Rover 400 (1995 - 1999) - 1998 1.4 Will not start! Struggling to turn over.

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Sun 7 Dec 2008 12:13
1998 1.4 Will not start! Struggling to turn over. - hjellis
Hi,

Just a bird I'm afraid, so will do my best to describe. I am just looking for suggestons as to what the problem might be and implications with regards to possible cost to fix, because obviously, I wouldnt know where to start!

Have had car since August, and have never had issue starting. Has been very reliable on cold mornings too. Yet, when came to start it yesterday, was trying to turn over but couldnt manage it. Battery seems fine, ligts and such are working, and when attempting to start the battery light switches itself off. If I push accelerator whilst it is trying to turn over, it momentarily tries a little harder but soon becomes obvious we aren't getting anywhere.
All suggestions very welcome and gratefully received.

Thanks
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Sun 7 Dec 2008 12:19
1998 1.4 Will not start! Struggling to turn over. - Dynamic Dave
Battery seems fine ligts and such are working


The lights take less power to operate than the starter motor does.
and when attempting to start the battery light switches itself off.


By the sounds of it, you either have a poor connection somewhere (bad earth for example) or the battery is flat / past its sell by date.

Try putting the battery on charge and then see if the car will start. Ultimately though it needs testing - which should only be done once its been charged up.
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Sun 7 Dec 2008 14:37
1998 1.4 Will not start! Struggling to turn over. - Number_Cruncher
One thing to check on these is the condition of the heavy braided connection between th output of the starter solenoid, and the starter motor itself. I've seen them corrode badly.
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Sun 7 Dec 2008 14:51
1998 1.4 Will not start! Struggling to turn over. - topbloke
a jump start would confirm a flat battery or a starter issue, once its started then you need to get the alternator tested if thats okay, need to test battery, if thats okay then you will need to check that all the interior lights have been turned of "boot light stuck on is a favorite" to test leave the boot shut and fold the back seat down and look to see if the light is on, temp fix would be to remove the bulb, if there all okay then its a test to see if something else staying alive and causeing the flat battery issue Regards TB
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Sun 7 Dec 2008 15:41
1998 1.4 Will not start! Struggling to turn over. - hjellis
Thanks guys, fingers crossed it is just the battery coz that I can deal with. Now...to find someone to share their car battery.

Thanks again
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Sun 7 Dec 2008 18:49
1998 1.4 Will not start! Struggling to turn over. - ex-Triumph man
Don't forget you will need to dig out the radio code after disconnecting/renewing the battery. It should be recorded on a little card in the owners handbook pack.
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