, or something is draining it when the car is parked up requires further diagnosis. This is what you need to do:  http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1225724099 I appreciate that it's not the easiest set of tests to do when stranded but a cheap multimeter from a hypermarket will tell you all you need to know. Failing that, get a jump start and keep a set of jump leads in the boot. If, after a jump start, you can turn on a good amount of electrical load without the engine dying the chances are it'll get you to the ferry as long as you don't stop the engine! The crimp connector at the battery positive terminal can be problematic and is something that's easily fixed. Check that this is not getting hot with the engine running and that the crimp where the large cable from the engine attaches is not loose. Kevin

Mr Gav wrote on 30. Apr 2011 at 14:54:

.... Have you tried bump starting it down a hill or with the help of some kind strangers?....

It's an Elite Gav, chances are it's got a proper 2 pedal gearbox fitted!  ::) ::) ::)  ;D ;D ;D

its an auto, so even though its on top of a hill for a good bump start, i just cant do it


Mr Gav wrote on 30. Apr 2011 at 14:54:

It`s possible that it`s either the starter motor or solenoid, you`d be able to tell if it was the battery just by trying the lights. Have you tried bump starting it down a hill or with the help of some kind strangers? Might be worth a try just to get you going.

Rayviator wrote on 30. Apr 2011 at 14:58:

its an auto, so even though its on top of a hill for a good bump start, i just cant do it Mr Gav wrote on 30. Apr 2011 at 14:54: It`s possible that it`s either the starter motor or solenoid, you`d be able to tell if it was the battery just by trying the lights. Have you tried bump starting it down a hill or with the help of some kind strangers? Might be worth a try just to get you going.

Told you so Gav  ;) ;) ;) ;) :y

andy knows his stuff


Andy B wrote on 30. Apr 2011 at 14:59:

Rayviator wrote on 30. Apr 2011 at 14:58: its an auto, so even though its on top of a hill for a good bump start, i just cant do it Mr Gav wrote on 30. Apr 2011 at 14:54: It`s possible that it`s either the starter motor or solenoid, you`d be able to tell if it was the battery just by trying the lights. Have you tried bump starting it down a hill or with the help of some kind strangers? Might be worth a try just to get you going. Told you so Gav  ;) ;) ;) ;) :y

Rayviator wrote on 30. Apr 2011 at 15:02:

andy knows his stuff Andy B wrote on 30. Apr 2011 at 14:59: Rayviator wrote on 30. Apr 2011 at 14:58: its an auto, so even though its on top of a hill for a good bump start, i just cant do it Mr Gav wrote on 30. Apr 2011 at 14:54: It`s possible that it`s either the starter motor or solenoid, you`d be able to tell if it was the battery just by trying the lights. Have you tried bump starting it down a hill or with the help of some kind strangers? Might be worth a try just to get you going. Told you so Gav  ;) ;) ;) ;) :y

We have a long standing 'debate'  about auto's being the gearbox of choice.  ;) ;) ;)

Andy B wrote on 30. Apr 2011 at 15:08:

Rayviator wrote on 30. Apr 2011 at 15:02: andy knows his stuff Andy B wrote on 30. Apr 2011 at 14:59: Rayviator wrote on 30. Apr 2011 at 14:58: its an auto, so even though its on top of a hill for a good bump start, i just cant do it Mr Gav wrote on 30. Apr 2011 at 14:54: It`s possible that it`s either the starter motor or solenoid, you`d be able to tell if it was the battery just by trying the lights. Have you tried bump starting it down a hill or with the help of some kind strangers? Might be worth a try just to get you going. Told you so Gav  ;) ;) ;) ;) :y We have a long standing 'debate'  about auto's being the gearbox of choice.  ;) ;) ;)

i belive you are right. as i spend my time arguing with my car about how it should work up and down germany and belgium, i feel the auto is a godsend to make driving nice

Yup, auto's rule.  :y

Andy B wrote on 30. Apr 2011 at 15:08:

Rayviator wrote on 30. Apr 2011 at 15:02: andy knows his stuff Andy B wrote on 30. Apr 2011 at 14:59: Rayviator wrote on 30. Apr 2011 at 14:58: its an auto, so even though its on top of a hill for a good bump start, i just cant do it Mr Gav wrote on 30. Apr 2011 at 14:54: It`s possible that it`s either the starter motor or solenoid, you`d be able to tell if it was the battery just by trying the lights. Have you tried bump starting it down a hill or with the help of some kind strangers? Might be worth a try just to get you going. Told you so Gav  ;) ;) ;) ;) :y We have a long standing 'debate'  about auto's being the gearbox of choice.  ;) ;) ;)

Just one more reason for the manual Andy, c`mon you know deep down that it makes sense  ;) ;D

Mr Gav wrote on 30. Apr 2011 at 18:20:

..... Just one more reason for the manual Andy, c`mon you know deep down that it makes sense  ;) ;D

I think you'll find that's the very reason why all good auto drivers buy themselves a decent set of jump leads so that they can jump start the manuals with flat batteries at the bottom of the hill.  ;) ;) ;) ;)
Mine have proved themselves invaluable over the years.  :y :y :y :y

Andy B wrote on 30. Apr 2011 at 18:25:

Mr Gav wrote on 30. Apr 2011 at 18:20: ..... Just one more reason for the manual Andy, c`mon you know deep down that it makes sense  ;) ;D I think you'll find that's the very reason why all good auto drivers buy themselves a decent set of jump leads so that they can jump start the manuals with flat batteries at the bottom of the hill.  ;) ;) ;) ;) Mine have proved themselves invaluable over the years.  :y :y :y :y

;D ;D ;D ;D

Andy B wrote on 30. Apr 2011 at 18:25:

Mr Gav wrote on 30. Apr 2011 at 18:20: ..... Just one more reason for the manual Andy, c`mon you know deep down that it makes sense  ;) ;D I think you'll find that's the very reason why all good auto drivers buy themselves a decent set of jump leads so that they can jump start the manuals with flat batteries at the bottom of the hill.  ;) ;) ;) ;) Mine have proved themselves invaluable over the years.  :y :y :y :y

Jump leads are no good if you`re on your own smart @rse  ;D ;D ;D

Mr Gav wrote on 01. May 2011 at 18:55:

.... Jump leads are no good if you`re on your own smart @rse  ;D ;D ;D

Neither is trying to bump start your manual when you're at the bottom of the hill and you're on your own!  ::) ::) ::)

Andy B wrote on 01. May 2011 at 19:09:

Mr Gav wrote on 01. May 2011 at 18:55: .... Jump leads are no good if you`re on your own smart @rse  ;D ;D ;D Neither is trying to bump start your manual when you're at the bottom of the hill and you're on your own!  ::) ::) ::)

Stalemate  ;D

Mr Gav wrote on 02. May 2011 at 21:16:

Andy B wrote on 01. May 2011 at 19:09: Mr Gav wrote on 01. May 2011 at 18:55: .... Jump leads are no good if you`re on your own smart @rse  ;D ;D ;D Neither is trying to bump start your manual when you're at the bottom of the hill and you're on your own!  ::) ::) ::) Stalemate  ;D

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D