car wont start

[Funkyyellowgibbon]

Hi all

I have a GT3 that started ok this morning but now ive gone back to the car 7 hours later she won't start. The battery seems ok (boot lights are fully illuminated) but when i turn the ignition on I get a buzzing noise from a compartment next to the engine. When i remove the key the buzzing continues until i disconnect the battery. I undid the screws and theres a black 'motor' inside white spongy material. Could anyone enlighten me to what this is and I presume it will have to be replaced.

Thanks in advance

Ash

[mangel]

It probably the vacuum pump. Are there small tubes coming out of it?

[Funkyyellowgibbon]

Yes theres a couple. Would this actually prevent the car from turning over as theres no life in her whatsoever apart from the buzzing noise and a loud whine coming from the cockpit (to do with the alarm no doubt)

Ive looked on the web for images and its is the vacuum pump but whether thats stopping the car from starting is another question. I washed the car the other day so may be some water went where i didn't want it to go.

[fflyingdog]

The vacuum pump wont prevent the car from starting,and as you say it is buzzing so it looks like it is running,are you sure your battery is good ?boot lights draw next to nothing and can still appear to be bright even with a discharged battery.try jumping and find out what/where the whining noise is coming from,is it the alarm klaxon?remember the alarm is self powered from a built in power pack.I don't understand why though the vac pump continues to run even with ignition off ,maybe you have a relay stuck,again try giving the relay nest a technical clout.Its only a car with the same basic necessities as any other car,simplest things first.Good luck let us know how you get on.

Cheers

Nick S4s

[Bibs]

Popping the lights is a decent way to see if the battery has any juice.

[Tentenths]

Ignition on > headlights on > what happens?

If battery's dead/dying they'll either not lift at all or will do so very slowly and out of sync.

Edited August 8, 2008 by Tentenths
Spooky!

[Funkyyellowgibbon]

Panic over folks

The line to the negative terminal of the battery is completely severed Couldn't see it down there in the gloom. Not much to play with but at least thats all it is. I disconnected the battery last week when i went on holiday and it was probably hanging by a thread and that was the final straw

Thanks for all your help and suggestions

Ash

[fflyingdog]

Simplist things first ! Well done

Nick S4s

Edited August 8, 2008 by fflyingdog